Anti Doping Rules

English Women’s Golf Association’s Adoption of Anti-Doping Rules

The English Women’s Golf Association's adoption of anti-doping rules in accordance with the mandatory provisions of the World Anti-Doping Code. The rules will apply to Women's Amateur Golf in England and have been adopted in order to preserve the integrity and values of fair play in golf.

A copy of the Rules is available for download below.

The EWGA has engaged extensively with UK Sport to reach this stage including taking legal advice. The purpose of this letter is to provide you with an outline of what the policy means.

It should first be understood that whilst an anti-doping policy is important for all sports, amateur golf is understandably not a sport warranting public interest testing by UK Sport. Consequently, for very sensible practical and cost reasons the EWGA is not required to have a “National Drug Testing Pool”, but this policy clearly identifies which players and which events may be subject to drug testing.

The Rules will apply specifically to those members of the EWGA as identified in Article 1.2 of the document under the definition of “player” and to the events listed therein.

It is however impracticable to create exemptions for the use or possession of any substances other than those that are recognised within the rules as being acceptable for necessary therapeutic use. To this extent, the Rules apply to all members and County and Club competitions. This reflects the strong stance and commitment by the English Women’s Golf Association on the issue of doping within our sport and deliberately applies to all participants whatever their age or level.

However, the likelihood of minor, local events ever becoming the subject of public interest testing is minimal, to the extent that it is unlikely to ever arise, although of course cannot be completely excluded.

The policy demonstrates EWGA's commitment to meet its obligations under the World Anti-Doping Code and to create a drug free sport but without being an onerous obligation on the many thousands of regular golfers whose only interest is in the enjoyment of the game at their leisure.

For more information contact:

EWGA Performance Director

Mrs Linda Bayman

Tel: 01304 612770

Email: linda.bayman@englishwomensgolf.org

EWGA Tournament Assistant

Mr Stuart Fowler

Tel: 0121 452 5977

Email: stuart@englishwomensgolf.org

Useful website:

"100% ME is about knowing you don't need to use prohibited substances or methods to succeed in sport."

www.100percentme.co.uk

www.globaldro.com