Have your say on the draft Integrity Code

Have Your Say

More fun when it's fair

He nui ake te ngahau mēnā e matatika ana

Play the game

Sport. It's more fun when it's fair.

That's why sports have rules. And whether you're into rugby or race walking, those rules apply to you.

Got Questions?

01

Will I be tested?

We typically test high-performance athletes. If you’re not a high-performance athlete, then it’s unlikely that we’ll test you.

But we can investigate you if you’re suspected of breaking the Rules. This includes buying (including online purchases), importing, using, possessing or trafficking banned substances. So be careful if you’re buying substances online – it’s not always easy to know if they’re banned in sport.

02

What can get me in trouble under the Rules?

There are 11 ways to break the rules. They include:

  • Buying banned substances (including buying online);

  • Possessing banned substances;

  • Using banned substances;

  • Trafficking banned substances.

Even attempting to do the things listed above can result in a ban from sport.

Read the Sports Anti-Doping Rules

03

What substances are banned in sport?

The list of everything that’s banned in sport is pretty long, and you don’t need to know them all. Common ones to avoid include:

  • Steroids (e.g. testosterone)

  • Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators or ‘SARMs’ (e.g. ligandrol)

  • Other anabolic agents (e.g. clenbuterol)

See more examples at These substances can get you sanctioned

04

Why can't I take banned substances if it's unrelated to sport?

Even if you’re not taking substances to cheat at sport, they’re still in your system while you play. And it’s no fun to lose a game or competition to someone you know has an unfair advantage. The Sports Anti-Doping Rules protect fair competition – and if you play sport, anti-doping rules apply to you.

Plus, some substances can seriously damage your health! Things like steroids and SARMs (Selective Androgen Modulator Receptors) can cause heart attacks, liver failure, stroke and more.

Don’t play with your health or reputation. Play the game!

05

What happens if I break an anti-doping rule?

Breaking an anti-doping rule can see you banned from ALL sport for four years. That can get pretty lonely if you enjoy having a kick-about with your local team on the weekend. Your name will be made public, which can damage your reputation. And if you’re banned because you’ve been taking substances like steroids or SARMs, there are some pretty gnarly health consequences to think about.

It’s just not worth it.

See the consequences of doping

06

I saw "legal alternatives" to steroids online. Are they banned?

There are plenty of products out there that claim to be legal alternatives to steroids, and plenty of illegal steroids that are marketed as legal. Our advice is to avoid all such substances. Good sleep, healthy nutrition, managing stress levels and exercising regularly all boost your natural testosterone – and with less cost and less risk to your health.

What breaks the Rules?

There are 11 ways to break the Sports Anti-Doping Rules. Can you guess what they are?

Read more