Not many writers have addressed the biggest issue pertaining to the ACC’s findings on Australian sport in relation to doping: duty of care to players.
Unfortunately corporate and personal greed has turned professional athletes into commodities. Stock that can be openly traded with benefits in sponsorship, accolades and the next big deal.
Is it any wonder a 20-year-old athlete isn’t going to resist temptation, when he sees a clubs star player driving around in a six figure automobile, dressed in the latest fashion and swatting away groupies with ink covered arms?
All in line with the salary cap, of course.
It’s bad enough that athletes get supplements pushed into their space like a dollar bag of mixed lollies. “This one makes you bigger, this one makes you faster, you won’t get sore with this one” say various experts with credentials as dubious as the nightclub manager letting them jump the queue at the latest club.
The NRL and AFL education and welfare systems, while they are there, are not there with purpose.
Jobs are given to young players with no long term thought on life after sport, so why would it be remiss to think that untested cutting edge fuel boosters aren’t handed out after an intense sprint session.
Most of the supplements and medications prescribed to players are untested for effect. This leaves clubs, doctors and trainers open to litigation.
Most importantly, it leaves young kids’ long-term health at risk, and this should be the real issue with these findings. The disregard for human health shown by so called “leaders” and coaches is completely disgusting.
Children looking for their big break are encouraged to get there by any means possible. If someone can help them do that, of course they are going to listen.
Every sports administrator knows the signs and effects of using performance enhancing drugs. They know the shape an athlete takes on. They know the acne on the back that shouldn’t be there and the squaring of the jaw.
They know how much fat should be on a person of average height. Yet the eyes are closed for competition points. Someone needs to tell young athletes that at 38 when their heart is failing, or their bones can’t take the weight, no one is there to help them.
Dr. Smith won’t be there to prescribe something untested that will bring life to them.
No, unless they are in the one percent, they are forgotten about. Just like a used up coal mine, they are cast aside and the next big thing is taken on, and paraded by officials who promised they’d always remember your contribution.
The win at all costs mentality isn’t only about money. Winning at all costs is a foolish pride mentality which attaches itself to team sports, working for your mates, trusting one another.
Winning at all costs isn’t for yourself. It’s for the club machine and corporatisation of sport.
It’s exposure for sponsors. It’s recognition for coaches. It’s for your home ground, it’s for the fans. It’s not for the young wide eyed player who may not even get there in the end.
These are the kids that the sporting codes need to support.
Protection for our junior athletes needs to be maintained and be seen as the number one priority. Go hard at the clubs involved, lock up the rogue doctors and take away the criminals.
Wayne Richards cheated and he was hung out to dry, while team mates won grand finals, rep jerseys and television deals. Should he have been supported? Maybe.
Has he been forgotten? Yes. It’s unfortunate that athletes are just another number.
turbodewd
Guest
Im a big fan of the NFL, but I have no doubt loads of their players are on HGH and testosterone replacement therapy. And that would all start in college football.
Hornet
Roar Rookie
I agree that there are no effect yet, bu systematic steroid abuse in other sports overseas has seen multiple athletes pass at an early age, record heart problems. Reports in other publications have shown that Sports scientists and club docors are willing to trial untested enhancers on athletes without any thougt to long term effect. Of course you are not aware of untowad things, that is he purpose of various audits happening to make people aware of systematic cheating. Physically and mentally it must take a toll on the athletes, while the clubs deny knowledge and show a minimum duty of care - which is wa the article is addressing.
B.A Sports
Guest
Hornet In the US, what (I think) you are talking about is an issue. Players (football mainly) being driven to take pain killers as early as College ball and then developing a dependancy on them post their career which is having health and well being implications. I don't know if that is what you mean here, but in an Australian context, i don't see that happeing or know that it is an issue. And as Turbo said, Players are people, like you and me and they have choices. Coaches push the limits with training techniques to try and give themselves an edge and no doubt that goes with nutrition and preperartion as well. But no club is going to deliberately do things that are going to risk litigation in the future. Heck I heard Wayne Bennett say yesterday his club policy has always been not to allow players to drink caffine drinks before games. I think you are sensationalizing a little.
oikee
Guest
Sponsers or the game itself are not telling young players to take drugs. This action taken now should be the wake-up call for players. Becoming a superstar holds it's own risk. Being drug tested, under the spotlight. And you sure cant blame the sponsers or clubs for some players actions. SBW is a perfect example, trying to maximise his worth. Mind you, nothing wrong with that, if he is drug free then he has nothing to worry about. And to be honest, the more superstars your game can produce, the more worth it is to players and sponsers. Rugby league is designed to highlight players status, skills are on show for all to see in a very tough enviroment. Better testing standards is what the game needs now. I heard mention that some peptides cant even be detected. In this case, where are the scientists that find new testing measures.
turbodewd
Guest
Hornet, what things are the players taking that concern you? Im not aware of any untoward things they are consuming. Im not aware of any players suffering any ill effects yet either.
csaw59
Guest
A lot of the times it is the parents who are pushing onto their kids to get that edge over the other kids & snare that elusive contract. Sport is now a profession & some kids make a career choice to play professional sport, so the drive to find that 'edge' starts way before kids reach NRL level ...maybe we have to start testing at a younger age?
Hornet
Roar Rookie
@ Turbowed Thats not what the article intended at all. The article is about duty of care towards athletes. Its not the athletes in question in the article, its those around them. Its the administrators, coaches, medico's and even the government who arte turning a blind eye for short term gain. A footballer for example is told to take a supplement, even educated to take something that is going to gve them a better chance to "make" it. The majority of the time these training aids are pushed on to them. Anthony Watmough didn't employ Stephen Dank. The Manly Sea Eagles did. People will look to blame the players, when the pressures put on them by club, are to blame.
turbodewd
Guest
Hornet, footballers are in an employment market just like your or me. You're article is massively condescending. When I was 20 I had my own brain and i had parents. Like any normal person I would discuss my career with my olds. I never needed my employer to intervene in my life. This article implies footballers have no brain. These guys have a limited career, they just need to train like buggery and try like buggery every sunday. Enjoy their limited time in the spotlight if they make first grade.