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British Handball, working in partnership with UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) and the International Handball Federation (IHF), aims to ensure that our sport is protected from the threat of doping, and that GB national team players have the consistent right to compete against other clean players.
It is the personal responsibility of each player, coach and support personnel to acquaint themselves and comply with the Anti-Doping Rules.
You can find the UK Anti-Doping rules here
The UK anti-doping rules are consistent with the World Anti-Doping Code, the core document that harmonises anti-doping policies, rules and regulation within sport globally
British Handball is a member of the International Handball Federation (IHF) and European Handball Federation (EHF). Below are links to the EHF/IHF anti-doping pages:
IHF Anti-Doping Education page
EHF Regulations for Anti-doping
The British Handball Anti-Doping Strategy and Education Policy is based on UKAD guidance and outline the process to ensure that everyone involved with handball is aware of the anti-doping rules.
British Handball Anti-Doping Policy and Education Strategy [link]
The fundamental anti-doping principal of strict liability means that a player is responsible for their conduct, the decisions they make, and the results of any test they undergo regardless of whether or not they intended to cheat – not knowing is not an excuse!
Where players are aged under 18, their parents/carers must ensure they are aware of the regulations.
UKAD Clean Sport Essentials: Parents and Carers of young Athletes
2021 World Anti-Doping Code
From 1 January 2021, new version of the Code is in effect and it is important that all players and support personnel are aware of how it impacts them.
For more information on the changes within the 2021 Code, visit
Under the 2021 Code, a player may be classified as being "international level", which will apply to players in all the GB squads, "National-Level" or a "Recreational Athlete" based on their competition level. Further information on these different categories is available on the UKAD website.
Anti-Doping Rule Violations
Breaking the anti-Doping rules can result in a ban from all sport. The Code outlines the Anti-Doping Violations (ADRVs). Players and support personnel should make themselves aware of the risks, so they don't receive an unintentional ban from sport. Useful information for players can be found on the UKD website.
The Big Picture – Top Tips for Clean Sport
A player is responsible for anything found in their system, regardless of how it got there or whether there is any intention to cheat. All players and support personnel should make themselves aware of the risks, so they don't receive an unintentional ban from sport. Useful information for athletes can be found on the UKAD website.
The Prohibited List
All prohibited substances and methods in Code-compliant sports are outlined in the Prohibited List. The Prohibited List is managed and coordinated by WADA, found on the WADA website here. The List is updated each year, coming into effect on 1st January. It is possible for WADA to make changes to the List more than once a year, but they must communicate such changes three months before they come into effect. As this list is updated annually, athletes and athlete support personnel should make sure they check it ahead of it coming into effect. More information can be found on UKAD's website.
Checking Medications
Before taking any medication (whether from a doctor or purchased over the counter), players must check to make sure it doesn't contain any prohibited substances. Medications (ingredients or brand name) can be checked online at Global DRO. It is important to note that medications bought in one country may contain different ingredients to the same branded medication in another country. For more information on checking medications, visit UKAD's website here.
Check out this video from UKAD's Athlete Commission member and British Paralympic Powerlifter, Ali Jawad, on using Global DRO.
Taking Nutritional Supplements
UKAD always advises a food first approach to nutrition, as there are no guarantees that any supplement product is free from prohibited substances. Players can support their training and progress towards their targets by eating and enjoying nutritious food. With a bit of planning, it is possible to eat a delicious and healthy diet made up of a variety of food types at the right time, and in the right quantities.
Players should assess the need, the risks and the consequences before deciding to take a supplement, and if they need to use one, visit the Informed Sport website to check whether supplements have been batch-tested. More advice on managing supplement risks can be found on UKAD's Supplement Hub here.
Applying for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)
If a player with a legitimate medical condition needs to use a prohibited substance or method, they will need to apply for a Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE). This is only accepted if there are no other suitable permitted medications or treatments that can be used, and there is a strict, detailed process to determine this.
Players can find out more information about the TUE process on the UKAD website here and use the TUE Wizard to find out whether they need to apply for a TUE and who to submit their application to.
What Happens in a test
Players should feel prepared and know their rights and responsibilities when they are notified to be tested by a Chaperone or Doping Control Officer. Check out this video below on the testing process from start to finish.
Players can find out more in the Introduction to Testing section of UKAD's website.
Parents and Guardians of young players
Parents or guardians of young players have an important role to play in supporting the development of their child as a clean athlete, and it is therefore important that you understand how you can help influence the values and behaviours they adopt. UKAD has produced a useful guide, which has a lot of information about clean sport, anti-doping, testing and much more. We recommend that parents and guardians read this.
Click here to access Clean Sport Essentials: Parents and Carers of Young Athletes
100% me – Supporting athletes to be clean
100% me is UKAD's values-based education and information programme, helping players meet their anti-doping responsibilities throughout their sporting journey. We want all players to be clean, stay clean and believe all others are clean. For more information on what this means, visit UKAD's website here. UKAD's 100% me Clean Sport App can also be downloaded from iTunes, Google Play or Windows Live Store, for essential anti-doping information.
Protect Your Sport
Protecting clean sport depends on everyone playing their part - players, coaches, or parents - whether on centre stage or behind the scenes. Speak out if you feel there's something wrong - no matter how small. UKAD guarantee that your identity will always be kept 100% confidential.
There are different ways to speak out:
Email - When you feel something's wrong, send an email. UKAD guarantee that your name and email address will be kept confidential. Email at
WhatsApp - Message on WhatsApp* at +44 (0) 7587 634711 - no matter how small. UKAD guarantee that your name and number will be kept confidential.
Find out the more about speaking out and Protect Your Sport here.
*WhatsApp is an encrypted platform. This number is not open to receiving calls
If you have any queries please contact:
BHA Anti-Doping Lead: Bobby White bobby.white@englandhandball.com
BHA Board Anti-Doping Lead: Paul Bray paul.bray@britishhandball.com
You can also contact UKAD directly at ukad@ukad.org.uk or +44 (0) 207 842 3450. Regular updates from UKAD can also be found in the news section of their website or on their twitter account:
Page last updated November 1st, 2021
Anti-doping activity report 2020-21
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