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Doping is the process in which an athlete takes prohibited drugs or supplements in order to enhance performance. HKRU has a zero-tolerance policy to doping and works in conjunction with World Rugby and the World Anti-Doping Authority (WADA) to ensure Rugby Union remains a clean sport.
 | WADA is an international independent agency and the world authority on anti-doping measures, anti-doping research and anti-doping education. It was formed in 1999 to ensure athletes both Nationally and Internationally were dealt with in a consistent manner. |
| HK National 7s players | HK National Representative players | Club players/ Coach/ Manager / Administrator | ||
| 1. WADA’s online resource: Athlete Learning Program about Health and Anti-Doping | ||||
 | 1. Go to the WADA education platform https://adel.wada-ama.org and register for a free account 2. Scroll down the course list until you find the ALPHA course 3. Complete the course and quiz 4. Download the certificate of completion 5. Send certificate to [email protected] | Compulsory | Compulsory | Recommended |
| 2. World Rugby’s online resource: Keep Rugby Clean E-Learning | ||||
 | 1. Go to the keep rugby clean platform https://keeprugbyclean.worldru... and register for a free account 2. Click the E-Learning tab and complete the module and associated quiz questions 3. Download the certificate of completion 4. Send certificate to [email protected] | Compulsory | Compulsory | Recommended |
| 3. Athlete Whereabouts | ||||
Players in the 'Elite Testing Pool' may be tested out-of-competition with no advance warning. These players must keep information on their whereabouts up to date on an online system (ADAMS). All National 7s players - Read more | Compulsory | Not required | Not required | |
Before taking any medications (prescribed or over-the-counter), National players must check if the medications is prohibited by WADA.
In Hong Kong, use HK Anti-Doping Committee's DruginSport site to check any medication you want to take, before you take it
If in the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, Japan, Switzerland or New Zealand, you can check licensed medication at Global DRO
If you cannot find the medication you need to take, please contact a representative from the HK Anti-Doping Committee
If you are a National player with a medical condition and need to take a prescribed medication that is on WADA's Prohibited List, you must apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption. Specific criteria exist.
TUE Application Forms and requirements can be found here
Further information from WADA can be found here
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is a common practice in Hong Kong, often using prescribed traditional herbs or remedies. Unfortunately, there are no organizations that provide independent testing of TCM for Anti-Doping purposes.
Animal offal can be another source of banned substances. Traces of pharmaceutical products such as Clenbuterol (a banned substance) have been found in pork and pig offal in Hong Kong. Eating offal could result in a buildup in your own body, resulting in a positive doping test.
Therefore, athletes should avoid both TCM and offal. More information
Supplements are a potential source of prohibited substances as,
Sports supplements are tested by independent organisations such as Informed Sport, NSF International, and Informed Choice to see if they contain banned substances.
Athletes should search the testing organisations websites to check the status of the supplement, and look for these logos before taking any supplements.
Note that not all supplements achieve what their marketing material claims, and athletes should stay informed of the effectiveness of what they are taking. More information is available here and here.
