Scottish Rugby Anti Doping Report 2016/17
Contents 1. Foreword 3 2. Anti-Doping Policy 4 3. Testing Programme 4 4. Test Statistics 2016-17 4 5. Results Management 5 6. Education 5 7. Whereabouts 5 Appendix 1 Anti-Doping Rule Violations Appendix 2 Useful Contacts 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. As reported on the UK Anti-Doping website the number of UK rugby players testing positive for banned substances continues to increase. Fortunately during 2016/17 there were again 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 continues to be on the increase. In view of this 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. Education is available to clubs at all other levels 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. During 2016/17 a total of 248 tests were undertaken. Whilst this number was down on the 321 tests in 2015/16 (a year which was heavily skewed by the effects of the 2015 Rugby World Cup) it was very much in line with the 246 tests undertaken in 2014/15. Tests were undertaken at all levels of the game, including within Regional League rugby. Since 2009-2010 there have now been almost 1,800 drug tests in Scottish Rugby. 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 (and does) take place at any level of the game, and happen 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 3
2. Anti-Doping Policy Scottish Rugby s domestic anti-doping Regulation, SDR 21 Anti-Doping, is built around the dual requirements of 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 Anti-Doping regulation, policies and training materials is available on the Regulations 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 2016-17 A total of 248 tests were undertaken during the period (2015/16 321). This year World Rugby conducted 84 tests compared with 186 in the prior year (the high number in 2015/16 being largely attributable to RWC 2015). The overall number of tests carried out was therefore more comparable with 2014/15 (246 tests). Of the tests undertaken 173 were out of competition and 75 in competition (being at matches in Scottish domestic rugby, the Six Nations, World Series Sevens, etc.). Both blood and urine testing was undertaken. Authority UKAD World Rugby 6NC EPCR Total Number of tests 142 84 16 6 248 Nature of Test: In Competition 38 15 16 6 75 Out of Comp. 104 69 0 0 173 Sample Type: Urine 122 72 16 6 216 Blood and Urine 20 12 0 0 32 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 UKAD. Cases brought by UKAD are heard before the UK 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 during the period (2015/16 - no adverse findings). However, during February 2017 the NADP issued a Consent Order in relation to a club coach who had declined to participate in an anti-doping test (on the basis that he had retired from playing the game during the previous season). Whilst the Consent Order does not represent a doping failure the coach voluntarily agreed not to play in any WADA regulated sport during the period up to 28 November 2020. He remains free to coach, albeit he subsequently left his coaching role with the club concerned. 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 2016/17 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 was made available to clubs at all other levels on request and via our website. Scottish Rugby encouraged all involved with the game to make use of this service via its club communications ezine. In preparation for the 2017/18 rugby season Scottish Rugby s anti-doping education resources are being reviewed with a view to enhancing the material available. Specific guidance will be made available to players and coaches via the anti-doping pages on Scottish Rugby s website and additional anti-doping education will be provided as part of a series of player welfare workshops. 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 operates an additional Testing Pool which currently includes a further 13 players, increasing the number of professional and other representative players within the anti-doping testing pools to 49. 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 There are currently no Scottish Rugby Union players serving a suspension in relation to anti-doping offences. 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 reportdoping.com 6
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SCOTTISH RUGBY BT MURRAYFIELD EDINBURGH EH12 5PJ 0131 346 5000 scottishrugby.org 8