Rounders England is delighted to announce its completion of the Assurance Framework, which National Governing Bodies (NGBs) must fulfil to certify to UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) they are meeting their anti-doping responsibilities.
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) published its newly updated 2021 UK National Anti-Doping Policy (Policy) in April 2021, which all NGBs must be compliant with. This was the first update of the Policy since 2009.
UKAD, which is responsible for ensuring that sports bodies comply with the World Anti-Doping Code through its implementation and management of the Policy, introduced the Assurance Framework for NGBs to physically evidence their compliance with the Policy.
The introduction of the Assurance Framework is the most significant change in the 2021 Policy. It outlines a series of mandatory requirements which all NGBs must fulfil. These requirements include the creation of an education strategy and plan, the implementation of anti-doping rules and an increased involvement of the NGB’s Board with clean sport.
Upon completion of the Assurance Framework, David Bentley, Director of Business Operations at Rounders England, said:
“The endorsement that UKAD have given for our assurance framework submission means Rounders England has fulfilled its anti-doping responsibilities as a funded sport. We remain dedicated to ensuring we provide education and information as widely as possible and are proud to play our role to ensure athletes, staff and parents are aware of their role, and are equipped to help to protect our sport and its reputation.
“We are grateful to UKAD for their support throughout the process.”
UKAD’s Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, Nisha Dutt, said:
“We are delighted to see Rounders England completing the new UKAD Assurance Framework. The Assurance Framework allows NGBs to demonstrate their plans to help protect the integrity of sport. Our dedicated Assurance and Education teams have been working to support Rounders England through this process. This includes the creation of a specific anti-doping education strategy, which outlines how they will embed clean sport values into their sport.
“We would like to thank Rounders England for making great strides in completing this important framework, formally demonstrating their compliance with the UK National Anti-Doping Policy and their commitment to clean sport.”
For more information on the Policy and Assurance Framework, visit the UKAD website.