Anti-Doping Overview

Overview 

On 6 December 2019, International Rugby League (IRL) appointed Clean Game as its independent anti-doping partner.

Clean Game is a non-governmental organisation based in Serbia and operated by the officials responsible for the national anti-doping systems in several countries.

IRL undertook a rigorous process that included the consideration of 11 tenders from expert organisations from around the world.

Clean Game is responsible for all aspects of IRL’s anti-doping function, including education, risk assessment, test planning and compliance with WADA’s Anti-Doping Code, as well as member relations.

The IRL is committed to fair play, a sport free of doping and the principles of the World Anti-Doping Code. This includes the mandatory articles of the Code and all relevant International Standards. 

As a consequence, IRL officials, representatives, member associations and players in IRL-organised or approved events are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that is appropriate for an international federation of sport and in accordance with Anti-Doping rules. Failure to observe the anti-doping rules shall result in a disciplinary procedure and sanctions.

The aims of the IRL’s Anti-Doping rules are to:

• Promote drug-free competitions in IRL competitions.
• Develop fair and consistent anti-doping procedures and regulations.
• Assist Member Associations in meeting their obligations to their national sports authorities and comply with relevant national legislation (such as in the field of contracts, human rights, and data protection).

IRL ANTI-DOPING

The IRL Anti-Doping framework assists member associations to implement the Code and the Anti-Doping rules. It adopts and implements the World Anti-Doping (WADA) Programme in its entirety and is responsible for ensuring that all its member associations and players respect and comply with the Code, all relevant International Standards and all the principles inherent to the Code.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and maintain IRL doping control program including in and out of competition testing, result based testing, random testing and targeted testing
• Establish and maintain the Registered Testing Pool (RTP), identifying those who need provide their whereabouts
• Development and maintenance of IRL Anti-Doping Rules and ensure compliance with the WADA code
• Develop IRL anti-doping education and information programme for all stakeholders (Coordinate education with Member Association and NADOs - National Anti-Doping Organisations)
• Focus education for Members (with recognition of NADO)
• Member education and assist in implementation of IRL rules
• Producing an annual report on IRL Anti-Doping activities
• WADA and NADO communication