Aran Yoganandha v Australian Powerlifting Alliance

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.