AFL Victoria Goldfields regional general manager Rod Ward said he believed the number of footballers using illicit drugs was “a very small minority”, but that it could become cancerous within clubs.

This comes as the AFL announces a revamp of its illicit drugs policy after a sharp lift in the number of players testing positive to recreational drugs.

The AFL announced yesterday a record number of 26 positive tests for illicit drugs were recorded in 2012, with two of them concerning a player testing positive for a second time.

A parent of a junior footballer alerted The Courier to alleged drug use by senior players at a football club in the Ballarat region, while officials at other clubs have admitted to having to take action with players who were believed to be using drugs. 

Mr Ward acknowledged that football-netball clubs in the Ballarat region had approached him with regard to managing issues involving illicit drug use.

“The Australian Drug Foundation says, on average, 15 per cent of people over the age of 14 have used illicit drugs, so it would be naive to think people involved in football and netball, and, by extension, any community sport, have not used drugs,” Mr Ward said.

“It is our view there is no place for illicit or performance-enhancing drugs in sport or the wider community. 

“I have had club officials come to me to get help implementing training and education on drugs at their clubs, and that’s our focus.

“No one has been banned (in the AFL Victoria Goldfields region) to date.” 

MORE: Local clubs' codes of conduct and how they deal with drugs

The concerned parent agreed to speak out only under condition of anonymity and that the club implicated would not be named.

“My son plays junior footy for this particular club and informed me, after he had finished training one night, that he had heard from other kids and coaching staff at the club that the senior club had a massive drug problem last season,” the parent said. 

“It’s my understanding that the board and coaching staff were aware of the goings on during last season. I am absolutely disgusted at this and will be withdrawing my child from the club. 

“I feel that the rest of the community/club should be aware what our local footballers are getting involved with around the local clubs. And feel this is the best way to get the message out there.

“All sporting clubs at any level should be safe environments to have our children in.

“But I am unsure if they really are.” 

The Courier has spoken with players, coaches, and former and current club officials at nearly a dozen clubs. 

While all acknowledged a concern about the use of illicit drugs by players at their own and other clubs, none wished to speak on the record for fear of tarnishing their own club’s reputation.

Ecstasy pills are the most often mentioned illicit drug.

 One player said young footballers often don’t have a lot of money. A night drinking can cost up to $100 for a night, while ecstasy tablets can sell for $20 a pill.

Ballarat police were not aware of specific cases involving illicit drug use within community football clubs, Western Region Acting Superintendent Bruce Thomas said.

“Any illicit drug use is of concern to police. It is very difficult to gauge if it is a problem within sporting clubs. Sporting clubs are representative of the community and have age groups that are vulnerable to illicit drug use so it would be unwise to say that it is not occurring,” Superintendent Thomas said.

gavin.mcgrath@fairfaxmedia.com.au