Tribunal Determinations

Tribunal Determinations are formal decisions arising from matters managed under the Australian Powerlifting Alliance Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy (CDDP).

These determinations may include outcomes from:

• APA Hearing Tribunals convened under the CDDP, and

• Matters referred to and determined by the National Sports Tribunal (NST), including the NST General Division and NST Appeals Division, where applicable.

The CDDP permits the Australian Powerlifting Alliance to publish tribunal determinations on its website, subject to confidentiality obligations, privacy considerations, and any other legal requirements. Publication decisions are made on a case-by-case basis, having regard to the nature of the matter, the sanction imposed, and the need to protect vulnerable persons.

By publishing tribunal determinations, the APA seeks to:

• educate the powerlifting community about conduct expectations and prohibited conduct under the National Integrity Framework

• make precedent-setting decisions accessible and understandable

• promote procedural fairness, transparency, and consistency in disciplinary outcomes

• demonstrate accountability in how integrity matters are managed and resolved

Where matters are determined by the National Sports Tribunal, published decisions may reflect extracts or summaries of the NST’s findings, consistent with the NST legislation, tribunal rules, and any applicable suppression or non-publication orders.

Nothing on this page replaces or overrides the Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy. All matters are managed in accordance with that policy.

Tribunal Decisions

NST 25-342751 –  Aran Yoganandha v Australian Powerlifting Alliance 

Matter number:
NST-E25-342751

Date of decision:
6 January 2026

Dispute type:
Member protection – Bullying

Dispute resolution method:
Arbitration

Description 

The Applicant is an athlete and amateur coach in the sport of powerlifting and a member of the Respondent. The Respondent is a national governing body for the sport of powerlifting in Australia.

On 29 September 2025, the matter was referred to the National Sports Tribunal (NST) under the Australian Powerlifting Alliance’s (APA) Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy and by the mutual agreement of all parties. The matter was validated by the NST CEO on 9 October 2025.

The dispute concerned five alleged breaches of the APA Coaches’ Code of Behaviour and Consent, the APA Member Protection Policy, and the APA Constitution. The allegations related to the Applicant’s online conduct, conduct at an APA competition, and undertaking coaching activities without appropriate insurance. The Respondent imposed sanctions including a formal written warning, a 12‑month suspension from holding any APA coaching appointments, and a requirement to complete education courses.

The Respondent submitted that the breaches were substantiated and that the sanctions should be imposed. The Applicant denied the allegations, asserting that his conduct was misconstrued or did not amount to a breach.

The NST Member considered each allegation in turn and found that only the allegations relating to the Applicant’s online conduct and failure to maintain appropriate insurance while coaching was established.

The NST Member delivered his determination on 6 January 2026, imposing a first and final warning in respect of the Applicant’s online conduct and requiring the Applicant complete a number of education courses. 

NST 25-342750 – Harvey Spencer v Australian Powerlifting Alliance 

Matter number:
NST-E25-342750

Date of decision:
23 December 2025

Dispute type:
Member protection – Bullying

Dispute resolution method:
Arbitration

Dispute

The Applicant is an athlete and amateur coach in the sport of powerlifting and a member of the Respondent. The Respondent is a national governing body for the sport of powerlifting in Australia.

On 29 September 2025, the matter was referred to the National Sports Tribunal (NST) under the Australian Powerlifting Alliance’s (APA) Complaints, Disputes and Discipline Policy and by the mutual agreement of all parties. The matter was validated by the NST CEO on 6 October 2025.

The dispute concerned multiple alleged breaches of the APA Coaches’ Code of Behaviour and Consent, the APA Member Protection Policy, and the APA Constitution. The allegations related to the Applicant’s verbal conduct at a competition, involvement in the creation of a document containing derogatory language about athletes and posting a misleading online review.

The Respondent submitted that the alleged breaches were substantiated. The Applicant denied certain allegations, asserting that his conduct was either misconstrued, formed part of light-hearted interactions, or did not amount to a breach.

The NST Member considered each allegation and found that the allegations relating to verbal remarks at a competition and the creation of the ‘opps sheet’ document were not substantiated. The allegation concerning the Applicant’s misleading online review, was substantiated in part and found to constitute a breach of the APA Constitution and the APA Coaches Code of Behaviour and Consent.

On 23 December 2025, the NST Member delivered her determination, issuing the Applicant with a formal warning and requiring completion of specified education modules and acknowledgment of relevant APA policies and resources.