Anti-Doping

Australian Football Anti-Doping Code

Under this Code the AFL and its Affiliated State or Territory Body; (WA Football Commission Inc) prohibits the classes of substances and methods which are prohibited under the Prohibited List.

This Code also sets out various restrictions and requirements that apply in relation to the use and administration of certain substances and methods that are not prohibited under the Prohibited List but use of may breach AFL Rules.

All Athletes and other Persons shall be responsible for knowing what constitutes an anti-doping rule violation and the substances and methods that have been included on the Prohibited List.

It is the responsibility of each person to whom this Code applies to ensure that he or she understands and complies with this Code.

This Code is adopted and implemented in accordance with AFL's responsibility as a Signatory to the World Anti-Doping Code, and in furtherance of AFL's continuing efforts to eradicate doping in sport. The AFL subscribes to a philosophy and adopts a stance that: 

1. Ensures that Australian football competitions are conducted upon the basis of athletic prowess and natural levels of fitness and development and not on any pharmacologically enhanced performance; 
2. Protects participants from using substances which may cause acute or long-term harm to their bodies; 
3. Educates the participants to understand the dangers and consequences of the use of performance enhancing substances; and 
4. Sets an example for all participants in the sport of Australian football by condemning the use of performance enhancing substances.

AFL Anti-Doping Code
West Australian Football League Anti-Doping Policy
 

Sport Integrity Australia

Established in July 2020, Sport Integrity Australia’s role is to keep Australian sport safe and fair, at all levels, for all participants.

Sport Integrity Australia is here to protect sport, The WA Football Commission in conjunction with SIA believe prevention and education is the key. SIA have developed education resources about sport integrity for all levels of sport.

Under the World Anti-Doping Code there are 11 possible Anti-Doping Rule Violations. All relate to athletes, regardless of the level you compete at. Some also relate to Support Staff – Coaches, Team Managers and Doctors. Explore all 11 ADRV’s in the link below to find out more.

Anti-Doping Rule Violations

Some drugs, medications, substances and methods are banned in sport. Athletes competing in sports governed by a World Anti-Doping Code compliant anti-doping policy need to be aware that they can’t just take any drug or medication, or even use certain methods.

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) updates and publishes the Prohibited List each year.
This list is the International Standard that outlines:

• The substances and methods that are prohibited in- and out-of-competition.
• The sports in which the substances and methods are prohibited.

Keep up to date with all the latest information in the prohibited list link below.

Prohibited List

Athletes may at times need to use a prohibited medication and/or method to treat a legitimate medical condition. A Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) is an exemption that allows an athlete to use, for therapeutic purposes only, an otherwise prohibited substance or method (of administering a substance). Find out how to apply for a TUE in the link below. 

Therapeutic Use Exemptions-(TUE)

Many failed anti-doping tests in Australia are from using supplements. Our advice is that no supplement is safe to use. As a player, you should not risk your career by taking a supplement because many supplements are contaminated with substances prohibited in sport. These may not be listed on ingredient labels. Discuss supplement use with your club/team dietitian & doctor. 

Check out all the Do’s & Don’ts in the supplements link below.

Supplements in Sport

Testing (also known as a sample collection) is an essential part of an Anti-Doping program. The West Australian Football League (WAFL) conducts testing programs to detect the presence/use of prohibited substances or methods by athletes. Find out more in the Athlete testing link below.

Athlete Testing
 

Sport Integrity App

With over 80,000 app downloads, the Sport Integrity app is a useful resource to inform and protect players and administrators in the sport integrity space, wherever they compete, perform or play. The app was originally developed with the goal to help Australian athletes compete clean. Since its launch in 2018, the app has been improved to meet the needs of all players.

Useful app functionalities include:

• Help for athletes to check medications before using them
• How to find low risk batch-tested supplements
• How to report a sport integrity issue or suspicious activity
• Check if an in-advance Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE) is needed
• Access to Sport Integrity Australia’s online education
• Information on match-fixing, illicit drugs, TUEs, testing, anti-doping and athlete whereabouts
• Send feedback on testing, education or another part of our work

Download the App. via the QR Code link below.
Sport Integrity Australia App.

Match Fixing

Competition manipulation, sometimes referred to as match fixing, is an intentional act to improperly alter the course of a sports competition to obtain a benefit. It can be performed by individual competitors, entire teams, support staff, match officials or venue staff.

Criminals are often involved in competition manipulation to illegally profit through betting markets. Competition manipulation can also be motivated by obtaining sport-related benefits or advantages, such as obtaining inside player information or fixing the result of a match.

Sport Integrity Australia with the AFL and its state and territory affiliated bodies (WA Football Commission Inc), the sports wagering?industry, state and territory regulators and international counterparts to provide a clearer, more transparent, and consistent sports wagering regulatory framework. This is done to protect Australian Football from competition manipulation and sports wagering related threats.

AFL Gambling and Match Fixing Policy
West Australian Football League Gambling Policy

Competition Manipulation is purposely removing the unpredictable nature of a sporting activity. Australian Football should be protected from manipulation, so all competitions are fair and equal. This includes relevant persons betting on a sporting activity they’re connected with.

Competition Manipulation and Sports Gambling

PROHIBITED CONDUCT

Competition Manipulation means manipulating any part of a sporting event to gain a benefit by removing unpredictability.

• Fixing the result of a match/event
• Intentionally conceding points or committing deliberate ‘free kicks’
• Tanking (by selection or underperformance)
• Intentionally providing false information about a player or team strategy
• Intentionally modifying playing surfaces
• Intentionally incorrect umpiring/officiating
• Members betting on their own team/club
• Disclosing inside information that can be used for gambling purposes
• Failing to report prohibited conduct

Competition Manipulation and Sports Gambling eLearning 

Everyone involved in football including players, employees, coaches, officials, contractors and support personnel at all levels should be aware of competition manipulation threats and their relevant sport specific policy. 

To help increase awareness, SIA have developed a ‘Competition Manipulation and Sports Gambling’ eLearning program that covers the following key areas: 

• What competition manipulation is and why people are motivated to engage in it?
• Rules about betting on your own sport
• Why misusing inside information is prohibited
• How you may be approached or targeted by a corrupter and what you should do if approached
• Reporting requirements if you are approached, or have knowledge or suspicions relating to competition manipulation, and
• The consequences if you engage in competition manipulation

The Competition Manipulation and Sports Gambling eLearning program is available in the;

Sport Integrity Australia Education Portal