| 1. | Position Statement |
| 1.1 | Croquet NSW, Incorporated (referred to in this appendix as the "Association") condemns the use of performance enhancing drugs and doping practices in croquet because they are contrary to the ethics of croquet and potentially harmful to the health of players. |
| 1.2 | The Association Doping Policy aims to deter doping practices in croquet by: |
| a. making those found to have engaged in a doping practice liable to effective sanctions; |
| b. educating and informing those persons and clubs to which this policy applies; |
| c supporting the drug testing program and education initiatives of the Australian Sports Drug Agency (ASDA). |
| 1.3 | Persons and clubs to which this policy applies may be investigated and disciplined under the terms of this policy. In doing so the Information Privacy Principles of the Privacy Act 1988 will be observed. |
| 2. | Doping Practices |
| 2.1 | This policy applies to all affiliated members and employees of the Association. |
| 2.2 | For the purpose of this policy a doping practice is: |
| a. the taking of substances or use of methods prohibited by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) as referred to on the IOC List of Doping Classes and Methods; |
| b. refusal to provide a sample for testing when requested by a drug testing authority recognised by the Association; or |
| c. assisting, or being involved in a doping practice. |
| 2.3 | A person or club to which this policy applies must not engage in a doping practice. |
| 2.4 | The IOC List of Doping Classes and Metbods is frequently revised by the IOC. Details can be obtained by consulting the ASDA hotline (008 020506). It includes stimulants, narcotics, anabolic agents, diuretics, peptide and glycipoprotein hormones and analogues, blood doping and pharmacological, chemical and physical manipulation. Alcohol, marijuana, local anaesthetics, corticosteroids and beta-blockers are drugs that are subject to certain restrictions. Examples and explanations are included in the Australian Sports Commission's current doping policy document. |
| 3. | Drug Testing Authorities |
| 3.1 | The Association will accept the results of tests conducted by any agency which conducts sampling or testing on players for the detection of a prohibited drug where the methods of sampling and testing accord with 10C Procedures and the sample is analysed by an IOC accredited laboratory (including the ASDA) |
| 3.2 | A test result will not be invalidated by reason of a technical departure from applicable procedures. Where a player contends that sampling or testing did not conform with the procedures of the relevant drug testing authority the player must show that the result of the variations cast significant doubt on the correctness of the test result. |
| 4. | Hearings and Investigations |
| 4.1 | A person or club alleged to have been involved in a doping practice has a right to a hearing. Guidelines for procedures are given in the Australian Sports Commission's current doping policy document. |
| 4.2 | Where the Association Secretary receives information that a person or club to which this policy applies may have breached this policy the Secretary may: |
| a. notify in writing the person or club concerned of the intention of the Association to conduct an enquiry, and set out the procedures for the enquiry; |
| b. suspend financial or other assistance to such person or club; |
| c. invite such person or club to attend or be heard by the Association, and to indicate why the sanctions prescribed in this doping policy should not be applied, |
| d. notify the club of which the person is a member of the intention of the Association to determine whether this policy has been breached and what sanction should be applied; |
| e. appoint a Committee to conduct a hearing to determine whether abreach of this policy has occurred, and what sanction to apply. |
| 4.3 | The Committee conducting the hearing will provide a written statement to the Secretary stating the findings of the investigation and its decision. |
| 5. | Notification |
| 5.1 | The Secretary will inform the person and/or club, and the Association Executive of the decision of the Committee. Other agencies may be advised of the decision of the Committee as the Secretary determines is appropriate. |
| 6. | Sanctions |
| The following sanctions will be applied by the Association to a person or club found to have participated in a doping practice. |
| 6.1 | For individuals |
| a. For the duration of the sanction, a person will: |
| not be eligible to be selected to represent Australia in international competition in any sport., |
| .be banned from competing in any events and competitions conducted by or under the auspices of any sporting organisation., |
| . have awards, placings and records won from the date of the doping practice withdrawn; |
| . not be eligible to receive, directly or indirectly, funding or assistance from the Association or other sporting organisations; |
| remain on ASDA's register for the purpose of out-of-competition testing; and |
| not be able to hold office in any sporting organisation. |
| b. Subject to clause 6. 1 c of this policy, sanctions will apply to individuals for the following periods: (i) a minimum of two years for the first breach., (ii) life for the second breach. |
| c. When a breach occurs out-of-competition a- lesser period may be imposed if it involves a substance on the lOC List of Doping Classes and Methods, other than anabolic steroids or peptide hormones and analogues, which was administered for a specific therapeutic purpose. Where such circumstances occur in competition the minimum penalty for a first offence will be disqualification and withdrawal of awards, placings and records won at the event.The minimum penalty for a second such offence in competition will be a three month suspension and thereafter the sanctions prescribed in clause 6. lb. |
| d. The Association may consult the Medical Advisory Panel appointed by the Australian Sports Commission for assistance in interpreting a positive test result. |
| e. A sanction will normally apply from the date of a doping practice. |
| f The Association will recognise and enforce sanctions imposed by other sporting organisations. |
| 6.2 | The participation of a member of a team in a doping practice may result in a penalty affecting the team. |
| 6.3 | Clubs found to have committed a breach of this policy may be disaffiliated. |
| 6.4 | Association employees found to have committed a breach of this policy may be disciplined. |
| 6,5 | The Association recognises the unique position of players with disabilities who may require substances on the lOC List of Doping Classes and Methods for therapeutic reasons. The Association recognises that the Australian Confederation of Sports for the Disabled has established a medical tribunal to examine test results from such players to determine whether such a substance was administered for a medical reason. |
| 7 | Review of Sanctions |
| 7.1 | Where a sanction has been imposed by the association under this policy and relevant and new information concerning a breach becomes available, written application may be made to the Secretary setting out the grounds for a possible review of that sanction. |