The VAFA acknowledges its role in dealing with the issue of Drugs within Australian Football. It is not feasible for the VAFA to test its players however the VAFA strongly agrees that the competition should be played on the basis of athletic prowess and natural levels of fitness and development and not on any pharmacologically enhanced basis.
The VAFA believes that the only legitimate use of drugs in sport is under the supervision of a physician for a clinically justified purpose.
The VAFA prohibits the use of performance enhancing substances and adopts both the AFL Anti-Doping Code and the AFL Illicit Drugs Policy.
The VAFA will endeavour to;
(a) Increase education of the VAFA playing group generally in relation to the dangers of Illicit Drugs and protect players from the risk of acute or long term harm to their bodies; and
(b) Increase education of the public at large in relation to the dangers of illicit drugs and set a positive example for young athletes and others in the community.
(c) Support the drug testing and education initiatives of WADA, ASDA and other drug testing authorities.
The AFL’s Anti-Doping Code can be found by clicking here.
The AFL’s Illicit Drugs Policy can be found by clicking here.
15.1.1 - The League:
(a) Condemns the use of performance enhancing drugs and doping practices in sport.
(b) Believes that the use of performance enhancing drugs and doping practices is contrary to the ethics of sport and potentially harmful to the health of players.
(c) Believes that the only legitimate use of drugs in sport is under the supervision of a physician for a clinically justified purpose.
15.1.2 - The League aims to stop doping practices in sport by:
(a) Imposing effective sanctions on persons who commit doping Offences.
(b) Educating and informing persons about drugs in sport issues, and;
(c) Supporting the drug testing and education initiatives of ASDA and other drug testing authorities.