Top honours for SIA Doping Control Chaperone

Within our Sport Integrity Australia (SIA) team there are some incredible people achieving fantastic results, and these results extend outside their role with SIA.

Meet Dave Williams, one of our Doping Control Chaperones based in NSW, who has been with the SIA team since 2021.

Dave is also a much loved and respected volunteer for AusTriathlon, with 18 years of service to the sport.

At the AusTriathlon Awards last month Dave was jointly presented (with Michael Thompson) the John Ison Award, recognising exceptional contributions by officials in Australia or internationally. 

John Ison was one of the ‘founding fathers’ of triathlon officiating in Australia. He created an earlier version of the officiating model used in the sport today. 

In Dave’s 18 years as an official he has demonstrated unwavering commitment and leadership to the triathlon community. His notable achievements include developing the sport’s Event Operations Manual and developing critical policies such as Pillion Passenger Safety and toolbox talks, significantly enhancing the sport’s safety culture.

Additionally, he’s played a vital role in assisting the ACT and Northern Territory with sanctioning processes, showcasing his deep understanding of regulatory requirements and event operations.

Dave is known as the ‘go-to expert’ for clubs and triathlon race directors, often called upon to collaborate with local authorities to address challenges. As a semi-retired engineer with expertise in risk management, his knowledge has been invaluable, with numerous courses and workshops that have educated and empowered others in the field. 

With a wealth of experience in IRONMAN events and a reputation for excellence, Dave’s contributions continue to drive AusTriathlon’s technical program forward and strengthen its community.

The Award certainly wasn’t one Dave was expecting, but he said he felt honoured and appreciated by the community upon receiving it.

“Most of what I do these days in triathlon is on a volunteer basis and it's something that I really enjoy with a passion,” he said.

Triathlon has been a part of Dave’s life since the mid-90s.

“I discovered this sport soon after I realised I wasn't very good at swimming, biking or running,” Dave joked.

“But I found a sport that was inclusive, and it welcomed age groupers who just wanted to get out there and have a go.

“I used to tell friends that I only needed to improve in three areas and I'd be good at the sport.”

The athlete dream came to an end around 15 years ago when Dave was told he needed a hip replacement. 

“My hip was worn out and my surgeon told me that the only time I should run is if I’m late for a bus,” he joked.

“I wanted to stay involved in the sport and so I got into officiating. That got me into other aspects of the sport, like working with event organisers to conduct safe events.”

Keeping the sport of triathlon safe is something Dave is passionate about and takes seriously.

“It's not unlike what I do with sport integrity as a Doping Control Chaperone, in the sense that with sport integrity we're there for fairness in our sport,” he said.

“What I do in terms of my triathlon efforts is aiming to get fairness and safety in our sport as well, through education and setting up procedures to run safe events. Triathlon is one of the few sports that has a different design field of play at every event. It's not in a rectangle, it's not in a circle like footy or cricket, it's in the community. So that certainly has safety considerations and there are always risks that need to be managed.”

Dave admits his passion for triathlon is a little on the selfish side.

“It’s the best seat in the house – not too dissimilar to the role of a chaperone – and you need to respect the opportunity and be appreciative of that.”

And he loves triathlon because it gives everyone a fair go.

“We see some amazing high-level athletes, but on the other side of the coin we see blue collar guys and girls who just want to get out there and have a go and stay fit or even get fit; and that's important to me,” Dave said.

“Watching people set their own goals and achieve them when they cross that finish line. You always see a smile on the finish line.”

And sport integrity plays a large role in Dave’s love of sport.

“Without organisations like Sport Integrity Australia, we lose our confidence in the results that we see and the sport that is broadcast," he said.

“We lose confidence in whether the person we see on the podium is there purely by their own effort, as opposed to being assisted. Integrity in sport is extremely important and I’m a small part of the effort that goes into ensuring that.”

Looking ahead and at 67 years of age, Dave has no plans of slowing down his contributions to sport.

“I certainly plan on staying with Sport Integrity Australia, because I've only seen a few sports and I know there's other opportunities to meet people and admire their efforts and how they go about their sporting journey.

“With triathlon, I intend to keep providing education and working behind the scenes to ensure that our officials produce a consistent approach to how they interpret our rules.”

Sport Integrity Australia congratulates Dave on his John Ison Award with AusTriathlon and his contribution to keeping sport safe, clean and fair.