1. Policy Statement

The English Disc Golf Association (EDGA) is firmly committed to clean sport, fair play, and protecting the health and integrity of all athletes, participants, and officials involved in disc golf across England.

Doping is fundamentally contrary to the spirit of sport. It undermines fair competition, damages athletic integrity, and poses severe risks to participant physical and psychological health. EDGA operates a policy of zero tolerance towards doping and anti-doping rule violations.

EDGA unequivocally adopts the UK Anti-Doping Rules as issued and amended from time to time by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD), the National Anti-Doping Organisation for the United Kingdom.

2. Objectives

The primary objectives of this policy are to:

1. Uphold the integrity of disc golf by ensuring competition is conducted fairly, equitably, and without the use of prohibited performance-enhancing substances or methods;
2. Protect the health, wellbeing, and rights of all participants;
3. Promote an ethical sporting culture through clear education, awareness, and transparent rules;
4. Establish clear reporting and disciplinary mechanisms for any suspected doping violations; and
5. Ensure full alignment with UKAD regulations, World Anti-Doping Code principles, and Sport England governance standards.

3. Scope of Policy

This policy applies to:

• All registered members of EDGA (including Full, Premium Full, and Associate members);
• All players, caddies, tournament directors, officials, and volunteers participating in or delivering EDGA-sanctioned tournaments, leagues, and events;
• All athletes selected to represent England or Great Britain in domestic, European, or international disc golf competitions; and
• All coaches, athlete support personnel, club officers, and administrators affiliated with EDGA.

By participating in EDGA activities, registering for membership, or entering sanctioned events, individuals agree to be bound by this policy and the UK Anti-Doping Rules.

4. Key Definitions and Anti-Doping Rule Violations

EDGA adopts the definitions and anti-doping rule violations established under the World Anti-Doping Code and UK Anti-Doping Rules.

Anti-doping rule violations include, but are not limited to:

• Presence: The presence of a prohibited substance, its metabolites, or markers in an athlete’s biological sample;
• Use or Attempted Use: The use or attempted use of a prohibited substance or prohibited method;
• Refusal or Failure: Evading, refusing, or failing to submit to sample collection without compelling justification;
• Whereabouts Failures: Violations regarding required athlete whereabouts information where applicable;
• Tampering: Tampering or attempted tampering with any part of doping control;
• Possession: Unlawful possession of prohibited substances or methods;
• Trafficking or Administration: Trafficking, attempting to traffic, administering, or attempting to administer prohibited substances to any athlete;
• Complicity or Association: Assisting, encouraging, aiding, abetting, covering up, or associating with persons serving an anti-doping ban.

The official list of prohibited substances and methods is maintained and published annually by WADA and UKAD.

5. Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUE)

EDGA recognises that athletes may have medical conditions requiring the use of medications or treatments that appear on the WADA Prohibited List.

1. Athletes must check the current UKAD TUE guidance and use the UKAD TUE Wizard to establish whether an application is required before competing or may be made retrospectively.
2. The timing of a TUE application depends on the athlete’s testing pool and competition level. EDGA does not determine TUE eligibility.
3. Athletes should retain appropriate medical evidence and seek advice from UKAD if the guidance does not resolve their circumstances.

6. Implementation, Education, and Prevention

EDGA promotes clean sport proactively through the following measures:

6.1 Clean Sport Information and Awareness

• EDGA will publish clean sport and anti-doping guidance on its official website, linking directly to UKAD resources and the WADA Prohibited List.
• All Tournament Directors (TDs) running EDGA Tier 1 Tour events will include clean sport reminder notices in event player packages.
• Educational materials will highlight the risks of contaminated nutritional supplements, encouraging athletes to check supplements via independent batch-testing schemes (such as Informed Sport).

6.2 Mutual Recognition of Sanctions

• EDGA respects and enforces all bans, suspensions, and sanctions imposed by UKAD, the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA), the World Flying Disc Federation (WFDF), or any other recognised sporting authority.
• Any individual serving a provisional suspension or period of ineligibility under UKAD or WADA-compliant rules is prohibited from participating in any capacity in EDGA events, governance, or affiliated club activity during that period.

7. Reporting Doping Concerns

Anyone who suspects or has evidence of doping in disc golf is encouraged to report it confidentially:

• Directly to UKAD by telephone on 0800 032 2332 or through Protect Your Sport; or
• To EDGA’s Director of Competitions at [email protected] or through the EDGA contact form, for onward handling where appropriate.

EDGA will restrict information to the people who need it, consider the reporter’s confidentiality and safety, preserve relevant records securely, and pass information to UKAD or another competent authority where appropriate. EDGA cannot promise absolute confidentiality where disclosure is required to protect a person, comply with law, or support an authorised investigation.

8. Disciplinary Procedures and Sanctions

1. Information suggesting an anti-doping rule violation will be passed to UKAD where appropriate. UKAD and the National Anti-Doping Panel determine their own jurisdiction and procedures.
2. Where a recognised anti-doping authority determines an anti-doping rule violation and imposes a sanction applicable to EDGA activity, the EDGA Board will give effect to that sanction.
3. Breach of this policy by any member, officer, or volunteer may additionally result in disciplinary proceedings under the EDGA Member Conduct and Disciplinary Regulations, including potential expulsion from Association membership.

9. Roles, Responsibilities, and Named Contacts

• Board Safeguarding and Governance Sponsor:

Role: National Director

Contact: [email protected]

Responsibility: Overall Board oversight of clean sport compliance and governance alignment.

• Competition Contact:

Role: Director of Competitions

Contact: [email protected]

Responsibility: Operational management of tournament notices, TD liaison, education distribution, and UKAD query handling.

10. Monitoring, Review, and Evaluation

The EDGA Board will review this policy at least every two years, or sooner if UK Anti-Doping or World Anti-Doping Code regulations undergo material revision.

The Board will consider clean-sport guidance, relevant reports, and any required policy changes as part of its annual governance review.

Official National Governance Policy adopted by the English Disc Golf Association Board on 05 October 2026. Registered in England and Wales under Company Number 17481886.