On Side

The final episode of our From Clean to Gold: Glasgow 2026 podcast series celebrates what can often be overlooked as part of sporting success: the supporters. After capturing the hearts of Australians with their green-and-gold outfits, infectious energy and viral moments at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Lachlan and Bailey Carter, better known as Those Carter Boys, have become some of Australia's mo...

In Episode 7 of our From Clean to Gold: Glasgow 2026 podcast series, 4-time Commonwealth Games athlete Kyle Vander-Kuyp OLY joins us for a powerful conversation about sport, identity and belonging. A proud Worimi and Yuin man, Kyle reflects on his journey from a young hurdler representing Australia on the world stage to his current role as Cultural Advisor for Commonwealth Games Australia and memb...

As Australia builds towards the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, Tim Gavel sits down with rising para sprint star Jaydon Page and five-time Paralympian Richard Nicholson. Fresh from winning silver at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games as a teenager, Canberra's Jaydon Page shares how he has grown as an athlete, the confidence he is taking into Glasgow, and the role mentors have played in his journey...

In this episode of From Clean to Gold: Glasgow 2026, we share the insights of Australian Para Lawn Bowler James Reynolds, a world champion and 3-time Commonwealth Games representative. Born with severe scoliosis, James spent much of his early years undergoing surgeries and was often told what he couldn't do. After trying a range of sports, he discovered lawn bowls as a teenager and quickly found a...

In this episode of From Clean to Gold: Glasgow 2026, we share the insights of Australian Para lawn bowler James Reynolds, a world champion and 3-time Commonwealth Games representative. Born with severe scoliosis, James spent much of his early years undergoing surgeries and was often told what he couldn't do. After trying a range of sports, he discovered lawn bowls as a teenager and quickly found a...

Although diving won't feature at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, Australian Olympian and Commonwealth Games medallist Sam Fricker knows exactly what it takes to perform on the biggest stages in sport. In this On Side episode of our Commonwealth Games From Clean and Gold: Glasgow 2026 podcast series, Sam reflects on his journey from a young athlete in Newcastle to representing Australia at his...

n this episode of From Clean to Gold: Glasgow 2026, we shine the spotlight on Commonwealth Games debutant Claudia Marcks, one of Australia's rising cycling stars. Claudia's love for her sport and determination have allowed her to carve out her own path in cycling. However, her journey to Glasgow hasn't been travelled alone. In this special family episode, Claudia is joined by her parents – Olympic...

In Episode 1 of our Commonwealth Games series From Clean to Gold: Glasgow 2026, we go behind the scenes with Australian Chef de Mission and Spot Integrity Australia team member, Petria Thomas OLY. A nine-time Commonwealth Games gold medallist turned team leader, Petria, shares what it takes to prepare athletes for one of the world’s biggest sporting stages – balancing performance, pressure and the...

In the final episode of our Online Safety in Sport series, we look ahead to what it will take to create safer sporting environments for everyone. Joined by eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman-Grant PSM and Sport Integrity Australia CEO Dr Sarah Benson PSM, we explore how leadership accountability, cross-sector collaboration and system-wide action can drive lasting change. From embedding online safety...

In this episode of On Side, we centre the human experience of online abuse. Olympic sport climber, Campbell Harrison OLY, reflects on the overwhelming wave of global homophobic abuse he received after a single social media post, while Rowing Australia CEO, Sarah Cook OLY, shares the realities of navigating sustained harassment and scrutiny in sport leadership. In a world where athletes and leaders...

In this second episode of our Online Safety in Sport podcast series, we explore why education is one of the most powerful tools we have to prevent online harm in sport. From social media abuse to harmful online behaviours that spill into real-world environments, the impacts are growing – but so are the opportunities to respond. Online harm isn’t inevitable. With the right education, shared respons...

In this first episode of On Side’s Online Safety in Sport series, we unpack what’s changing in the digital environment and what it means for sport at every level. Online spaces are now an integral part of sport connecting athletes, clubs and fans like never before. But alongside these opportunities comes a rapidly evolving set of risks. Our host Tim Gavel is joined by two leading experts working a...

In Episode 1 of our Sport is for Every BODY mini-series, Olympic rhythmic gymnast Alexandra Kiroi-Bogatyreva and Sport Integrity Australia’s Mat Sinclair share how parents can support their child’s body confidence in sport. Mat explains how SIA partnered with The Embrace Collective to develop practical resources to help families respond to body shaming, advocate for their children, and foster incl...

In this episode of On Side, we learn more about Dr Sarah Benson PSM, the new CEO of Sport Integrity Australia (SIA). Taking the reins in March this year, and in the fifth year of SIA operations, Dr Benson discusses how far the agency has come and priorities for the years ahead to protect sport against current and emerging threats. Support the show: https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/ See omnystudio...

While the sport supplement market might be thriving, the use of supplements can destroy an athlete’s career.  Supplement manufacturers often use omissions or alternative names to lure buyers in and create the illusion of a clean substance. When in fact many contain substances that are prohibited in sport.  A recent research collaboration between Sport Integrity Australia and Human and Supplement T...

In this episode of On Side we’re joined by one of Australia's greatest sporting legends, Lauren Jackson – a five-time Olympian, WNBL and WNBA champion, and global icon in basketball. Lauren has not only dominated on the court but continues to make a lasting impact off the court. We talk with Lauren about her journey from the grassroots through elite sport, the barriers and inequities women and gir...

In this episode of On Side we’re joined by one of Australia's greatest sporting legends, Lauren Jackson – a five-time Olympian, WNBL and WNBA champion, and global icon in basketball. Lauren has not only dominated on the court but continues to make a lasting impact off the court. We talk with Lauren about her journey from the grassroots through elite sport, the barriers and inequities women and gir...

Our Athlete Advisory Group (AAG) plays a vital role informing the strategic direction and shaping education strategies of the agency. Through their collective lived experience, they provide insights into the pressures and influences that can threaten the integrity of sport, and how we can better assist athletes to be clean, safe and fair in sport.  Marathon runner Cassie Fien was a member of our A...

How do we stop or curb the use of Performance and Image Enhancing drugs in sport? In the fight to keep sport clean, safe and fair, shutting down illicit drug production and distribution has become a task that requires a multidisciplinary approach. The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is pushing national anti-doping agencies and law enforcement to collaborate to prevent and respond to integrity thre...

Guest: Dr Gemma Payne (Assistant Director, Science & Medicine) Today (11 February) is International Day of Women and Girls in Science. It’s a time for the team at Sport Integrity Australia to reflect on the important work of women in this field. This year’s theme is: Unpacking STEM Careers: Her Voice in Science and is the 10th anniversary of the event – 2025 International Day of Women and Girl...

Guests: Swimming Australia's Integrity Manager Lydia Scott and Swimming Australia's Complaints and Compliance Manager Scott Elliott Investing in integrity is crucial for the long-term sustainability of sport, but sadly it’s not the subject everyone in sport ‘wants’ to discuss. With more than 90 National Sporting Organisations, National Sporting Organisations for people with Disability and Sport Ad...

This month the team at Sport Integrity Australia bid farewell to our Deputy CEO of Strategy and International Engagement Darren Mullaly as he packs up a rich history in Australian sport taking on the role of Government Relations Director at the World Anti-Doping Agency. Darren has much to celebrate after an 18-year career protecting the integrity of sport in Australia. With a background in law and...

This episode of our podcast On Side talks to champion cyclist Anna Meares, Australia’s new Chef de Mission for the Paris Olympic Games, and Sport Integrity Australia’s Advisory Council Chair Sarah Kenny.  They discuss the importance of embedding integrity in sport, how to create a safe environment for athletes to perform in and their roles in influencing the sporting landscape. Support the show: h...

This episode of our podcast On Side talks to Play the Aussie Way campaign ambassadors, NBL legend Cal Bruton, Ellie Cole, Australia’s most decorated female Paralympian, and young soccer player Harry about the culture shift they hope to lead. While Playing the Aussie Way means something slightly different to each of them, there are common themes – respect, inclusion, fun and trying your best. Sixte...

Hosted by Tim Gavel, in this week’s program we explore life after sport and how hard it is for athletes to find their niche. We talk to AFL forward Josh Bruce, who retired near the end of the AFL season, 3-time Olympic gold medallist, swimmer, Petria Thomas, and Ben Hardy, an Olympian and former captain of the Australian national volleyball team. Find out more information at https://www.sportinteg...