How Citation Legal can help the sports and fitness industry

With record attendance numbers and a rise in popularity in women’s soccer thanks to the Matilda’s in the World Cup, it’s hard to remember the impact COVID-19 had on the sporting industry: millions of dollars in lost revenue and major sporting bodies suspending seasons. But now, with nine out of ten Australians participating in sports annually, and professional athletes back in high demand, especially with the upcoming Olympics, it’s safe to say the sporting industry is making a comeback. And while this time is exciting, it doesn’t mean it’s without challenges.

Changes in the sporting industry  

With such high participation rates nationwide, it’s no surprise that the sports industry employs over 143,000 Australians, including coaches, instructors, officials, and support staff. While this presents great opportunities, it also comes with its challenges. With the new Closing Loopholes Bill introducing significant changes to fixed-term contracts, businesses need to stay on top of compliance now more than ever before.

Our unique partnership with the Australian sporting industry

Delivering innovative and practical workplace management and compliance solutions is what we do best. Citation Legal has been advising national and state sporting bodies, player associations and professional athletes for more than 30 years and continues to enjoy a longstanding partnership with a number of key franchise businesses and individual operators.

As Australia’s leading workplace relations provider, Citation Legal continues to advise national and state sporting bodies, player associations and professional athletes across all codes and disciplines on issues such as:

• Industrial relations strategy and complex collective bargaining negotiations;
• Sports governance, including policies relating to social media, illicit drugs, anti-doping and integrity;
• Player contracts and entitlements;
• Exploitation of commercial rights and third-party commercial arrangements;
• Disciplinary and anti-doping proceedings; and
• Dispute resolution (including mediation and expert determination).

Our areas of expertise include:

• Compliance risks and underpayments;
• Employment contracts and breaches;
• Independent contractors;
• Harassment, bullying and discrimination;
• Unfair dismissal and adverse action claims;
• Managing ill or injured workers;
• Restructures and redundancies;
• Workplace health and safety; and
• Workers compensation.

In the wake of the Closing Loopholes (2023) legislation that impacts fixed-term contacts, and the steady comeback of the industry, Citation Legal continues to work with businesses and individual operators to help safeguard from the pitfalls of non-compliance.