The Tennis Integrity Supervisory Board has approved the principle of combining both anti-corruption and anti-doping functions within a single, combined and expanded integrity organisation for professional tennis.
Under current arrangements, the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP) covers all betting-related corruption issues, while separately the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP) is administered on behalf of the sport by the ITF - https://www.itftennis.com/antidoping/home.aspx
“We are confident there will be significant benefits from integrating these two strong programmes into a single organisation. They include enhanced information sharing between the anti-doping and anti-corruption teams and the opportunity to join up education and support for players,” explained Board Chair, Jennie Price.
Under the proposed new structure, anti-corruption and anti-doping will combine in a single location with shared services, including player education. Importantly in terms of governance, the new organisation will be operationally independent of the sport. It is envisaged that TADP cases will benefit from the investigative expertise available through the Tennis Integrity Unit.
To ensure a seamless transfer of functions, the new organisation (which will be named to appropriately reflect its wider role) will take on full responsibility for tennis anti-doping from the ITF on 1 January 2021.
Work is already underway to implement the detailed measures required to deliver the expanded integrity body. Central to managing that process will be the recruitment of a new chief executive officer to establish and lead the restructured organisation. An international search for that position is well advanced through the specialist recruitment agency SRI, with the intention of making an appointment before the end of 2019.
The Tennis Integrity Supervisory Board consists of five independent members: Jennie Price CBE, Chair, Sir Philip Craven, Avril Martindale, Sal Perna AM and Bob Harayda, and senior representatives from the four International Governing Bodies of tennis; Mark Young, ATP, Steve Simon, WTA, David Haggerty, ITF and Philip Brook CBE, Grand Slam Board.
Published 25 September 2019 14:00
