ITF Press Release, November 13, 2018
During meetings in Chengdu, China, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Board of Directors agreed the establishment of an independent ITF Ethics Commission with immediate effect, and approved the ITF Code of Ethics, which will come into effect on 1 January 2019.
The ITF Ethics Commission has been formed to uphold the ITF’s commitment to the highest standards of integrity, governance and transparency, a key pillar of the ITF2024 strategy in the development of tennis for future generations. The ITF Ethics Commission will define, review and enforce the framework of ethical principles outlined in the ITF Code of Ethics.
The ITF Board of Directors has appointed Sandra Osborne QC as the inaugural Chair of Commission. Ms Osborne will take up her new role from 1 December 2018.
ITF President David Haggerty said: “The sport of tennis is experiencing rapid development. Growth spurs change, which provides new windows of opportunity whilst bringing new challenges. Thanks to her experience and passion as a governance professional, we are confident that Sandra Osborne QC is the strong leader we require to build a solid foundation for the ITF Ethics Commission from day one.”
Sandra Osborne QC added: “I have long held the view that it is incumbent on sporting organisations, especially governing international federations, to lead by articulating the ethical values and expected conduct which underpin the governance and management of their organisations. The new ITF Code of Ethics will complement the other structures the ITF has already established to strengthen its integrity framework and I am indeed honoured and excited to be a part of this important movement to improve ethics in Sport at this time.”
Sandra Osborne QC is a Queen’s Counsel (2007) of Barbados as well as a Chartered Secretary and Governance Professional (ICSA Fellow, 2001). Ms Osborne has served as President of the Barbados Olympic Association since 2017. Prior to this, she was both a BOA Board member (2012) and Member of the BOA Arbitration, Disciplinary and Governance Commissions. Ms Osborne’s activities in international sport include Legal Adviser to the Commonwealth Games Federation and Chair of its Governance and Integrity Committee. Earlier in her career, Ms. Osborne held several high-level roles in national sports governance including Vice President of the Barbados Tennis Association and Deputy Chair of the Barbados National Anti-Doping Commission Appeals Panel. Ms Osborne was awarded the Barbados National Honour of Silver Crown of Merit in 2006 in recognition of her contribution to the development of the capital market in Barbados.
In her role as Chair of the ITF Ethics Commission, Ms Osborne will be responsible for the recruitment of additional members to support the administration and management of its duties. The Chair and members of the Commission are appointed for a four-year term and may be re-appointed for a further term of four years. Ms Osborne will step down from her current membership of the ITF Gender Equality in Tennis Committee in order to ensure the independence of the Ethics Commission.
