DFSNZ Courses

DFSNZ e-learning courses offer athletes, support personnel and anyone with an interest in sport an easy and convenient way to learn about clean sport.

A range of modules offer information about anti-doping rules, medications, supplements, the doping control process and reporting doping. You can access the courses for free from anywhere in the world, and there is something suitable for you no matter your current level of knowledge or the level at which you play sport.

If you’re not sure where to start, we recommend Clean Sport 101 – it’s a great introduction to key clean sport topics and perfect for beginners.

Medications

Even common medications can contain ingredients that are banned in sport.

As an athlete, you train hard. Sometimes you may get injured or sick, or you may need to take regular medication for an ongoing condition such as asthma or diabetes. Whatever the situation, it's important to be aware of what you're taking. As an athlete, you're 100% responsible for anything found in your sample. Accidentally taking a medication that's banned in sport could lead to a sanction.

Check medications on Global DRO 

Update your whereabouts

The Athlete Whereabouts Programme is about protecting every athlete’s right to clean sport through out-of-competition testing that can take place without notice at any time. No-notice testing is a powerful way of deterring and detecting doping in sport. 

If you’ve been assigned to a testing pool by us (DFSNZ) or your International Federation then you are required to provide and maintain detailed information about where you are, whether you’re on holiday, training or travelling.

Providing accurate and up-to-date information about your Whereabouts helps to protect the integrity of your sport; multiple failures to comply with Whereabouts requirements can lead to an anti-doping rule violation and a ban from sport.

Update your Whereabouts information online via the Anti-Doping Administration and Management System (ADAMS). Once you're logged in and have submitted your Whereabouts online, you can download the Athlete Central app and make changes to your Whereabouts on-the-go. 


Supplements

Supplement products include (but aren’t limited to) pre-workouts, fat burners, branch chain amino acids (BCAAs), energy or rehydration drinks, vitamins and protein bars or powders. Pharmacy products (e.g. pain relief), herbal remedies (e.g. natural immune support) and some cosmetic/personal care products (e.g. eyelash serum) also carry a level of risk.

DFSNZ don’t approve any supplements, or their use, because of this risk. Supplements can contain substances that are banned in sport. 

They’re produced in factories, not medical laboratories, which increases the risk of cross-contamination. Inaccurate labelling (deliberate or accidental) also makes it difficult to know what’s really in supplement products. Even words like ‘natural’ and ‘herbal’ don’t necessarily mean a product is safe. Some natural substances are banned in sport, and contamination remains a risk. 


Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE)

There is a process that allows you to take a medication containing a banned substance if you need to for medical reasons. It's called a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE).

You may need to apply for a TUE if you get sick or injured and require medication, or if you have an ongoing medical condition that requires treatment, such as diabetes or asthma.

Getting a TUE may protect you from a sanction if a banned substance is found in your sample. An TUE is only granted if you will gain no unfair advantage by using the banned substance or method. It’s also important that your wellbeing is not put at further risk by using the medication.

In advance vs retroactive

Some athletes must apply for a TUE in advance (i.e. before using any banned medications or methods). Others may only apply retroactively (i.e. after a positive test).

Suspect something? Speak Out!

If you see, hear about or suspect doping, contact us in confidence to share your concerns. Speaking out protects your sport for all athletes who train hard and fair.

You don’t need the full story. If you think it’s suspicious, we’d like to hear about it.

Even if it seems minor, please get in touch. We use every bit of information we receive.

It doesn't matter when, who or where. You can report something from the past, something happening now, or something someone intends to do in the future. It can be about athletes, coaches, team doctors, physios or, in some cases, parents of athletes. It can be something happening at home in NZ or overseas.