anti-doping & illicit drugs programme · illicit drugs programme annual report for season...

A N T I - D O P I N G & I L L I C I T D R U G S

P R O G R A M M E

2 01 6 – 1 7 A N N U A L R E P O R T

P R O F E S S I O N A L R U G B Y

Anti-Doping Programme

Education

Testing

Anti-Doping Rule Violations

Illicit Drugs Programme

Objectives

Education

Specialist Assessment & Treatment

Testing

Illicit Drugs Policy Violations

C O M M U N I T Y R U G B Y

Executive Summary

Awareness & Education

Testing

Anti-Doping Rule Violations

Research

C O N T E N T S

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Introduction

Foreword

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5Tutor Notes RFU Anti-Doping Report 2016–17

H E A D E R C O P Y H E A D E R C O P Y

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I N T R O D U C T I O NThis 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.

7Anti-Doping ProgrammeRFU Anti-Doping Report 2016–17

F O R E W O R D F O R E W O R D

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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.

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.

Nigel Melville Professional Rugby Director, Rugby Football Union and Anti-Doping Advisory Group Chairperson

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.

Pat Myhill Director of Operations, UK Anti-Doping



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P R O F E S S I O N A L R U G B Y

A N T I - D O P I N G P R O G R A M M E

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13Professional RugbyRFU Anti-Doping Report 2016–17

A N T I - D O P I N G P R O G R A M M E E D U C A T I O N

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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.

623SAMPLES COLLEC TED

SAMPLES COLLEC TED FROM JUNIOR ACADEMIES

87% OF TESTS OUT OF COMPE TITION

47EDUCATION WORKSHOPS

14% SAMPLES WERE BLOOD

0ANTI-DOPING VIOL ATIONS


T E S T I N G

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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.

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.

Professional Rugby RFU World Rugby

Six Nations

EPCR Total

Number of tests conducted using each sample collection method

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

205 0 0 24 229

Greene King IPA Championship

130 0 0 0 130

Junior Academy (U17/U18)

108 0 0 0 108

Total number of tests conducted

Total tests conducted 455 140 4 24 623


A N T I - D O P I N G R U L E V I O L A T I O N S

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.

I L L I C I T D R U G S P R O G R A M M E

302SAMPLES COLLEC TED


I L L I C I T D R U G S P R O G R A M M E

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F O R E W O R D

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.

Dr Simon Kemp Chief Medical Officer, Rugby Football Union

95% OF SAMPLES COLLEC TED WERE HAIR


3MONTH AVER AGE DE TEC TION PERIOD PER HAIR SAMPLE

1ILLICIT DRUGS PROGR AMME VIOL ATION

0ADMISSIONS OF USE


O B J E C T I V E S

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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.

RFU ILLICIT

DRUGS POLICY

ANTI-DOPING

PROGRAMME

IN-COMPETITION OUT-OF-COMPETITION

PERFO

RM

AN

CE

ENHA

NC

ING

ILLI

CIT

DRU

GS

27Professional RugbyRFU Anti-Doping Report 2016-17

E D U C A T I O N T E S T I N G

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.

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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.

S P E C I A L I S T A S S E S S M E N T & T R E A T M E N T

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

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

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RFU Anti-Doping Report 2016–17

I L L I C I T D R U G S P O L I C Y V I O L A T I O N S

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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.



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C O M M U N I T Y R U G B Y

33Community RugbyRFU Anti-Doping Report 2016–1732

E X E C U T I V E S U M M A R Y F O R E W O R D

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 anti-doping 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.

Steve Grainger Rugby Development Director, Rugby Football Union119

987SCHOOLBOYS PARTICIPATED IN RFU RESE ARCH PROJEC T

SAMPLES COLLEC TED


4ANTI-DOPING VIOL ATIONS



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A W A R E N E S S & E D U C A T I O N T E S T I N G

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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.

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.

Community Rugby: Total

Number of tests conducted using each sample collection method

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


C O M M U N I T Y R U G B Y A N T I - D O P I N G R U L E V I O L A T I O N S

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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

L E E D S B E C K E T T R E S E A R C H R E P O R T & C O M M U N I T Y R U G B Y A N T I - D O P I N G S T R A T E G Y


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’ decision-making 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.

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)

• 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

• 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 resource- http://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

Pathway players aged 14-18

(As part of an overdetermining approach; to include teachers, parents, youth 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

• Promote a food first approach to nutrition. Food for Rugby resource- http://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


Community Adult Rugby Players

(As part of an overdetermining approach; to include coaches and other people of influence)

• 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


• 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

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 pro-actively 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.

T E A M W O R K R E S P E C T E N J O Y M E N T D I S C I P L I N E S P O R T S M A N S H I P

The RFU Rose and the words ‘England Rugby’ are official registered trade marks of the Rugby Football Union.

Contact

Stephen Watkins Anti-Doping and Illicit Drugs Programme Manager

E: [email protected] T: 020 8831 7603

Richard Nunn Anti-Doping and Illicit Drugs Programme Officer

E: [email protected] T: 020 8831 7604

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