DIEHARD
22-02-06, 07:11 AM
Broncos' rigid drug policy
The Brisbane Broncos have used the NRL's adoption of the World Anti-Doping Agency's stringent guidelines as a basis for a new drugs policy which has players on notice "24-seven".
Broncos managing director Bruno Cullen said the club had employed an independent agent to carry out random tests on players at any time, either at training or in their homes.
Cullen said the players had signed agreements permitting tests at the club's request on top of testing already done by the Australian Sports Drug Agency, although the results of the club's testing remain confidential.
"We just figured with the NRL adopting the WADA guidelines, that we would follow suit and the players were more than happy to comply," Cullen said.
"We are a family club and we are very conscious of our image and the whole idea of drugs is against everything we stand for.
"So from that point of view it shows we are fair dinkum about dealing with any potential problems and the players' response shows they are too."
The drug testing is in addition to the Broncos' strict new alcohol policy, which has included the implementation of Sunday training sessions to minimise weekends of binge drinking.
While the new rules may appear very stringent, Cullen said the club had structures in place to deal with breaches, particularly when dealing with alcohol and recreational drugs, to help players overcome their problems rather than just punish them.
"We don't endorse outing and humiliating players who have made a mistake or who may have done something silly at a low point in their lives," Cullen said.
"For any initial positive result for recreational drugs, players will be fined and forced to meet with the club but they will also be given counselling.
"If they are caught again a much more significant fine and an intensive rehabilitation course will be undertaken.
"However, it is three strikes and you are out. If players test positive for a third time they are out of here."
State of Origin representative Casey McGuire said the players were comfortable with the new procedures, suggesting the new rules were as much a public relations exercise as anything else.
On the recruiting front, Cullen said the Broncos were hopeful of luring star halfback Scott Prince back to Red Hill, but he admitted the terms of the "tender" process would make the move extremely difficult.
Under an agreement with the Wests Tigers, Prince has been able to negotiate with the three Queensland clubs - North Queensland, Brisbane and the Gold Coast - with formal offers to be lodged by February 28.
As reported in The Australian yesterday, the Cowboys will not join the process, leaving Brisbane, where Prince spent three injury-plagued seasons, and the Gold Coast as the remaining options for the homesick star.
Broncos coach Wayne Bennett will speak to Prince tomorrow, but Cullen said the time frame made negotiating "almost impossible".
Cullen suggested Prince may have to wait until after June 30, when players coming off-contract go on to the open market, if he wants to return.
The Australian
The Brisbane Broncos have used the NRL's adoption of the World Anti-Doping Agency's stringent guidelines as a basis for a new drugs policy which has players on notice "24-seven".
Broncos managing director Bruno Cullen said the club had employed an independent agent to carry out random tests on players at any time, either at training or in their homes.
Cullen said the players had signed agreements permitting tests at the club's request on top of testing already done by the Australian Sports Drug Agency, although the results of the club's testing remain confidential.
"We just figured with the NRL adopting the WADA guidelines, that we would follow suit and the players were more than happy to comply," Cullen said.
"We are a family club and we are very conscious of our image and the whole idea of drugs is against everything we stand for.
"So from that point of view it shows we are fair dinkum about dealing with any potential problems and the players' response shows they are too."
The drug testing is in addition to the Broncos' strict new alcohol policy, which has included the implementation of Sunday training sessions to minimise weekends of binge drinking.
While the new rules may appear very stringent, Cullen said the club had structures in place to deal with breaches, particularly when dealing with alcohol and recreational drugs, to help players overcome their problems rather than just punish them.
"We don't endorse outing and humiliating players who have made a mistake or who may have done something silly at a low point in their lives," Cullen said.
"For any initial positive result for recreational drugs, players will be fined and forced to meet with the club but they will also be given counselling.
"If they are caught again a much more significant fine and an intensive rehabilitation course will be undertaken.
"However, it is three strikes and you are out. If players test positive for a third time they are out of here."
State of Origin representative Casey McGuire said the players were comfortable with the new procedures, suggesting the new rules were as much a public relations exercise as anything else.
On the recruiting front, Cullen said the Broncos were hopeful of luring star halfback Scott Prince back to Red Hill, but he admitted the terms of the "tender" process would make the move extremely difficult.
Under an agreement with the Wests Tigers, Prince has been able to negotiate with the three Queensland clubs - North Queensland, Brisbane and the Gold Coast - with formal offers to be lodged by February 28.
As reported in The Australian yesterday, the Cowboys will not join the process, leaving Brisbane, where Prince spent three injury-plagued seasons, and the Gold Coast as the remaining options for the homesick star.
Broncos coach Wayne Bennett will speak to Prince tomorrow, but Cullen said the time frame made negotiating "almost impossible".
Cullen suggested Prince may have to wait until after June 30, when players coming off-contract go on to the open market, if he wants to return.
The Australian