Tennis Australia has created a new unit for integrity and compliance following recent controversy involving match fixing in the sport.
The Australian Open in January began in the midst of a BBC investigation that alleged that not enough action was being taken against indications of match fixing on the tennis circuit. It just so happened that betting company William Hill became a sponsor of the Grand Slam event during the same period.
Tennis Australia is subsequently expanding its integrity efforts. The unit will be led by Ann West, the organization's current risk and compliance manager.
"Ann will now head up a new team with an uncompromising focus around integrity and compliance as the reputation of our sport is being challenged in a difficult environment," Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said in a statement released by the organization. “Ann has already done an outstanding job within Tennis Australia, from setting up a world-first tennis anti-corruption policy to developing and managing comprehensive member protection policies for the tennis family in Australia."
The unit's tasks will include working with the Independent Review Panel that is looking into the match-fixing allegations and implementing education programs for the sport in the country.
It plans to add an investigator and compliance expert.