Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) has launched its Reflect Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), formalising the agency’s commitment to reconciliation and laying the foundations for meaningful and sustainable action.
The Reflect RAP, covering August 2026 to February 2028, has been formally endorsed by Reconciliation Australia and marks an important step in the agency’s reconciliation journey.
Today’s launch on Ngunnawal Country (Canberra) commenced with a moving Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony delivered by Aunty Violet Sheridan and Kane Allan (respectively). Agency staff heard from the SIA CEO, Dr Sarah Benson PSM, as well as a panel of First Nations speakers with close ties to the agency:
- Kaanju man and SIA Culture and Safety Advisor, Patrick Johnson OLY
- Yuin man and Interim SIA Advisory Council Chair, Tim Goodwin
- Yuin woman and SIA Athlete Advisory Group member, Beki Smith OLY.
The RAP recognises the important role sport can play in bringing Australians together and reflects SIA’s commitment to strengthening relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, building cultural understanding and creating opportunities for meaningful action.
SIA CEO, Dr Benson said the RAP reflected the agency’s broader responsibility to promote sporting environments that are safe, fair, inclusive and culturally respectful.
Our RAP demonstrates our commitment to reconciliation, which is underpinned by an understanding that integrity in sport must reflect integrity in relationships.
“Through this RAP, we lay the foundation for meaningful change, building trust, fostering relationships, and creating space for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices in our work.
“Sport can be a powerful platform for reconciliation, and we recognise the role we can play in contributing to efforts to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
“We also recognise the power of sport to unite, to heal, and to lead, and we are determined to ensure that this power is harnessed with respect and integrity for all.”
SIA Culture and Safety Advisor, Patrick Johnson OLY, said the agency’s RAP was about turning commitment into practical action and strengthening cultural safety across sport.
“Our RAP is not a symbolic gesture – it is our commitment to truthful engagement, cultural safety, and practical action,” Mr Johnson said.
“Through shared learning, strong governance and authentic relationships, we will build a sporting landscape where integrity is lived, reconciliation is advanced and every individual can participate, lead and thrive.”
Following the RAP launch, staff came together to place a handprint on a canvas to mark the occasion and show their commitment to the agency’s reconciliation plan, creating a permanent reminder of our commitment to turn the words of our RAP into meaningful action.
As the national agency responsible for promoting fairness, safety and integrity in sport, SIA recognises the opportunity to contribute to reconciliation through how the agency works and engages across Australian sport.
The agency’s Reflect RAP will guide its reconciliation work through to February 2028, with a focus on listening, learning, building relationships, taking action and remaining accountable as its reconciliation journey evolves.
You can find SIA’s Reflect RAP on the 'Reconciliation page' on this website.