Dope testing to start in Irish schools rugby

Slideshowbob

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/1104/1224307040816.html

Is this necessary? Any opinions?

Dwaegon

They do it in other sports with athletes of that age, so I think it should be done!

Plus, people often get college scholarships based on their rugby playing. If they are using performance-enhancing drugs it gives them an unfair advantage over players that don't use them.

afatbollix

If they get money from the sports council they have to introduce drug testing

We have it in motorsport as we have a prize that is funded by them.

Make sure you tell your doctor and pharmacy as a lot of every day stuff is on the banned list.

Fight_Night

Probably not necessary, really doubt that there are many athletes using anything illegal, but nonetheless don't have a problem with it. Wonder is it just steroids they ban or do they ban HGH too?

darragh_haven

As afatbollix said, a lot of what could be considered normal stuff is on the banned list. People with ailment like hayfever and asthma need to be careful of what they take.
And thinking it wont really affect schools rugby..... there are going to be a fair few top schools rugby jocks sh**ting bricks, its a lot more commom that you'd think.

Fight_Night

darragh_haven wrote: »

As afatbollix said, a lot of what could be considered normal stuff is on the banned list. People with ailment like hayfever and asthma need to be careful of what they take.
And thinking it wont really affect schools rugby..... there are going to be a fair few top schools rugby jocks sh**ting bricks, its a lot more commom that you'd think.

Do you know where can I find the banned list?

phog

Slideshowbob wrote: »

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/frontpage/2011/1104/1224307040816.html

Is this necessary? Any opinions?

Yes, it's necessary and yes it's about time, afaik athletes of similar age are tested so why not rugby player.

I suppose the problem I have is the innocent mistake like Frankie a few years ago and his medicne for his asthma, would hate to see a young player losing out over a misuse of a normal drug but that is on the banned list.

afatbollix

http://www.irishsportscouncil.ie/Anti-Doping/Medicines_TUEs/Prohibited_List/

d-gal

100% agree, lads younger and younger are looking for performance enhancing drugs. There are several pre workout supplements that have banned ingredients in them.
Unfortunately steroids are becoming more and more common for younger athletes. It's rampant in South Africa and Wales especially in the gym society so obviously leaks into rugby players. Not accusing any player but it has been obvious with a few players

good. Would hope its completely unneccesary, and from my own anecdotal experiences it is, but early prevention is the best method for this kind of crap.

tolosenc

I've been suspicious of the beard growing prowess of some 15 year old rugby players in the past, hopefully this'll put that to rest.

CatFromHue

Sure there is plenty of dopes in schools rugby!

:pac:

EKClarke

There are plenty of lads doing it. I knew a lad who had a beard at 13, was incredibly aggressive and ended up with osteoporosis, I think, in his knees. I thought they already had doping tests. When I was playing that's what the coaches told us. Of course we were bricking it but for different reasons.

07438991

Fight_Night wrote: »

Do you know where can I find the banned list?

For all your anti-doping requirements look at the 'keep rugby clean' website. the IRB has created this website so as to ensure player education around the world. The prohibited list is updated every year & most name are scientific so best to ask your team doctor/ personal GP before taking anything if you are an elite athlete.

You can also look at WADA's website - World Anti-Doping Agency and the ISC's website - Irish Sports Council.

07438991

I believe that something is necessary to protect the welfare of young players but to what degree I don't know? Funding is a major issue and so is dealing with under 18s. In addition, there are numerous school leagues and club divisions; it would be unjust to prioritise on the best leagues/divisions!

National Anti-Doping Organisations prefer to use out-of-competition testing on athletes; therefore, we can't request students to fill out player whereabouts forms for the next 3 months of their life!

Maybe player education is the best place to start so as to inform teenagers of the side effects and potential detrimental effects substances can have on their body due to excessive and prolonged use! Even, protein shakes can have cross-contamination; just like at what happened to South Africa for example!

07438991

PS - I really love this area and have studied the sports industry for years in college and worked for international sports organisations so I have some credibility behind what I am saying...

RMD

The problem this is going to create is many products bought over the counter in a pharmacy / supplement store are on the WADA banned list. Many PWO's / Nasal decongestants contain 1,3-DMAA which is what the 2 South African players were caught in their system last Autumn, I've used the PWO's containing it, it will make no major difference to a players performance, it's suitable in a gym lifting weights, not in a heavy cardiovascular situation.

Education is key here, as we'll hear plenty of cases of players being banned in schools rugby for something they bought legally over the counter and wouldn't give a second thought too.

Brendan97

Damn! now i have to stop!

afatbollix

RMD wrote: »

The problem this is going to create is many products bought over the counter in a pharmacy / supplement store are on the WADA banned list. Many PWO's / Nasal decongestants contain 1,3-DMAA which is what the 2 South African players were caught in their system last Autumn, I've used the PWO's containing it, it will make no major difference to a players performance, it's suitable in a gym lifting weights, not in a heavy cardiovascular situation.

Education is key here, as we'll hear plenty of cases of players being banned in schools rugby for something they bought legally over the counter and wouldn't give a second thought too.

9 times out of 10 there is a substitute that is not on the banned list. Just make sure you tell your doctor/ pharmacist.

RMD

RMD wrote: »

The problem this is going to create is many products bought over the counter in a pharmacy / supplement store are on the WADA banned list. Many PWO's / Nasal decongestants contain 1,3-DMAA which is what the 2 South African players were caught in their system last Autumn, I've used the PWO's containing it, it will make no major difference to a players performance, it's suitable in a gym lifting weights, not in a heavy cardiovascular situation.

Education is key here, as we'll hear plenty of cases of players being banned in schools rugby for something they bought legally over the counter and wouldn't give a second thought too.

nothing wrong with educating young athletes. You'll find that if something like the above does happen, it'll only ever happen once. The guys should be getting proper nutritional education as part of their training, so another module/class based on what medicines they can and can't take should be no hassle to most if not all schools