AFL Drug Code Deserves Respect

30 Jun 2005 - Jason Murnane

The AFLPA also suggested that it was inappropriate for the Federal Government to withhold funds allocated to grass roots sporting programs on the basis of rules which are applicable to only the elite professional competition.

According to AFLPA Chief Executive Officer Brendon Gale, the AFL is not soft on drugs, rather, it has an approach to the issue which is regarded by many as world class. 

"The AFL has had an extremely vigilant anti-doping policy for many years and has led the way in Australian sport in terms of conducting random drug testing of elite athletes and tackling use of performance enhancing and illicit drugs on a year-round basis," said Gale.

"Furthermore, the AFL's approach to anti-doping has involved sports medical professionals renowned throughout the world as pioneers and experts in the fight against drugs in sport applying their knowledge and experience to the specific context of the professional AFL competition."

According to Gale, the AFL should be congratulated for developing an anti-doping regime which is broad enough to be consistent with the majority of principles espoused in the WADA Code but also prudent enough to identify limited principles of difference where its own policy must prevail. 

"Drugs in sport and society are complex problems. There should be an increased understanding of the diverse nature of sport and the benefits of consultation between all stakeholders in sport to achieve an effective anti-doping regime."

Gale emphasized that by withdrawing funding to the AFL the Federal Government would put at risk a range of programs which achieve valuable social outcomes, and to do so would be a failure to recognise that the AFL industry has been courageous enough to tackle a range of social issues in the community.

"For the AFL industry to set its own agenda on drugs is not to be soft on drugs.  Rather it represents a considered and perhaps more enduring commitment to the issue which reflects the principles of justice, fair-play and sportsmanship which underpin the entire anti-doping campaign."

The AFLPA will not make any further comment on this issue at this stage.