A Massey University premier club player has been banned from playing rugby for two years after he admitted using a prohibited substance.
A New Zealand Rugby judicial committee ordered the suspension after Adam Jowsey admitted two anti-doping violations, for use and possession of Clenbuterol, an anabolic agent prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency. The charges were brought against Jowsey by Drug Free Sport New Zealand.
The committee heard that Jowsey had imported Clenbuterol online in January 2015. He said he did not realise at the time he ordered the drug that it was a prohibited substance and explained he had taken Clenbuterol as part of a diet to help him lose weight and not to enhance his performance as a rugby player. In fact, the hearing heard how the front-rower's significant weight loss had had a negative effect on his on-field performance and, as a result, he was dropped from the Massey University premier team.
Jowsey said he had ordered Clenbuterol to help as a dietary measure after it was recommended by a friend. He had not looked beyond the Facebook page advertising the drug for slimming, and his subsequent email regarding price and delivery enquiries to NZ Clenbuterol over the internet.
The Committee accepted that, at the time he ordered the drug, Jowsey did not know it was on the prohibited list or know there was a high probability that it was. As a result, Jowsey was able to establish that his conduct was not intentional as defined under the rules and that he could not be said to be cheating.
