Changes to Anti-Doping Policy

Water Polo Australia has updated the anti-doping policy that governs the sport following a review into integrity within Australian sport that saw the formation of Sport Integrity Australia (SIA).

The introduction of SIA sees the functions of the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA), the National Integrity in Sport Unit and the nationally focused integrity functions of Sport Australia including safeguarding sport, come under SIA’s remit.

With the new legislation (Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Amendment (Sport Integrity Australia) Act 2020) coming into effect from 10 August 2020, Water Polo Australia’s Anti-Doping Policy has been amended accordingly and brings our sport in line with the establishment and role of SIA.

The changes in Policy include:

• Replacing Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) with Sport Integrity Australia (SIA);

• Replacing the Court of Arbitration for Sport with the National Sports Tribunal (NST) as the first-instance hearing body for all athletes and the Appeals Division of the NST for appeals for ‘non-international level’ athletes.

• Amending the definition of ‘National Level Athlete’ to introduce the Lower-Level Athlete category to allow greater flexibility in dealing with and sanctioning athletes below International or National level; and

• Removal of the ADRVP. The previous Anti-Doping Rule Violation (ADRV) process was complex and included duplicate steps which could lead to delays in the final outcome. To streamline the process, the Anti-Doping Rule Violation Panel (ADRVP) has been removed, and the Sport Integrity Australia CEO now has the responsibility to make an assertion on whether a possible ADRV has occurred. Individuals still have the ability to seek judicial review of a decision of the Sport Integrity Australia CEO and to apply to have their matter heard by the NST or sport specific tribunal.

To view the updated policy - click here