Overview:

Anti-doping – rugby league player tested positive to D-Methamphetamine and D-Amphetamine – admitted violation which he stated was result of recreational drug use – athlete made submissions seeking modification of normal sanction in light of his personal circumstances and submissions concerning perceived need for more drug education in his area – while the Tribunal was sympathetic to these submissions, it had to decide the case on the basis of the anti-doping rules and had no discretion in this case to impose anything but a 2 year suspension – Tribunal suggested to athlete that there may be an opportunity for him to take an active role in anti-doping education programmes, spread the message to others and achieve a positive result out of an otherwise bad experience – 2 years’ ineligibility imposed from date of provisional suspension.