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The event was held at The Academy of Sport offices in Merton Road Auckland and was supported by SPARC and Drug Free Sport NZ. The evening was attended by various NSO representatives and members of ANZSLA also attended.
Andrew Fieldsend, Policy Advisor with SPARC provided an overview of the development of the new act and rules. Fieldsend highlighted the strategy behind the development of the rules was to reduce paperwork for NSO's and to standardise one set of WADA code compliant rules for all sports in New Zealand. He also emphasised that the the rules are not mandatory, but the benefits of adopting them should be carefully considered against the challenge to constantly maintain a separate set of rules. Graeme Steel, Executive Director of Drug Free Sport NZ, then explained the implications of the new act for the activities of the agency. There are little changes in the outward activities around drug testing for the athlete, apart from blood testing being introduced in few situations. There are significant changes in the investigative powers now available to the agency. This will allow further fact gathering to take place when there may be evidence of possession, doping activities or trafficking. Maria Clarke and Paul David then rounded of the evening by explaining the benefits of adopting the rules and considerations based around the application and communication of the rules to athletes and support staff. For a copy of the 2007 Anti-doping Act- click here. For a copy of the Sports Anti_Doping Rules 2007 - click here. |
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