Anti-Doping Policy

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Created on Sunday, 29 March 2015 18:46
Last Updated on Saturday, 26 March 2022 16:53

Last reviewed on 25 March 2022

Everybody has the right to compete in sport knowing that they and their competitors are clean. The use of performance-enhancing drugs and doping activity damages sport and undermines integrity.

The Scottish Croquet Association believes in clean croquet and works in partnership with UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) and our International Federation to ensure that the integrity of croquet is protected.

It is important you are clued up on the anti-doping rules so that you can enjoy and achieve success at croquet.

Anti-Doping Rules

The Scottish Croquet Association (SCA) has in place a set of anti-doping rules that all croquet players and Croquet player support personnel must abide by. The anti-doping rules for the SCA are consistent with the World Anti-Doping Code (the Code), the core document that harmonises anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within sport globally.

The anti-doping rules of the SCA are the rules published by UK Anti-Doping (or its successor), as amended from time to time.

If you are a member of the SCA then the anti-doping rules apply to you, regardless of what level you participate at*. You can find the UK Anti-Doping Rules here.

* The SCA has a mechanism in place through which a croquet player can confirm their retirement from competition. Resignation from the SCA or written notification to SCA Officers is deemed as retirement.

2021 World Anti-Doping Code

From 1 January 2021, a new version of the Code is in effect and it’s important that all croquet players and croquet player support personnel are aware of how this impacts them.

For more information on the changes within the 2021 Code, visit UKAD’s website here.

Under the 2021 Code, a croquet player may be classified as being "International-Level", "National-Level" or a "Recreational Athlete" based on their competition level. Further information on these different categories is available on the UKAD website.

Anti-Doping Rule Variations

Breaking the anti-doping rules can result in a ban from all sport. The Code outlines the Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs). Croquet players and croquet support personnel need to make sure they are fully aware of these violations, and the consequences of breaking them. For more information and what this means for those individuals, click here.

For information on individuals serving a ban from sport, visit UKAD’s sanction page on their website.

Key advice

You are responsible for anything found in your system, regardless of how it got there or whether there is any intention to cheat. All croquet players and croquet support personnel should make themselves aware of the risks, so they don’t receive an unintentional ban from sport. Useful information can be found on the UKAD website.

The Prohibited List

All prohibited substances and methods in Code-compliant sports are outlined in the Prohibited List. The Prohibited List is managed and coordinated by WADA, found on the WADA website here. The List is updated each year, coming into effect on 1st January. It is possible for WADA to make changes to the List more than once a year, but they must communicate such changes three months before they come into effect.  More information can be found on UKAD’s website here.

Checking Medications

Before taking any medication (whether from a doctor or purchased over the counter), croquet players must check to make sure it doesn’t contain any prohibited substances. Medications (ingredients or brand name) can be checked online at Global DRO. It is important to note that medications bought in one country may contain different ingredients to the same branded medication in another country. For more information on checking medications, visit UKAD’s website here.

Taking Nutritional Supplements

UKAD always advises a food first approach to nutrition, as there are no guarantees that any supplement product is free from prohibited substances. Croquet players can support their training and progress towards their targets by eating and enjoying nutritious food. With a bit of planning, it is possible to eat a tasty, delicious and healthy diet made up of a variety of food types at the right time, and in the right quantities.

Croquet players should assess the need, the risks and the consequences before deciding to take a supplement, and if they need to use one, visit the Informed Sport website to check whether supplements have been batch-tested. More advice on managing supplement risks can be found on UKAD’s Supplement Hub here.

Applying for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)

If a croquet player with a legitimate medical condition needs to use a prohibited substance or method, they will need to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). This is only accepted if there are no other suitable permitted medications or treatments that can be used, and there is a strict, detailed process to determine this. Croquet players can find out more information about the TUE process on the UKAD website here and use the TUE Wizard to find out whether they need to apply for a TUE and who to submit their application to.

What happens in a test?

Croquet players should feel prepared and know their rights and responsibilities when they are notified to be tested by a Chaperone or Doping Control Officer.

Croquet players can find out more in the Introduction to Testing section of UKAD’s website.

100% me – Supporting croquet players to be clean

100% me is UKAD’s values-based education and information programme, helping croquet players meet their anti-doping responsibilities throughout their sporting journey. We want all croquet players to be clean, stay clean and believe all others are clean.

For more information on what this means, visit UKAD’s website here. UKAD’s 100% me Clean Sport App can also be downloaded from iTunes, Google Play or Windows Live Store, for essential anti-doping information.

Protect Your Sport

Protecting clean sport depends on everyone playing their part whether on centre stage or behind the scenes. Speak out if you feel there’s something wrong - no matter how small. UKAD guarantee that your identity will always be kept 100% confidential.

There are different ways to speak out:

  • Email - When you feel something’s wrong, send an email. UKAD guarantee that your name and email address will be kept confidential. Email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
  • Online Form - Tell us what you know via our online form on protectyoursport.co.uk. You will remain anonymous as standard, but if you choose to share your details confidentially it could help us catch those in sport who seek to cheat
  • 24/7 Hotline - Call on 08000 32 23 32. We are here to listen. If you prefer to remain 100% anonymous you can. Or if you share your details, they will be kept confidential, and may help keep sport clean

Find out the more about speaking out and Protect Your Sport here.

For further information

Please do not hesitate to ask questions about the anti-doping rules. As well as asking the Scottish Croquet Association and croquet player support personnel, croquet players may also contact UKAD directly, who will be able to answer any questions and provide guidance. They can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or +44 (0) 207 842 3450.

The latest SCA Anti-Doping annual report can be found here.