ANTI-DOPING & ILLICIT DRUGS PROGRAMME 2016 17 ANNUAL REPORT
CONTENTS Introduction Foreword 5 6 PROFESSIONAL RUGBY Anti-Doping Programme Education Testing Anti-Doping Rule Violations Illicit Drugs Programme Objectives Education Specialist Assessment & Treatment Testing Illicit Drugs Policy Violations 13 14 16 22 26 26 27 28 COMMUNITY RUGBY Executive Summary Awareness & Education Testing Anti-Doping Rule Violations Research 32 36 37 38 40
HEADER COPY HEADER COPY INTRODUCTION This report, the seventh of its kind, provides an account of anti-doping and illicit drugs programme activities in rugby union in England for the season 2016/17. It fulfils the commitment made in season 2010/11 to report publicly in this area of RFU operations. The report is separated into two sections: Professional Rugby, and Community Rugby. This reflects the diverse landscape that the report (and the activities detailed in it) cover. Although the associated challenges at each level of the game are varied and somewhat unique, they are also linked; in order to successfully deliver the RFU s Clean Sport programme across the entire game with a coherent, coordinated approach. The Anti-Doping Advisory Group is responsible for advising on anti-doping policy and drafting anti-doping rules and regulations for rugby union in England. The group brings together representatives from the professional leagues, the players association and the union. The group membership also provides expertise in sports science, sports medicine, law and anti-doping operations. 4 Tutor Notes 5
FOREWORD FOREWORD Nigel Melville Professional Rugby Director, Rugby Football Union and Anti-Doping Advisory Group Chairperson After a year of anti-doping revelations from across the sporting landscape we are pleased to present the RFU anti-doping and illicit drugs programme annual report for season 2016/17. The report shows a sport that takes pride in its core values and deals with its issues in a transparent and open manner. While it has to be accepted that it is impossible to eliminate doping from sport, collectively we can support the efforts of clean athletes and make it harder for the cheats to prosper. We do this through ongoing investment and partnership to deliver our education, deterrence and detection programmes in the most effective way possible. Rugby union has grown its place in world sport based around strong values of integrity, discipline and sportsmanship, and a strong anti-doping policy must continue to be placed at the centre. The professional players are consistent and active supporters of rugby s drug-free position, and remain powerful advocates for a clean game. Rugby is a sport based on confrontational competition, and a drug free culture is essential in such an environment. Recognising that, investment into education and other prevention measures remains a key component towards achieving this aim. The RFU and RPA provide education to athletes, coaches, trainers and medical staff, all underpinned by Premiership Rugby s commitment to high standards of governance within clubs. Pat Myhill Director of Operations, UK Anti-Doping It s clear to me that in order to achieve our collective vision of clean sport, it s vitally important to work in strategic partnerships with a range of agencies, not just from within the sporting sector but beyond it too. To this end UKAD engages with a range of bodies including the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Authority, the General Medical Council and the National Crime Agency. Within sport UKAD has a strong and positive relationship with the RFU and I commend the pro-active approach that the RFU takes to educate, detect and deter doping. In particular the recently developed strategy for community rugby builds on this approach. As we look to the future it is important that we continue to work together to deliver effective interventions and tackle doping for the benefit of our athletes and the sport as a whole. Image and performance enhancing drug use in general society is a growing public health concern, and tackling these motivations requires a multi-agency approach from government, health services, law enforcement, sports bodies and the media. We are working hard to share many of the good practices around training, nutrition and playing preparation throughout the wider game in order to improve player health at all levels. Only through constant reinforcement of these messages can we develop and maintain a culture of clean sport within the game as a whole. 6 Anti-Doping Programme 7
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ANTI-DOPING PROGRAMME
ANTI-DOPING PROGRAMME EDUCATION 623 SAMPLES COLLECTED 108 SAMPLES COLLECTED FROM JUNIOR ACADEMIES 87% OF TESTS OUT OF COMPETITION Anti-Doping education is tailored specifically to the requirements of professional players. It is compulsory for all clubs in the Aviva Premiership, Green King IPA Championship and Tyrells Premier 15s to organise an RFU led anti-doping seminar for their players every season. Topics include checking medications, supplement safety, and using other practical tools to avoid making mistakes that may lead to an inadvertent doping violation. Dedicated support is provided by the RFU anti-doping department to player support personnel throughout the season to ensure that they are aware of their responsibilities and know how to best support their players on an ongoing basis. Groups targeted include medics, strength and conditioning coaches, team managers and player agents. Specialist anti-doping sessions are delivered to the England representative teams every season and by UKAD in preparation for major games participation. Allied to this, all England international players must also complete World Rugby s Keep Rugby Clean online education module ahead of major tournaments. 47 EDUCATION WORKSHOPS 14% SAMPLES WERE BLOOD 0 ANTI-DOPING VIOLATIONS 12 Professional Rugby 13
TESTING The core testing programme this season has been at a level consistent with previous seasons. The slight reduction in total samples collected was expected and is due largely to an increase in specific testing activity that occurred in the build up to (and during) the 2015 Rugby World Cup and the 2016 Rio Olympics. Professional Rugby RFU World Rugby Six Nations EPCR Number of tests conducted using each sample collection method Total Blood, urine and biological passport samples were analysed, with samples collected both in and out-of-competition by multiple agencies. The testing programme is in full compliance with the WADA Testing Document for Sport Specific Analysis. Urine 395 114 4 24 537 Blood (incl. Biological Passport) 60 26 0 0 86 Number of tests conducted In-Competition & Out-of-Competition In-Competition 28 23 4 24 79 Out-of-Competition 427 117 0 0 544 Number of tests conducted at each level of rugby International 12 140 4 0 156 Aviva Premiership / Aviva Premiership clubs in European competition Greene King IPA Championship Junior Academy (U17/U18) 205 0 0 24 229 130 0 0 0 130 108 0 0 0 108 Total number of tests conducted Total tests conducted 455 140 4 24 623 14 Professional Rugby 15
ANTI-DOPING RULE VIOLATIONS In season 2016/17 there were no anti-doping violations within the professional game in England, which is consistent with previous seasons. The last anti-doping violation for a performance enhancing drug from a professional player was in season 2010/11. 16 Professional Rugby 17
ILLICIT DRUGS PROGRAMME
ILLICIT DRUGS PROGRAMME FOREWORD 302 SAMPLES COLLECTED 95% OF SAMPLES COLLECTED WERE HAIR 12 EDUCATION WORKSHOPS Dr Simon Kemp Chief Medical Officer, Rugby Football Union At the end of the seventh year of the RFU Illicit Drugs Programme, the RFU and its partners Premiership Rugby and the Rugby Players Association are confident that the programme is effectively delivering its twin aims of protecting both the health and welfare of players, and the image and reputation of rugby as a game free of illicit drugs. The programme involves the random, out of competition testing of players for illicit drugs, beyond that required by the World Anti- Doping Agency testing programmes. The risk of illicit drug use in society is well recognised, especially in the 18-35 age-group. One player failed a random illicit drugs hair test last season. When compared to the figures reported for the use of illicit drugs in this age-group across society, this demonstrates that professional rugby is a game that does not tolerate illicit drug use. Examples across a range of sports have shown how illicit drug use can adversely affect player health and there is no room for complacency. We must continue to educate, test, and support players in this important area. 3 MONTH AVERAGE DETECTION PERIOD PER HAIR SAMPLE 1 ILLICIT DRUGS PROGRAMME VIOLATION 0 ADMISSIONS OF USE 20 Professional Rugby 21
OBJECTIVES Concerns about the health and welfare of players and the image and reputation of rugby in England, led the RFU to develop an illicit drugs policy, in partnership with Premiership Rugby and the RPA, which came into effect in 2008. The programme is run in a way that complements the anti-doping programme, consisting entirely of out-of-competition tests for the four most commonly found illicit drugs: cannabis, cocaine, ecstasy and amphetamines. The two equally important principal objectives of the RFU Illicit Drugs Policy are: To protect the health and welfare of players To protect and promote the image and reputation of rugby as a game free of illicit drugs. In striving to achieve these objectives, it is recognised and accepted that an integrated approach to education, deterrence and rehabilitation is the most appropriate method of deterring the use of illicit drugs and protecting players health and welfare. The implementation and administration of this policy by the RFU will be consistent with the achievement of these objectives. IN-COMPETITION OUT-OF-COMPETITION PERFORMANCE ENHANCING ANTI-DOPING PROGRAMME ILLICIT DRUGS RFU ILLICIT DRUGS POLICY 22 Professional Rugby 23
EDUCATION TESTING Education seminars were delivered by the RFU in conjunction with the RPA at all Aviva Premiership Rugby clubs with the aim of reinforcing players awareness of the programme, and to provide an introduction to any new players entering the league from the academy system, lower level clubs or from abroad. A total of 302 urine and hair samples were collected at all Aviva Premiership clubs throughout the season. This shows a slight reduction when compared to the previous season. The reduction was a temporary result of amendments made to hair testing procedures following a consultation between the RFU, the RPA and Alere Toxicology. It is anticipated testing numbers will return to previous levels in the current season. Selections were made from the senior and full time academy squads at each club. Selection can be conducted both at random or targeted at individuals, with additional focus placed on previously identified periods of higher risk SPECIALIST ASSESSMENT & TREATMENT Players are required to undergo a specialist assessment following a positive test result or admission of use. They are referred to the Nightingale Hospital in London for expert assessment from a consultant psychiatrist and, if necessary, follow-up treatment. Nightingale Hospital London is the first acute mental health hospital to have been formally accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) for its counselling and psychotherapy services. In consultation with Alere Toxicology (the RFU s testing agency and sample analysis partner) the sample collection process has been designed to be as similar as possible to that used for the anti-doping testing programme. It is important to note, however, that RFU Illicit Drugs tests are not WADA accredited and do not form part of the anti-doping programme. Hair testing continues to be extensively utilised as part of the testing programme, now forming the majority of sample collections. The analysis of a hair sample can detect illicit drug use over an extended period of time in some cases up to five months. Urine Hair Total 15 287 302 Alere Toxicology As a global leader, Alere Toxicology, part of Abbott, is committed to providing innovative solutions and exceptional support to organisations seeking to detect and deter the abuse of drugs. They deliver cutting-edge testing systems and analysis services to a wide variety of industries, including government agencies, occupational health clinics, family lawyers, drug treatment and rehabilitation centres, and distributors Find out more at: www.aleretoxicology.co.uk 26 RFU Anti-Doping Report 2016-17 Professional Rugby 27
ILLICIT DRUGS POLICY VIOLATIONS The number of violations and admissions of use during season 2106/17 has remained very low. There has been one violation for the presence of cocaine, and no admissions of use have been reported. Strict confidentiality is maintained for all admissions of use and violations where it is a first offence. As there have been no second violations of the policy, the details of recent cases cannot be reported. A first violation of the policy is sanctioned by means of a fine set at 5,000 for a senior Premiership Rugby contracted player and 1,000 for an academy Premiership Rugby contracted player or other player under the policy. A second violation of the policy will result in loss of confidentiality, a fine of an equal amount to a first violation and a period of ineligibility set by an RFU disciplinary panel. There have been no second violations of the policy to date. 28
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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY FOREWORD 987 SCHOOLBOYS PARTICIPATED IN RFU RESEARCH PROJECT 119 SAMPLES COLLECTED 33 EDUCATION WORKSHOPS Steve Grainger Rugby Development Director, Rugby Football Union We remain committed to doing all that we can to protect the integrity and values of our great game. Each week players of all ages take part in thousands of matches in clubs, schools, colleges and universities, with these players doing so largely for enjoyment, fitness and because of the friendship and camaraderie that rugby union brings to them. Unfortunately, this enjoyment can occasionally be damaged due to the actions of a small minority who choose to use drugs. Doping is arguably the worst form of cheating and is something that has no place in our game. With illegal and performance enhancing substances becoming more and more common in our wider society, we have even more responsibility to increase awareness among our players, coaches, teachers and club administrators of the dangers in this area. Publication of the latest findings from our joint research project with Leeds Beckett University shows a worrying lack of awareness in age-grade players, particularly around the use of supplements and hence raising the risk of vulnerability to doping. This, and wider concerns about low awareness around doping and its impact, led us to establish a working group to develop a strategy for antidoping in the community game. This will be introduced during the 2017/18 season and see us increase our focus on improving awareness, enhancing education and increasing testing within the community game. 4 ANTI-DOPING VIOLATIONS 32 Community Rugby 33
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AWARENESS & EDUCATION TESTING As part of the wider RFU s Rugby-Safe initiative, anti-doping awareness materials such as posters and advice cards are available to clubs and throughout the community game with information on anti-doping alongside other relevant topics such as good nutrition and training advice. In addition, seminars are available for clubs and other bodies to organise with the RFU. Community Rugby: Number of tests conducted using each sample collection method Total FoodforRugby.org offers rugby players expert advice on good healthy nutrition to support the demands of playing and training for rugby, alongside a busy everyday life. It provides interactive content that is easy to access and understand to help players make good food choices to lead a healthy lifestyle. Content includes recipe ideas, menu planners, videos and quizzes. The RFU supports a Food First approach to nutrition. Completion of The UKAD Coach Clean module is a compulsory part of the RFU Level 3 coaching awards and individuals in other support roles are encouraged to complete the online UKAD Advisor course. Coach Clean is an interactive e-learning module designed to give coaches the knowledge and understanding to help guide their athletes. It includes a vibrant mix of video, challenging scenarios, real-life examples and quizzes. The aim is to help coaches improve their understanding of anti-doping and what this means for coaches and athletes, to better prepare athletes for testing, explain the wide-reaching consequences of an anti-doping rule violation and promote clean sport in their own coaching environment. Urine 115 Blood 4 Number of tests conducted In-Competition & Out-of-Competition In-Competition 37 Out-of-Competition 82 Number of tests conducted at each level of rugby National League 1 94 Other 25 Total number of tests conducted Total tests conducted 119 36 Community Rugby 37
COMMUNITY RUGBY ANTI-DOPING RULE VIOLATIONS Three anti-doping rule violations have been finalised during the course of the season. At the time of print, there is one further case from season 2016-17 within the case management process which may be confirmed as an anti-doping violation. No public comment will be made on this case until a decision has been reached by the National Anti-Doping Panel and all appeal rights have been finalised. Name; Club Violation Substance(s) Sanction Michael Lowis; Clevedon RFC Presence of a prohibited substance Drostanolone & Trenbolone 4 years Joseph Stokes; Matson RFC Presence of a prohibited substance Cocaine 2 years Craig Hoare; Spartans RFC (Gloucester) Presence of a prohibited substance Drostanolone & Methylhexaneamine 4 years 38 Tutor Notes 39
LEEDS BECKETT RESEARCH REPORT & COMMUNITY RUGBY ANTI-DOPING STRATEGY A small number of violations, coupled with other anecdotal concerns from within the game, identified that the school-aged population was a potential area of vulnerability for uninformed use of nutritional supplements and showed a potential vulnerability to future doping practices. The RFU and the game as a whole needed to better understand the issues in order to effectively address them. In 2013 Leeds Beckett University and the RFU partnered on a research project to explore the use of nutritional supplements and performance and image enhancing substances in male adolescent rugby union players in a school context. The research investigated how young athletes compete, train and otherwise prepare for sport. The factors that influence players decisionmaking were not well known and the research has given the RFU valuable insights into why young athletes make certain choices about their diet, training and rugby lifestyles. Three overarching insights emerged from the research. 1. Nutritional supplement use is prevalent among English schoolboys. Schoolboy rugby union players report the highest susceptibility to doping among those sampled, compared with other athletes and non-athletes. 2. Use of banned substances was appraised to be a serious issue in school that needs attention. A degree of willingness to try a risky substance was also noted. 3. Limited exposure to formal nutritional supplement and anti-doping education leaves schoolboys and teachers at risk from inadvertent doping. The report concluded that in order to successfully change behaviour, an over determining approach was required that addressed the capability, opportunity and motivation to perform a given behaviour. Specific components of this approach were identified as being relevant to delaying the use of nutritional supplements and for shaping future actions. The full report is available from EnglandRugby. com here: englandrugby.com/anti-doping Through its working group, chaired by Alan Milliner MBE, RFU Council member for Cornwall, the RFU has been developing a strategy to proactively address the issues identified through the report s insights. The group incorporated expertise from a range of external stakeholders including the Youth Sport Trust, the education sector and both professional and community rugby. The community game anti-doping strategy will see the RFU increase its focus on improving awareness, enhancing education and increasing testing within the community game. The interventions within this strategy will seek to embed the recommendations and future actions from the report within future work in this area. The group considered it important to go beyond the scope of the Leeds Beckett report and to examine the clean sport provision for a wider group than those surveyed, reflecting the broad and varied nature of influences on young rugby players. The strategy outlines a number of core groups: Under 14 players Pathway players 14 18 Other players 14 18 Adult community rugby players The following is a summary of key interventions based on the working group s recommendations. Target Groups Themes Actions Community Rugby Players aged 14-18 (As part of an overdetermining approach; to include teachers, parents, youth coaches and other people of influence) Pathway players aged 14-18 (As part of an overdetermining approach; to include teachers, parents, youth coaches and other people of influence) Community Adult Rugby Players (As part of an overdetermining approach; to include coaches and other people of influence) Nutritional supplement use is prevalent among English schoolboys Limited exposure to formal nutritional supplement and anti-doping education leaves schoolboys and teachers at risk of inadvertent doping Use of banned substances was appraised to be a serious issue in school that needs attention. A degree of willingness to try a risky substance was also noted Nutritional supplement use is prevalent among English schoolboys Limited exposure to formal nutritional supplement and anti-doping education leaves schoolboys and teachers at risk of inadvertent doping Use of banned substances was appraised to be a serious issue in school that needs attention. A degree of willingness to try a risky substance was also noted Limited exposure to formal nutritional supplement and anti-doping education leaves community level players at risk of inadvertent doping A number of anti-doping rule violations occur within the community game Image and performance enhancing drug use is prevalent in the general population Initiate a digital, marketing & communications campaign aimed at players, coaches and teachers to increase awareness about supplement risks and good nutrition Promote the Food for Rugby resourcehttp://foodforrugby.org/ Promote UKAD Coach Clean module as part of RFU Coaching framework for teachers and youth coaches Promote UAKD Advisor module for other support roles within schools and clubs Support existing additional intelligence based testing through a whistleblowing facility Compulsory anti-doping education modules delivered as a condition to entry of RFU schools competitions Promote a food first approach to nutrition. Food for Rugby resourcehttp://foodforrugby.org/ Deliver cooking workshops to all players at the national U16 Wellington Academy Festival Promote UKAD Coach Clean module as part of RFU coaching framework Promote UAKD Advisor module for other support roles within the academy network and women s centres of excellence Sustain current mandatory face-to-face workshops at academies and women s centre of excellence Sustain current testing at regional academy level Support existing additional intelligence based testing through a whistleblowing facility Initiate a digital, marketing & communications campaign aimed at players, coaches and teachers to increase awareness about supplement risks and good nutrition Support existing additional intelligence based testing through a whistleblowing facility Sustain testing at National One Expand testing to National Two and BUCS Super Rugby competition Develop an online training module which would over 3 year period become mandatory for players, team managers and coaches. Develop face to face training modules to enhance/support the online module Compulsory anti-doping education modules delivered as a condition to entry of RFU schools competitions Promote UKAD Coach Clean module as part of RFU community coaching framework 40 Community Rugby 41
Contact Stephen Watkins Anti-Doping and Illicit Drugs Programme Manager E: StephenWatkins@rfu.com T: 020 8831 7603 Richard Nunn Anti-Doping and Illicit Drugs Programme Officer E: RichardNunn@rfu.com T: 020 8831 7604 TEAMWORK RESPECT ENJOYMENT DISCIPLINE SPORTSMANSHIP The RFU Rose and the words England Rugby are official registered trade marks of the Rugby Football Union.