Anti-Dopping
The GMM T20 Governing Council is committed to ensuring that cricket is a drug free sport. Anti-doping programmes across all sports are intended to promote ethically fair and drug free sport, with the aim of producing sportsmen and women who are competing and winning fairly.
The GMM T20 Governing Council works closely with Anti-Doping , BCCI and the ICC to conduct a comprehensive anti-doping programme that covers education, testing and results management.
The GMM T20 Anti-Doping web pages outline these areas, providing information to players and coaches on helping them make sensible, informed decisions about competing drug-free, their requirements to comply with anti-doping regulations and the relevant resources required to do this.
The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was formed in 1999 following an International Olympic Committee conference on doping that was held primarily in response to the revelations of the 1998 Tour de France.
This conference produced the Lausanne Declaration on Doping in Sport which recommended the formation of an International Anti-Doping Agency in time for the start of the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Since then it has sought to globally standardise anti-doping policy, regulation and rules across sports organisations and authorities. The WADA code provides the mechanism for this harmonisation, supported by five International Standards and further models of good practice. The latest version of the WADA Code came into effect on 1 January 2015.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) is a signatory to the WADA Code, and thus as a member of the ICC is therefore obliged to ensure that the GMMT20’s anti-doping rules are WADA compliant.
More information
Anti-Doping Testing
What is the drug testing procedure?
In compliance with the WADA International Standard for Testing and Investigations the GMM T20 operates a strong in and out of competition anti-doping testing programme which is conducted by us . Players may also be subject to anti-doping testing outside of the GMM T20 programme when competing in other competitions under the jurisdiction of the ICC or other governing bodies (e.g. IPL).
The in competition testing period is defined as 06:00 local time on the first day of a match up until 1 hour following the completion of the match. The entire duration of a match lasting longer than 1 day will be viewed as an in competition period. A player may be notified for an in competition test at any point during this time.
The out of competition testing period is therefore any time out of the in competition period including training and rest days.
Under the Anti-Doping Rules any cricketer could be selected for testing with no advanced notice, anytime, anywhere.
There is though a nominated pool of players, which consists of the players who will be subject to regular in and out of competition anti-doping testing. Players competing at a level within this pool must be aware of their individual responsibilities in relation to GMM T20 Anti-Doping Rules, Therapeutic Use Exemptions and the Prohibited List.
The main anti-doping testing pool consists of:
- All Representative Teams
- We ensure and make the anti-doping testing programme in cricket as effective and intelligent as possible. Further information on Testing and the procedures involved in sample collection can be found in the Testing Programme section of the Website. Protecting the Right to Enjoy Doping-Free Sport
Anti-Doping Sample Collection
The anti-doping sample collection process follows a set procedure that is outlined simply below. All anti-doping sample collection is carried out by trained staff known as Doping Control Officers who may be assisted by chaperones.
The first time you are asked to provide a sample for anti-doping testing it can be quite daunting so it is important to familiarise with some of the key points of the process. It is also crucial to remember that refusing to provide a sample when selected for doping control is an Anti-Doping Rule Violation and under the 2015 WADA Code could lead to a 4 year ban.
- You will be approached by a Doping Control Officer and told that you have been selected to provide a sample for anti-doping testing. This is most likely to be at a training session or following the end of your involvement in a day’s play of a match.
- A chaperone will take you to the Doping Control Station. You can also ask a representative such as a coach, physio or parent to come with you.
- A urine sample will be collected from you – you will have to do this in front of a Doping Control Officer who will be the same gender as you.
- The Doping Control Officer will confirm your sample is suitable to be analysed in the laboratory.
- You will have to pour your sample into containers you have selected. Check that your sample is closed securely.
- You will have to complete a sample collection form and sign this at the end of the collection. You will have a copy to take away with you.
Remember if you have any questions at any time speak to Doping Control Staff, the support staff within your team or contact the Governing Council Anti-Doping Manager directly.
Reporting Doping
We also offers a confidential Report Doping in Sport service. Any information reported will be dealt with by the GMM T20 Governing Council who adopt the principles of the National Intelligence Model (NIM) to prioritise issues in doping and allocate the resources to deal with them accordingly.
An addition to the new 2015 Code related to includes improvements in the provision for investigations which ensures that every anti-doping organisation must have the resources to obtain, assess and handle anti-doping intelligence and information. GMM T20 already has the capability to deal with intelligence and actively conducts investigations into suspected doping violations.
This work enables effective testing and investigations strategies, informs education and prevention programme and undoubtedly leads to the discovery of anti-doping rule violations that would have remained undetected through a standard testing based approach.
GMM T20 Illicit Drugs Programme
What is the illicit drugs policy and how does it help keep cricket clean?
The GMM T20 Illicit Drugs Policy has been developed in partnership by Many Councils & Associations . It is intended to fill a gap in the WADA Code and Prohibited List to screen for illicit substances out of competition.
The primary objective of the policy is to identify players who may have serious issues with substance abuse and ensure that they are provided with the most appropriate course of treatment. Only if the player fails to comply, or commits a second violation, are they liable to sanction and public disclosure.
Positive tests for illicit drugs following in-competition tests conducted under the anti-doping programme by Council continue to be dealt with in accordance with anti-doping rules. Counselling and treatment may still be made available to the player.
Legal highs
Legal highs are a group of substances or products that carry the same or similar effects as more well recognised illicit drugs. Just because they are sold as ‘legal’ it does not mean they are legal or safe.
They carry with them many of the legal, ethical and health issues that illicit drugs do, some of these are outlined below.
An obvious starting point is that using the type of substances termed legal highs is not conducive to being a professional athlete and the physical and mental demands this brings.
They are not always legal – mephedrone (not to be confused with methadone) which is probably the most talked about ‘legal high’ is now a class b drug (illegal to possess or supply).
The government’s attempts to address the issue can inadvertently cause further problems. Manufacturers may use unknown or new chemicals to substitute those which have been made illegal with no real understanding of how they may affect a person other than they are similar to those previously used.
The term ‘legal high’ compounds these issues by almost adding credibility, giving some sort of security to the user. Many products are also given (brand) names to add to this still further – e.g. Bliss, Cherry Bomb, Happy Caps (the list is almost endless).
There is also no legislation on what goes into these type of products, it could be anything. There is no requirement to be safe for humans and they are sold ‘not for human consumption’. Many are labelled for other purposes, again citing mephedrone, this is labelled as some sort of plant food.
They are prohibited under anti-doping rules. Although they may not be explicitly included on the prohibited list they would fall under the catch all ‘other substances with a similar chemical structure or similar biological effect(s)’. On the whole most legal highs are amphetamine, stimulant type substances and so would fall under the S6 Stimulants category of the WADA Prohibited List.
Much like illicit drugs these are obviously not very good for your health and there are regular cases linking to death.
Education
Anti-doping – how does GMM T20 educate players?
The Council , in conjunction with the Coaches , Players and Parents , is committed to developing and furthering the provision of anti-doping education to players and support staff at international, First Class, Super League and Academy level along with other points on the Performance Pathway.
As well as the delivery of direct education sessions and provision of resources, nominated key staff will be provided information and guidance so that they themselves can advise players within their team on current anti-doping policy and rules in an engaging fashion.
The Learning Zone provides useful information on anti-doping education. The online Anti-Doping Advisor course is a great entry point for anyone wanting to learn more about anti-doping but may prove particularly useful to support staff that provide occasional, informal advice to athletes on anti-doping.
There are a number of resources available to cricketers to help them meet their anti-doping requirements. The Council has a number of specific advice cards (Senior, Academy, Parent, Illicit Drugs) designed to be kept in a kit bag for referral or to serve as a reminder.
Nutritional Supplements
Why should you check before taking nutritional supplements?
A balanced diet that considers the principles of sports nutrition along with proper training and recovery practices is essential in supporting a player in their cricket performance. Supplements cannot replace these concepts and will have little effect if these are not first in place.
There is evidence to support the effectiveness of some supplements but equally there are many for which there is no evidence that they provide any actual benefit.
Crucially there can be no guarantee that any supplement product is free of prohibited substances, be that through unknown contamination or due to listed ingredients.
Due to differing regulatory requirements involved in their production Global DRO cannot provide information on the status of nutritional supplements.
Before using any nutritional supplement a player should seek the advice of a suitably qualified and experienced member of medical or coaching staff to assess the need to use a supplement and the risk associated, not only in relation to the prohibited list but also possible effects to health.
Under the WADA Code, the principle of strict liability dictates that a player is solely responsible for any prohibited substance found to be present in his or her body. Consuming a contaminated supplement, or one containing a prohibited substance not mentioned on the label, is not a defence to testing positive for a prohibited substance.
Batch testing can reduce the risk of contamination and Informed Sport programme provides the best way of reducing the risks associated with supplement use but even with batch testing there is still no guarantee that a supplement is completely safe to use.
The ICC has issued a position statement on nutritional supplements which provides further guidance.
Prohibited List and Checking Medication
What is the prohibited list?
In order to ensure that all players, coaches and support staff are clear on the substances that constitute doping in sport, WADA produces the Prohibited List. This list is an internationally agreed standard identifying the substances and methods of use that are prohibited within sport.
It also defines when these substances are prohibited as there is some variation between those that are prohibited only in competition (duration of a match) and those that are prohibited both in and out of competition. Substances and methods of use are classified by categories (e.g. Anabolic Agents, Stimulants, Growth Factors).
The use of any Prohibited Substance by an athlete for medical reasons is possible by virtue of a Therapeutic Use Exemption. The WADA Prohibited List is revised each year, with the new list coming into effect from 1 January.
For a substance to be placed on the prohibited list it does not have to be merely performance enhancing, it must satisfy 2 out of 3 of the following criteria:
1) Evidence that the substance or method enhances or has the potential to enhance performance
2) Evidence that the substance or method represents an actual or potential health risk to the athlete
3) Determination by WADA that non-sanctioned use of the substance or method violates the spirit of sport.
WADA 2016 Prohibited List
It is important to remember that from 1 January 2010 Pseudoephedrine was listed as a prohibited substance. Therefore it is very important that you check the ingredients of any cold or flu remedies you may be thinking of using or consider not using them at all.
Checking Medication
The website Global Drug Reference Online (Global DRO) is the only definitive resource for any athlete wishing to check the prohibited status of any medication they are considering using.
Here you will be able to carry out a straightforward search branded products or selected ingredients and be provided with up to date information on the medication in question. Global DRO will also provide guidance on whether or not particular medications and their ingredients are prohibited in or out of competition.
It is important to remember that Global DRO cannot be used to search the prohibited status of nutritional supplements.
Therapeutic Use Exemption
Cricket players at a certain level are required to submit a TUE application if they wish to use a prohibited substance or method to treat a legitimate medical condition.
An international level player is required to apply to ICC and a national level player to Council .
There are two types of TUE application form, Standard and Beta-2 Agonist. Both types of application must be supported by detailed medical history and clinical evidence to be considered by the relevant TUE Committee.
There are four main considerations that will be made by the TUE Committee in relation to an application.
1) Impairment to athlete’s health if the treatment is withheld.
2) Treatment does not enhance performance directly.
3) No alternative therapy available that is not prohibited.
4) Necessity for the treatment does not stem from previous use of a prohibited substance.
From 1st January 2012 the therapeutic use of non-systemic glucocorticosteroid injections and glucocorticosteroid inhalers no longer require a TUE or online declaration.
The Beta-2 Agonist inhalers salbutamol and salmeterol (maximum therapeutic threshold of 1600 micrograms in 24 hours) along with formoterol (maximum therapeutic threshold of 46 micrograms in 24 hours) do not require a TUE or online declaration either. Please note that other longer acting Beta-2 Agonist inhalers such as terbutaline still require a TUE.
Currently only players at the following levels of competition must hold a valid TUE prior to testing:
- India Representative Teams
- First Class Teams
Young and Recreational Players
Advice for young and recreational players.
Although anti-doping testing is focused primarily on the elite and professional athletes in all sports the principles and values provide the reasoning for anti-doping rules are relevant to all levels of sport.
Cricketers want to know their matches are fair, that it is a competition of talent, umpires are impartial and pitches are suitable. Alongside all of these elements they want to know that all performances are natural and no one has gained an unfair advantage.
It is also important to recognise that anti-doping rules in cricket, just as in any other sport, could be applied by Coouncil or ICC to a player or member of support staff at any level of the game, not just those who are regularly tested.
But you don’t need to know the ins and outs of anti-doping rules to recognize the core principles that are central to athletes and players in all sports at all levels. Whether you are a recreational cricketer competing for your local club or a young player moving along a performance pathway the spirit of sport is undoubtedly important to you.
Council outline a number of fundamental factors for anyone competing in sport that are consistent with anti-doping principles and processes.
Moral , ethics, fair play and honesty
This is central to cricket at all levels; a batsman who walks when he nicks it, a fielder who admits the ball didn’t quite carry for a catch. Players compete hard but are honest with those involved in their matches, they know what is right and wrong and they want success to be earned through fair play. Clearly performance enhancement through doping does not fit with these core beliefs of cricketers.
Health
Many people take part in sport and physical activity as a way of improving their health and for any cricketer health is important. Recovery, hydration, a balanced diet and a good night’s sleep are all simple principles that can improve your cricketing performance. Using prohibited substances may seem like an attractive short cut but misuse of such substances and even medications that are not on the WADA Prohibited list could have significant negative health consequences.
Excell in performance
Whatever level they are playing at a cricketer will always try to be the best player they can be. They may not take five wickets or score centuries but the best thing about playing cricket is taking part and doing your best. Preparation, working with coaches, teammates and parents will help you achieve this.
Character and Education
As a cricketer it is important to know what you are aiming for, what are your targets and goals. Education can not only help you better understand aspects of nutrition and training to help you with your cricket it will also prepare your for your future career be that in cricket, after cricket or not related to cricket at all. Coaches, teachers, parents, teammates and friends are all there to help you.
Fun and Enjoyment
Everyone plays cricket because they enjoy it and want to have fun. Through cricket you can meet new people, work as a team, travel to new places and develop as a person that will help you in your life outside of your cricket just as much as when you are playing.
Teamwork and sportsmanship
Learning how to work together as part of a team is a fantastic experience cricket can give you with everyone using their own particular skills and attributes together for the ultimate benefit of the team as a whole. Teamwork is a crucial experience to have and will be transferable to many other aspects of your life.
Dedication and commitment
Any professional cricketer will tell you there are no short cuts to reach the top. The years of hard work, training, sacrifice and perseverance make it all the more satisfying when you reach your end goal. Bad decisions such as using performance enhancing substances may seem like they could help you to get there quicker but in reality could ruin your dreams and prevent you from playing any cricket at all.
Respect for rules and laws
Clearly there are many rules and regulations in cricket which everyone must follow to enjoy the game to its fullest and play it in the spirit it should be. Some rules are in books or on the internet, others are unwritten, but all should be observed and respected.
Respect for yourself and other players
It is crucial to show respect to other players, officials and anyone that helps you to play cricket before, during and after matches as without them there would be no matches to take part in. Your teammates and those you play against are all trying to be the best cricketer they can and all of your cricket activity should be undertaken in the true spirit of sport.
Courage and resilience
Being the best cricketer you can be is not just about physical strength and fitness. Being mentally strong, showing courage and resilience are just as important. Training that bit longer, not giving up, occupying the crease, picking yourself up after you’ve bowled a poor over all of these types of characteristics make you a better cricketer and learning from your mistakes rather than letting them upset you can help you improve further.
Community and solidarity
Being part of a team, representing your village, club, district, county or even country is what cricket is all about. You should be proud of whatever you achieve and learn from victories and defeats with your teammates.
Simple anti-doping considerations for everyone
It can seem that anti-doping rules are complicated and competing as a clean cricketer is difficult but they really aren’t.
Considering the sporting principles outlined above and starting some simple processes will ensure that you meet any current and future anti-doping responsibilities and compete in the true spirit of cricket.
Start getting prepared now
Ask some questions, find out more about what the rules mean for you and what resources and support are available. This Council webpage is a great place to start for any cricketer.
Be aware of the WADA Prohibited List and start to check the medications you are thinking of using. Just because you can buy something in a supermarket, it is in the medicine cabinet at home or even a doctor has prescribed it for you does not mean it is ok to use.
There are no short cuts to cricketing success and using nutritional supplements are not a suitable substitute for the principles of sports nutrition, recover, training and hard work. It may be tempting to use nutritional supplements because they are advertised by elite athletes but it is imperative that you consult an expert to assess the need to use and risk associated with a product as no guarantee can be given that any product is free of prohibited substances.
Your lifestyle away from cricket is just as important as when you are training and playing. You may already be considering how you spend your time, who you socialise with, where you go and how you can improve your sporting performance and prepare for life after cricket.
Remember illicit drugs such as cannabis and cocaine are not only on the WADA Prohibited List but are also illegal.
Finally understand the principle of strict liability. Whatever you take, whatever you do it is your responsibility.