Scottish Rugby Anti Doping Report 2015-2016
Contents 1. Foreword 3 2. Anti-Doping Policy 4 3. Testing Programme 4 4. Test Statistics 2015-16 4 5. Results Management 5 6. Education 5 7. Whereabouts 5 Appendix 1 Anti-Doping Rule Violations Appendix 2 Useful Contacts Contents 2
1. Foreword Scottish Rugby is committed to the fight against doping in sport. Doping is wholly against the integrity of rugby and runs counter to Scottish Rugby s core principles of Leadership, Engagement, Achievement, Enjoyment and Respect. Scottish Rugby recognises the importance of testing, both in and out of competition, which both protects the integrity of our game and provides a deterrent against the temptation to dope. Scottish Rugby also recognises the importance of education in establishing an environment which influences doping free behaviour amongst players and minimises the risk of inadvertent doping. We are not alone in this. As reported on the UK Anti-Doping website the number of UK rugby players testing positive for banned substances continues to increase. Fortunately during 2015/16, despite a significant increase in the number of tests undertaken, there were no positive tests in Scottish Rugby. However, the prevailing gym culture, and the increasing availability of banned substances, provides many challenges for us as a sport - with anecdotal evidence suggesting that the threat of doping is on the increase. In view of the threat, Scottish Rugby has adopted a three pronged approach: We have adopted clear policies in respect of Anti-Doping and the Use of Supplements. These policies are available on our website and are regularly publicised in our club ezine. Anti-doping education and support is available to all players and club officials. All professional and representative players receive mandatory anti-doping education. Our Premiership clubs receive an offer of appropriately tailored education each season, and education is available to clubs at all other levels on request and via our website. We encourage all involved with our game to make use of this service. Scottish Rugby works hand in hand with UKAD, World Rugby and other Unions in order to minimise the risk of doping in our game. Finally, it is worth noting that last season witnessed a further significant increase in the number of doping tests conducted in respect of Scottish Rugby. A total of 321 tests were undertaken in 2015/16 compared with 246 in 2014/15 and 166 in 2013/14. Tests were undertaken at all levels, including within Regional League rugby. Since 2009-2010 there have now been over 1,500 drugs tests in Scottish Rugby, and in that period there have been just three adverse findings two in the amateur club game and one involving a Scotland U20 squad player. Testing can occur at any level of the game, anywhere and at any time. Scottish Rugby encourages anyone with intelligence as to potential doping offences to contact UKAD or ourselves. Graham A Ireland Head of Regulation Foreword 3
2. Anti-Doping Policy Scottish Rugby s domestic anti-doping Regulation, SDR 21 (Anti-Doping), is built around the dual requirements of the World Rugby s Anti-Doping Regulation and the UK Anti-Doping authority s (UKAD s) rules. In essence Scottish Rugby has adopted the World Rugby Regulation, but has conferred on UKAD and the National Anti-Doping Panel certain responsibilities arising from it (in relation to Results Management and Disciplinary Proceedings). Full information of Scottish Rugby s regulation, policies and training materials is available on the Regulation section of the Scottish Rugby website. 3. Testing Programme Drug testing in Scottish Rugby is carried out on our behalf by UKAD as part of the UKAD programme. At international and professional level testing is also carried out by the World Rugby, Six Nations and EPCR. Players at all levels of the game can be tested. This can happen anywhere and at any time. UKAD policy in recent years has shifted towards a more intelligence led, targeted testing basis - rather than simple random testing. Scottish Rugby supports this change in emphasis. Doping tests are routinely conducted after matches, at training and at a player s home. Both blood and urine testing is undertaken. 4. Test Statistics 2015-16 A total of 321 tests were undertaken during the period (2014/15 246). Of the tests undertaken 265 were out of competition (2014/15 196) and 56 in competition at the RWC, Six Nations, World Series Sevens and in other competitions (2014/15 50). A record number of tests were undertaken in relation to sevens rugby. Both blood and urine testing was undertaken. There were no adverse findings (2014/15 one adverse finding). Authority UKAD World Rugby 6NC EPCR Total Number of tests 119 186 12 4 321 Nature of Test: In Competition 10 30 12 4 56 Out of Comp. 109 156 0 0 265 Sample Type: Urine 109 140 12 4 265 Blood and Urine 10 46 0 0 56 Anti-Doping Report Findings: (Note 1) Adverse 0 0 0 0 0 Atypical 0 0 0 0 0 Notes 1. An Adverse finding indicates a failed test. An Atypical finding indicates a test result outwith normal parameters, often requiring further medical investigation. 4
5. Results Management Scottish Rugby has delegated responsibility for results management and the prosecution of charges for Anti-Doping Rule Violations to the National Anti-Doping Panel (NADP), the government funded independent tribunal responsible for dealing with Anti-Doping cases in the UK. There were no Adverse Findings in relation to the 321 tests undertaken during 2015/16. 6. Education Scottish Rugby s Anti-Doping education programme is led by Dr James Robson, Scottish Rugby s Chief Medical Officer. In this regard: National Squads and Professional Teams: During 2015/16 education sessions were delivered to all of Scotland s representative squads and also to both of the professional teams. Premiership Clubs: Education sessions were offered to all Premiership clubs. Consideration is being given as to whether in future participation in the anti-doping education programme should be a requirement of the Premiership Club Participation Agreement. Clubs at other levels: Education is also available to clubs at all other levels on request and via our website. Scottish Rugby encourages all involved with our game to make use of this service. In preparation for the 2016/17 rugby season Scottish Rugby s anti-doping education resources are being reviewed with a view to enhancing the material available. It is planned to extend Scottish Rugby s anti-doping education programme in 2016/17. 7. Whereabouts At the present time 36 Scotland senior international and sevens squad players are members of World Rugby s International Testing Pool, which requires whereabouts information to be provided in relation to each player (including the player s home address and club training schedules), in order that they can be available for out of competition testing. UKAD are in the process of introducing an additional Testing Pool which will increase the number of professional and other representative players within the anti-doping testing pools to c.50. Anti-Doping Report 5
Appendix 1: Anti-Doping Rule Violations The following Scottish Rugby Union players are currently under suspension in relation to anti-doping offences: Season Name Club Violation Sanction 2014/2015 Darren Eales Preston Lodge Presence of 2 years (Note 1) a prohibited (From 11 12 14 to substance. 10 12 16) (Note 2) Notes 1. The player had also been dual registered with Kelso RFC and Melrose RFC during the 2014/15 season. 2. Being the presence of Boldenone, Trenbolone and Oxymetholone and/or their metabolites, these substances being listed as Exogenous Anabolic Androgenic Steroids in section S1.1a of the WADA 2014 Prohibited List. Appendix 2 : Useful Contacts 1. Scottish Rugby Position Name Email Telephone Anti-Doping Officer Richard McGhee richard.mcghee@sru.org.uk 0131 346 5029 Chief Medical Officer Dr James Robson james.robson@sru.org.uk 0131 346 5152 2. UKAD Report Doping in Sport: Telephone 08000 32 23 32 or go on line to www.reportdoping.com Anti-Doping Report 6
SCOTTISH RUGBY BT MURRAYFIELD EDINBURGH EH12 5PJ 0131 346 5000 scottishrugby.org