- Introduction
- WADA Croquet Associations
- Further Information
The World Croquet Federation (WCF) is not currently a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) anti-doping code.
Decision of WCF Council - General Policy (12th May 2009):
"Anti-doping policy should be left to the WCF Member Associations. The anti-doping policy in force at a WCF event should be the policy of the host association. Consequently, the WCF should not join WADA".
- WADA Promotional Film (Quicktime film)
- Playing True (Quicktime film)
- 2009 WADA Anti-Doping Code
- 2010 WADA Anti-Doping Code
However, WCF does recognise that individual Member Associations may themselves be affiliated to the WADA code via their own National Anti-Doping Agency (NADO). As such, those members may initiate drug testing themselves or, be so required by their own NADO. In support of those Member Associations, WCF incorporated a requirement for all players playing in WCF events to comply with the WADA code. This can be found in the WCF Sport Regulations - Regulation 25.1, re-iterated below:-
25.1.1 Doping is forbidden in order to protect the rights and health of players and to protect the values of fair play in sport in accordance with any Tournament Regulations of the host association that recognises any National Anti-Doping Agency and the World Anti-Doping Agency.
25.1.2 Where such recognition exists, the substances and procedures prohibited are those included in the World Anti-Doping Agency List of Doping Classes and Methods, with the exclusion of substances agreed between the National Anti-Doping Agency of the host association and host association.
25.1.3 An offence under this Regulation is committed when:
25.1.3.1 Any prohibited substance or procedure is found to be present in a player's body tissue or fluids; or
25.1.3.2 a player is found to have or admits to having used a prohibited substance or procedure; or
25.1.3.3 a player is found to have or admits to having assisted, induced or caused another player to use a prohibited substance or procedure; or
25.1.3.4 a player fails or refuses to comply with, or interferes with or obstructs, the provisions of 25.1.3.5 below.
25.1.3.5 A player must submit to a doping test at any time when requested by an official designated by the National Anti-Doping Agency recognised by the host association. Testing will be carried out by bodies approved or accredited in accordance with the requirements from time to time of the World Anti-Doping Agency and in accordance with their recommended procedures.
25.1.4 A player found to have committed an offence under 25.1.3 above, or comparable regulations of other WCF member associations, shall be disqualified from any events in which he was competing at the time of, or subsequent to, the offence and shall remain ineligible to compete in any WCF event for such period as shall be determined by disciplinary procedures of the host association.
The following WCF Member Associations are signatories to the World Anti-Doping Agency Code:-
Australian Croquet Association
Croquet Association of Ireland
Croquet Council of New Zealand
All games, matches, events, tournaments and Championships played with the sanction of and within the jurisdiction of these associations shall be subject to Anti-Doping controls.
The Croquet Association (of England) have advised WCF that they have "similar" anti-doping policies but are not WADA signatories.
- France;
- Germany;
- Spain;
- Sweden
2010 List of Prohibited Substances:-
- The full 2010 list of prohibited substances and methods.
- Summary of major modifications and clarifications to the 2009 list.
- Additional Information about Pseudoephedrine
- Find out more about the revised Prohibited List.
- 2010 WADA Monitoring Programme.
2009 List of Prohibited Substances:-
- The full 2009 list of prohibited substances and methods.
- Summary of major modifications and clarifications to the 2008 list.
- Find out more about the revised Prohibited List.
- 2009 WADA Monitoring Programme.
Guidance on Prohibited Substances:-
Therapeutic Use Exemption
This form should be forwarded to the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADO) of the relevant player before the event commences in sufficient time for them to arrange for a Therapeutic Use Exemption Committee to consider an application.
In all circumstances the responsibility for timely applications rests with the applicant.
Players may take a range of different drugs for medical ailments that would otherwise be prohibited by the WADA code. Like all others, they may have illnesses or conditions that require them to take particular medications. If the medication an athlete is required to take to treat an illness or condition happens to fall under the Prohibited List, a Therapeutic Use Exemption may give that athlete the authorization to take the needed medicine.
The criteria for granting a TUE is:-
- The athlete would experience significant health problems without taking the prohibited substance or method;
- The therapeutic use of the substance would not produce significant enhancement of performance, and
- There is no reasonable therapeutic alternative to the use of the otherwise prohibited substance or method.
Under the World Anti-Doping Code, WADA has issued an International Standard for the granting of TUE's. The standard states that all International Federations (IF's) and National Anti-Doping Organizations (NADO's) must have a process in place whereby athletes with documented medical conditions can request a TUE, and have such request appropriately dealt with by a panel of independent physicians called a Therapeutic Use Exemption Committee (TUEC). IF's and NADO's, through their TUEC's, are then responsible for granting or declining such applications.
As WCF is NOT a signatory to the WADA code it cannot accept any responsibility for issuing TUE's and hence players who consider that they may be affected should contact their own relevant National Croquet Association, the host National Croquet Association or NADO for an application form and further guidance.
The consequences of failure to provide a sample or providing a positive sample at any sanctioned event in the jurisdiction of a signatory croquet association can be severe.
As WCF is not affiliated to WADA, it has no role to play in any disciplinary processes resulting from failing to provide a sample or providing a positive sample at any event including WCF World Championships. Through the WCF Sports Regulations and their own disciplinary processes, responsibility for this rests with the host croquet association together with their NADO. In normal circumstances, in accordance with WADA guidelines, if found guilty of such offences, players may expect to be banned from participation in the sport for between two to four years for a first offence and, for life for a second or subsequent offence.
New anti-doping research highlights supplements risk (1st August 2008)
The importance of athletes thinking carefully about which supplements they use has been highlighted by research conducted by HFL Sport Science and Lucozade Sport which found that 10.5% of 152 supplements it tested contained prohibited substances not listed on the label.
Those member associations that will nominate players to play in the 2009 Women's World Golf Croquet Championship in Australia are asked to ensure that this is circulated as wide as possible.
The Australian Croquet Association is a signatory to the World Anti-Doping Agency Doping Code and anti-doping testing is likely take place at this Championship.