AFL Victoria has a formal stance against illicit drugs but that hasn’t stopped individual clubs taking a stronger position on the issue.
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A statement from AFL Victoria Country yesterday reaffirmed its position of not condoning the presence or use of illicit drugs or performance enhancing substances at any level of Australian football.
“WorkSafe AFL Victoria Country (formerly the VCFL) has provided education programs on the risks associated with performance enhancing and illicit substances to players since 2007, developed in conjunction with members of Victoria Police’s then Purana Task Force,” the statement said.
“We believe that all leagues and clubs genuinely strive to provide the right environment for everyone involved in their community including their players and volunteers, with many developing their own codes of conduct to address community-wide issues that may impact on them.
“Players within community level competitions can be tested on match-day by ASADA under the AFL’s Anti-Doping Code that is applicable to community football Leagues (metro & country) through the Laws of Australian Football (Clause 21).”
The Courier spoke with a number of clubs from the Ballarat and Central Highlands football leagues about their own policies.
Ballarat Football Club president Shane Manley said the Swans used the VCFL’s standard code of conduct but also ran a program that included annual drug education sessions for senior netballers and footballers.
Redan and Lake Wendouree have their own codes of conduct for football and netball that addresses illicit drugs, including the possibility of counselling as well as potential sanctions.
Another club president, who did not wish to be identified, said his club’s official code of conduct stated any player or official who was found to have used illicit or illegal drugs while representing the club, either in a playing or social capacity, would be instantly dismissed.
Sunbury’s code of conduct does not specifically address illicit drugs, although club president Phil Lithgow said a strong culture within the playing group tended to sort problems out.
“Controlling what players do away from the club is impossible,” Mr Lithgow said.
“But if players muck-up away from the club we see it can reflect on the club, and other players see that too.”
Central Highlands Football League powerhouse Hepburn has a code of conduct which specifically mentions illicit drugs.
“We do not tolerate illicit drugs,” Hepburn president Jason Olver said.
Other clubs contacted said they did not have a formal code of conduct but would come down hard on players who were found to have used illicit drugs.
gavin.mcgrath@fairfaxmedia.com.au
