The England basketball follow guidelines set by the FIBA. They control sanctioned or controlled tournaments, events or fixtures, sport drug testing procedures may be undertaken as authorised by FIBA. They appose any banned substances such as: Stimulants : cocaine/caffeine which can reduce tiredness and cause the athlete to train for longer leaving them alert and confident. A stimulant affects the central nervous system. Narcotic Analgesic : Heroin which reduces sensations of the central nervous system and acts as a pain relief. Anabolic Agents: (steroids) which increase muscle size and leave the athlete to train harder and longer. Plus many more. If when an athlete is tested positive for a ban substance. Then England Basketball refers the matter to a hearing, England Basketball will send the person a letter which:
(a) Sets out the nature of the anti-doping rule violation.
(b) Advises that England Basketball will refer the matter to a hearing within 14 days.
(c) Encloses a copy of this policy.
(d) Advises, in the case of a player with an adverse analytical finding, of their right to promptly request the analysis of the B sample or, failing such request, that the B sample analysis may be deemed waived.
England Basketball will wait 14 days after sending a letter and then will:
(a) Appoint a Tribunal established in accordance with its rules, and/or the rules of FIBA, to conduct a hearing; or
(b) Appoint any other Tribunal recognised by England Basketball and UK Sport for the purposes of hearing doping related cases.
Random drug testing take place either before or after a match, not all players will be tested however, a few selected people might have to undergo the procedure. Every athlete must not oppose the testing nor miss it or a hearing will be placed and the manager can stop them playing for the team until the hearing is finished. This is highlighted in their contract in which they sign before signing up for the team. Performance Pyramid Excellence Level Performance Level Participation Level Foundation Level
From an early age due to the programs carried out in primary school (TOP Sport) a specialist basketball coach would come in and train us to play basketball. This used to be carried outside of school hours and would be known as Physical Recreation. However, on the performance pyramid I would place myself still on the foundation level as I don’t play for an outside team. However, during the time at secondary school I was captain of the girl’s team and often played in borough competitions organized by Newham and England Basketball. This helped me build an active lifestyle and gain knowledge and understanding of the game itself, as well as learning in Physical Education lessons set by the national curriculum. Even though basketball isn’t a well known sport such as football is in U.K. in America basketball is the football in U.K.