Three strikes out

Softball NZ to crack down on drugs

THE Black Sox will leave for the world championships in Canada next month on a high just not a drug-induced one.

Every member of the squad was tested in camp several times recently in the wake of three recent anti-doping violations which cost Aaron Neemia and Thomas Cameron their place in the team.

"I don't think there is a recreational drug culture in softball," Softball New Zealand general manager Dane Dougan said. "Obviously, the recent positive drug tests have highlighted a bit of an issue for us and, to be fair, it has been a wake-up call. I am certainly not trying to defend it.

"The White Sox just played a test series against Australia in Christchurch and the players tested down there all came back clean. So, in general I don't think there is a widespread problem but it is an issue that we need to address."

"I do think we are a reasonably heavily tested sport. Our national teams have obviously been playing more with both the men's and women's teams preparing for world championships, but they don't play a lot. Every time our national teams assemble they get tested, which is fine. We are fully supportive of that but I think we are targeted a bit by Drug Free New Zealand, which is fine because we fully endorse what they are trying to do. I have no dramas with that but I do think we are tested reasonably heavily as a sport."

In the past five years, 49 softballers have been tested by the Sport Tribunal of New Zealand. Seven, including Neemia twice, have tested positive to cannabis use. Fourteen per cent of all anti-doping violations have involved softball and of the 32 cannabis-related infringements just over 20% of them have also involved softball. "For sure, those figures aren't particularly flattering," Dougan said. "Three of those were obviously recent ones and, again, I am not trying to defend it but if you take them out of the equation then you have four in the last five years, which is a lot healthier. As an organisation we have been looking at the whole image of softball and are currently working on initiatives around how to promote healthy lifestyles for our athletes. Softball is a reasonably explosive sport and you have to be fit to play it as well. I can't fathom why some of these people do what they do. It's not just a sport problem though. It's a social one as we have seen with recent government legislation that will allow drivers to be tested for drugs and not just alcohol."

Neemia was one of four softball players tested after the National Softball League finals in Wellington in March. Two other players, Thomas Cameron and Steven Manson, also tested positive for cannabis.

Cameron was the first of the trio to face the Sports Tribunal. Its decision was handed down on April 20. He was suspended for two months effective from March 30, the date he was provisionally suspended. He has been in great form for the Brisbane-based Bruins, where he has been playing since his suspension ended. In the recent South Brisbane Club Classic he was the best batter for the tournament .

Since the anti-doping violations came to light Softball New Zealand has been setting up its own initiatives to stamp out drug use.

"We are looking at all of our tournaments but specifically the national championships," Dougan said. "We are trying to take a lead and require any player in a provincial side to sign a code of conduct. Part of that will be around the use of recreational drugs. And whether it is a Softball New Zealand test or a Drug Free New Zealand one, we will definitely look at sanctions if any player tests positive."

- © Fairfax NZ News