UK Anti-Doping Assurance Framework

British Fencing is now fully compliant with the UKAD Assurance Framework

We are delighted to announce our completion of the Assurance Framework, which National Governing Bodies (NGBs) must fulfil to certify to UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) that they are meeting their anti-doping responsibilities.

The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) published the updated 2021 UK National Anti-Doping Policy in April 2021, which all NGBs must be compliant with. This was the first update of the Policy since its implementation in 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 be able to evidence their compliance with the Policy.

The introduction of the Assurance Framework is the most significant change in the 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 increased involvement of an NGB’s Board with clean sport.

Upon completion of the Assurance Framework Georgina Usher, British Fencing CEO, said: “I would like to thank the staff and key volunteers (specifically our Chief Medical Officer, Clare Halsted) for their significant efforts on the BF submission. BF condemns doping in sport and is committed to the pursuit of clean sport, and our work continues to ensure that all our members (fencers, coaches, officials, and supporters) of all ages understand that they are bound by the UK National Anti-Doping Policy and have personal responsibility and accountability to act accordingly in training and competition.”

UKAD’s Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, Nisha Dutt, said: “At UKAD we work tirelessly to protect clean sport, but we can’t do it alone. This Assurance Framework supports NGBs with the delivery of their anti-doping responsibilities and will help British Fencing to embed clean sport values into the sport going forward. It is brilliant to see that British Fencing has completed the UKAD Assurance Framework after working closely with our dedicated Assurance and Education teams over recent months.”

For more information on the Policy and Assurance Framework, visit the UKAD website.

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