British Judo Completes UK Anti-Doping Assurance Framework

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

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

The introduction of the Assurance Framework is the most significant change in the 2021 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 an increased involvement of the NGB’s Board with clean sport.

Upon completion of the Assurance Framework Karen Roberts, British Judo Head of Performance Operations said: “We have approached the UKAD Assurance Framework collaboratively, with contributions from Home Nations, Sport Development and Performance within our Clean Judo Steering Group. We have had great support from our Board, through our Board lead- Peter Blewitt.

“It is fantastic that British Judo is one of the first National Governing Bodies to achieve the 100% Compliant status, and more importantly the opportunity it has given us to look at our best practices to ensure we protect the integrity of our Sport and our Members.”

UKAD’s Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs, Nisha Dutt, said: “We are delighted to see British Judo completing the new UKAD Assurance Framework. The Assurance Framework allows NGBs to demonstrate their plans to help protect the integrity of sport. Our dedicated Assurance and Education teams have been working to support British Judo through this process. This includes the creation of a specific anti-doping education strategy, which outlines how they will embed clean sport values into their sport.

“We would like to thank British Judo for making great strides in completing this important framework, formally demonstrating their compliance with the UK National Anti-Doping Policy and their commitment to clean sport.”

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

Check out the British Judo Clean Sport page here