The ‘Big Four’ Sign Up to National Anti-Doping Policy

UK Sport, the National Anti-Doping Organisation for the UK, has today announced that the Football Association (FA), England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) have all signed the National Governing Body (NGB) Agreement tying them up to the UK National Anti-Doping Policy. This means that all of the ‘Big Four’ governing bodies are committed to compliance with the World Anti-Doping Code.

UK Sport demonstrated its buy-in to the Code through the launch of the UK National Anti-Doping Policy document in May 2005. For governing bodies to confirm their commitment to the fundamental principles of the Policy they are required to sign the NGB Agreement and produce Code compliant regulations.

The Agreement includes a clause pertaining to potential funding sanctions if it becomes evident that the governing body is not adhering to the standards set out in the Code and as reflected in their anti-doping rules. The clause is supported by the four home country sports councils, thereby impacting on all governing bodies with a drug testing programme who receive public funding.

With international federations also going though a signing up process with the World Anti-Doping Agency, there was concern amongst some UK governing bodies that signing the NGB Agreement might bring them into conflict with their international federation. However, these issues have now been resolved and John Scott, Director of Drug-Free Sport at UK Sport, expressed his pleasure that the ‘Big Four’ have signed the Agreement:

“There has been a long period of discussion to get us to this stage, but at no point was the commitment to anti-doping by these four governing bodies in doubt,” he said. “The process we have been through has been to assure the FA, ECB, LTA and RFU that signing the NGB Agreement is in their best interests and those of their athletes and I am delighted we have reached that point.

“The advent of the World Anti-Doping Code and the subsequent development of the UK National Anti-Doping Policy marked the start of a new era in the battle against doping in sport, with one unified set of rules and regulations ensuring fairness and consistency for all athletes regardless of their sport. These four key governing bodies signing the NGB Agreement is an important landmark in the ongoing roll-out of the Policy and we will continue apace in getting all the governing bodies we work with on board.”

All four governing bodies also signified their satisfaction at signing the Agreement and vowed to continue developing their anti-doping programmes in partnership with UK Sport.

FA Chief Executive Brian Barwick said: "The FA's Doping Control Programme is the biggest in British sport, with 1,600 tests per season complemented by comprehensive drug and alcohol education and awareness activities. Our partnership with UK Sport and signing of the UK Anti-Doping Policy underlines our shared commitment to tackling doping in the game."

David Collier, ECB Chief Executive, said: “The ECB has worked with UK Sport over a number of years and has been at the forefront of ensuring cricket is a drug-free sport. We are delighted there is now a global code for cricket which all ICC nations have signed up to.”

Francis Baron, RFU Chief Executive, said: “The RFU has extensive drug testing and education programmes which it will continue to develop because the Union takes the issue of anti-doping very seriously. The agreement demonstrates our commitment to achieving the highest possible standards in anti-doping policies and procedures to ensure that rugby is drug free at every level.”

Roger Draper, Chief Executive of the LTA said: “The LTA is delighted to sign up to this multi-sport approach to anti-doping. We are committed to utilising testing and education to ensure that we leave no stone unturned around doping in British sport.”

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