England Hockey Anti-doping Policy

Welcome to England Hockey's Anti-Doping Policy, a pivotal cornerstone in our commitment to maintaining the integrity and fairness of the sport. As the governing body for hockey in England, we are steadfast in our dedication to ensuring that every participant, from players to officials, operates within a framework that upholds the highest standards of ethical conduct. Our Anti-Doping Policy is designed to foster a level playing field, where the spirit of healthy competition thrives and where the fundamental principles of fairness and respect are upheld.

At England Hockey, we recognise the importance of a clean and drug-free sporting environment. Our Anti-Doping Policy aligns with international standards and regulations, reflecting our unwavering stance against the use of performance-enhancing substances.

Anti-Doping Policy

Definitions

• “Athlete” means any Person (including any Recreational Athlete) who competes at any level in the sport under the jurisdiction of England Hockey. For purposes of Article 2.8 and Article 2.9 of the UK Anti-Doping Rules, an Athlete is any Person (including any Recreational Athlete) who participates at any level in any sport under the authority of any signatory, government or other sports organisation accepting the Code;
• “Athlete Support Person” - means any team manager, team support staff (sport scientist, doctor, physiotherapist, strength & conditioning coach etc.), agent, official, parent or any other Person working with, treating or assisting an Athlete participating in or preparing for sports competition;
• “Coach” - means any coach working with an Athlete participating in or preparing for sports competition;
• “Club” - means an association of persons or organisation, whether or not including ‘club’ within its name, established for purposes that include the playing of hockey;
• "Members" - means all the individuals, corporations, associations, clubs and organisations admitted to membership (of any class or category) of England Hockey either pursuant to the Company’s Articles or in accordance with regulations made pursuant to those Articles whether entitled to vote at General Meetings or not;
• “Participant” - means any Athlete or Athlete Support Person;
• “Person” - means a natural Person or an organisation or other entity.

^{All words in the singular also include the plural.}

1. The anti-doping rules of England Hockey are the UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) Rules published by UK Anti-Doping Limited, as amended from time to time. Such rules shall take effect and be construed as rules of England Hockey.
2. The Articles of England Hockey allow individuals, corporations, associations, clubs and organisations to become members of England Hockey. By virtue of such membership, all of the above, along with any participants of any of these member bodies, will be bound by, and agree to comply with, the anti-doping rules of England Hockey. The UK Anti-Doping Rules can be found at https://www.ukad.org.uk/anti-doping-rules
3. UKAD is responsible for the implementation and management of the UK’s National Anti- Doping Policy and their mission is to protect the right of athletes to compete in clean sport. UKAD ensure sports bodies comply with the World Anti-Doping (WADA) Code by working with sports bodies to deliver education and information, carry out testing, undertake intelligence management and prosecute anti-doping rule violations.
4. England Hockey in collaboration with UKAD support all participants in understanding their responsibilities through the provision of Clean Sport education and information.
5. The UK Anti-Doping rules shall apply to and shall bind all Athletes, Athlete Support Personnel, and other Persons under the jurisdiction of England Hockey. Those to whom these Rules apply include:
   1. All Athletes, Coaches, Athlete Support Personnel and other Persons who participate in hockey activity under the jurisdiction of England Hockey;
   2. All Athletes, Coaches, Athlete Support Personnel and other Persons participating in such capacity in events, competitions and other activities organised, convened, authorised or recognised by England Hockey;
   3. All Coaches, Athlete Support Personnel and other Persons working with, treating or assisting an Athlete participating in a professional or sport capacity.
6. It is a UKAD requirement that any Athlete, Coach, Athlete Support Personnel or other Person who by virtue of a membership, contractual arrangement or otherwise, is subject to the jurisdiction of England Hockey for purposes of anti-doping, whether or not such person(s) is or are resident in the UK, for a minimum of 12 months.
7. Athletes, Coaches, Athlete Support Personnel, and other Persons must accept these rules as a condition of participation and shall be bound by them. It is the personal responsibility of each Athlete and any Athlete Support Personnel to acquaint themselves with the England Hockey Anti-Doping Policy and UKAD Anti-Doping Rules.
8. All athletes as set out in Paragraph 5 are subject to drug testing. For the purposes of the UK Anti-Doping Rules, consent of a parent or guardian to the testing of a minor is deemed to follow automatically from the fact that the minor has been permitted by their parent/guardian to participate in hockey. Any minors participating in hockey, therefore, may be subject to drug testing.
9. All Athletes, Athlete Support Personnel and other Persons must cooperate fully with any anti-doping investigations or proceedings, whether conducted by UKAD or any other competent body. Failure to do so without acceptable justification may be treated as misconduct under England Hockey’s Anti-Doping Policy.
10. In the event that a person who is subject to England Hockey’s jurisdiction commits an act of misconduct that relates to anti-doping but does not amount to a violation of the UK Anti- Doping Rules, England Hockey may commence disciplinary proceedings against that person through the England Hockey Disrepute process, as a breach of England Hockey’s Code of Ethics and Behaviour (“Respect”). This may result in sanctions.
11. Termination of membership for Clubs, Athletes, Athlete Support Personnel or other Persons from England Hockey will relinquish the binding of the Anti-Doping Rules outlined in this Policy.