In this section:

News: Media Statement

Statement by the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority concerning the AFL Anti-Doping Program - 3 August 2007

Under contract with the AFL, ASADA undertakes approximately 500 In-Competition and Out-of-Competition tests on AFL players annually.   

It should be noted that this is separate to the AFL’s Illicit Drugs Policy (IDP) testing, which has been increased this year to undertake more than 1000 IDP tests by a private pathology company.

This program involves the collection and analysis of urine and blood samples for all prohibited substances that can be detected through current testing methods.

The specific criteria as approved by the AFL and employed by ASADA are as follows:

The AFL’s In-Competition (match-day) testing program encompasses:

• The AFL Pre-season Competition
• The AFL Premiership Season
• The AFL Finals Series

Selections for In-Competition testing are random, however target testing can be authorised by the AFL Medical Officer.

Testing In-Competition is evenly distributed across all AFL Clubs; the schedule for testing is determined by ASADA.

The AFL’s Out-of-Competition (non match-day) testing program encompasses:

All other times when the player is not In-Competition, including the player ‘holiday period’.

Selections for Out-of-Competition testing are based on the World Anti-Doping Agency International Standard for Testing. Testing Out-of-Competition is evenly distributed across all AFL Clubs, with the timing determined by ASADA.

The following are the criteria used by ASADA to determine who is tested Out-of-Competition:

1. Testing during the holiday or player leave period

A number of players are contacted during their holiday break by ASADA using the individual whereabouts details each player provided to their Club. All players have been accessible and fully co-operative and supportive of the process. AFL Club training camps both in Australia and overseas are also targeted by ASADA.

2. Urine testing for EPO

Urine testing for EPO is conducted on high endurance players from each Club. ASADA determines which players receive urine testing.

3. High performance players

The top 3 players from each Club’s Best and Fairest list for the previous season are targeted for testing. All-Australian players that were not in their Club’s top three Best and Fairest results are also targeted under these criteria.

4. All newly drafted players and rookies promoted to the senior list

All November National and December pre-season draftees are target tested prior to their first AFL match. ASADA ensures those rookies promoted to the senior list throughout the season are tested at the earliest opportunity.

5. Long term injuries

All players placed on the long term injury list are targeted for testing.

6. Club listed Rookies

At least one rookie per club is tested every season.

7. Intelligence based testing

Intelligence based testing can take place having regard to:

Any significant injury regardless of period in rehabilitation

Periods of absence from club training

• Sudden major improvements in performance (training or competition)
• Details of past tests
• Players relocating clubs, placed on short term contracts

8. Players who have not been tested for 2 seasons

All players not tested in their previous two seasons will be target tested under these criteria.

9. Random testing

The remaining out of competition tests are evenly distributed across all AFL Clubs.

---

» Download Links
[ PDF 61 Kb | RTF 895 Kb ]

Archive:
» More ASADA Media Statements...

 

Login:

Athletes’ Zone: