Anti
Doping FAQ’s
-
What is an Anti-Doping Policy?
An Anti-Doping Policy is a document that sets out
guidelines for dealing with the use of drugs in sport. It covers who
will be covered by the policy, which drugs are banned or monitored,
how to obtain permission to use certain drugs, the procedures involved
for testing for drugs, the procedures involved for dealing with a
positive test and the disciplinary action that will be taken. The
policy also sets out how other organisations such as the World Anti
Doping Agency (WADA), the New Zealand Sports Drug Agency (NZSDA) and
the world governing body, World Flying Disc Federation fit in to the
NZFDA Anti-Doping Code.
-
Why do we need an Anti-Doping Policy?
There are several reasons as to why New Zealand
Disc Sports should have an Anti-Doping Code. The first is that the
use of performance enhancing drugs is cheating, and the National Body
should have a method to combat this form of cheating. The second is
more practical; the World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF) adopted an
anti-doping code in 2002. Under this code, each National Body is required
to have its own Anti-Doping Code that conforms with the WFDF Code.
In addition, it is a requirement for SPARC recognition which the NZFDA
intends on applying for (see SPARC section). The last reason is for
credibility. In the current sporting climate, no sport can be taken
seriously if it does not condemn the use of performance enhancing
drugs. The Anti-Doping Code is the NZFDA's way of officially recognising
that using drugs in sport is wrong.
-
How does this affect me?
Social players
The code will probably not affect you at all as a
social player. Although the Code will cover all players, testing will
likely only be done at the National level, so players playing within
their region for fun will not have to cope with the Anti-Doping Code.
Note that this is no reason to go out and cheat by using performance
enhancing drugs.
National Tour Player/Australian Nationals, etc
The Anti-Doping Code will affect the National Tour
players the most, as they are not already covered by any other Anti-Doping
Code. An education programme will have to be undertaken by NZU in
order to inform players of the requirements under the code. For most
this means getting the proper documentation to do with insulin and
asthma drugs. WADA has recently taken pseudoephedrine and caffeine
off the banned substances list, so there is less chance of an accidental
infringement of the Code. If you are not purposely taking drugs, and
follow the education material provided by NZU, it is unlikely you
would return a positive test. The likelihood of testing is also very
small. Most minor sports are not tested at all by the NZSDA, and those
that do have about 1 or 2 tests a year.
Tour level players are only available for in-competition
testing. This means that you can only be tested during a tournament.
You cannot be tested before or after the tournament.
The NZFDA Anti-Doping Code will have very little
effect on players who play in Australian Nationals. This is because
the AFDA already has an Anti-Doping Code for these events and you
would come under their jurisdiction. The only difference is that any
disciplinary action taken by the AFDA would be supported by the NZFDA,
i.e. - a six month ban by the AFDA would also likely mean a six month
ban from competing in NZ competitions.
National Team Player at Worlds Level
National Team/Worlds Players already fall under
the WFDF Anti-Doping Code, so they are already affected. They would
continue to have to get all necessary documentation together for use
of drugs for medical purposes (diabetes, asthma etc).
The only major change would be that International-level
players would be subject to out-of-competition testing. This means
that the NZSDA can test you even if there is no tournament on at the
time. Under any Anti-Doping Code, the NZFDA is required to keep a
directory of players at the International level, including up-to-date
contact information so that this testing can be carried out. Only
a very small number of test are carried out each year, however, the
possibility is there. The NZFDA (through the NZU for Ultimate players)
would need to keep these athletes informed as to the precautions they
need to take to avoid a positive test.
-
What am I allowed to consume?
Anything not on the banned list. With pseudoephedrine
and caffeine taken off the list, it is increasingly difficult to accidentally
test positive for a doping offence. Drugs such as Steroids are on
the list, as are other drugs such as methamphetamines, cocaine and
heroine. Some party pills may contain substances that are on the banned
list.
-
Is caffeine banned?
No, not at the moment, although the presence of caffeine
will be monitored and maybe added back onto the list if it is being
abused by athletes.
-
Is alcohol banned?
Yes, in some sports as set out on the WADA list -
not disc sports.
-
Is marijuana banned?
Marijuana is banned and will be tested in competition
for all sports.
http://www.nzsda.co.nz/substances_marijuana.html
-
Do I need to declare my asthma medication?
Yes. Brown preventers as well as blue relievers will
require the athlete to lodge an abbreviated Theraputic Use Exemption
(TUE) form before the athlete is tested.
-
Who carries out the testing?
In New Zealand, testing is carried out by the New
Zealand Sports Drug Agency (NZSDA)
-
Will I be tested?
Probably not. Testing is only carried out at National
Tournaments and International events. In New Zealand, it is likely
that there will be very few tests, if any carried out each year. The
closer you become to a New Zealand representative, the more likely
you are to be tested. If you do become a New Zealand representative,
you should expect to be tested and therefore you take more care with
any medical drug you may be prescribed.
-
When will I be tested?
Any player competing at a National Tournament can
be tested during the tournament.
Players on the NZFDA list of International Level
players can be tested during a tournament, or randomly at any time
out-of-competition.
-
What does it cost?
The NZSDA covers the cost of testing in New Zealand.
Relevant Links
|
|
