The spirit of sport is expressed in how we play true. World Bowls believes doping is fundamentally contrary to the spirit of sport. The use of doping substances or doping methods to enhance performance is fundamentally wrong and is detrimental to the overall spirit of sport.

Doping and drug misuse can be harmful to an athlete’s health and to other athletes competing in sport. Doping severely damages the integrity, image and value of sport, whether or not the motivation to use drugs is to improve performance.

World Bowls believes in the critical importance of achieving integrity and fairness in sport and seeks to maintain the integrity of Bowls by adhering to the World Anti-Doping Rules with a focus on education, prevention and regular testing, with consequent sanctioning of any who break the rules.

World Bowls seeks to empower all Bowls athletes to stay on top of their game – not just Athletes, but coaches, administrators, medical personnel and all other members of the Athlete entourage. We encourage everyone to take the time to review this information and to ensure they are informed.

WADA

The World Anti-Doping Agency – WADA – was established in 1999 as an international independent agency to lead a collaborative worldwide movement for doping-free sport.

WADA’s primary role is to develop, harmonize and coordinate anti-doping rules and policies across all sports and countries. Key activities include scientific and social science research; education; intelligence & investigations; development of anti-doping capacity; and monitoring of compliance with the World Anti-Doping Program.

 

WADA Athlete Newsletter

WADA produces a quarterly Athlete Newsletter to communicate directly with athletes.

The newsletter provides clear, accessible information about anti-doping rules, processes, and initiatives that affect athletes and their sporting careers. It is designed to make anti-doping easier to understand and more athlete-focused.

What athletes can expect

  • Updates on anti-doping policies and WADA initiatives

  • Easy-to-follow explanations of how anti-doping works

  • Athlete-focused updates from around the world

  • Upcoming events and education initiatives

  • Opportunities to share feedback and have a voice

Subscribe
Receive updates directly from WADA, delivered quarterly.

Subscribe to WADA’s Athlete Newsletter

 

World Bowls and WADA

As a member of WADA, World Bowls has adopted the World Anti-Doping Rules and implements them in accordance with World Bowls’ responsibilities under the WADA Code, and in furtherance of World Bowls’ continuing efforts to eradicate doping in sport.

As a Signatory of the World Anti-Doping Code, World Bowls is responsible for implementing an effective and Code-compliant Anti-Doping program for the sport of Bowls.

The World Bowls Anti-Doping program includes activities like arranging testing at World Bowls events, management of Therapeutic Use Exemptions (TUEs) for international-level Athletes, Results Management and Athlete Education.

The World Anti-Doping Rules are sport rules governing the conditions under which sport is played. Aimed at enforcing anti-doping rules in a global and harmonized manner, they are distinct in nature from criminal and civil laws. They are not intended to be subject to or limited by any national requirements and legal standards applicable to criminal or civil proceedings, although they are intended to be applied in a manner which respects the principles of proportionality and human rights. When reviewing the facts and the law of a given case, all courts, arbitral tribunals and other adjudicating bodies should be aware of and respect the distinct nature of these Anti-Doping Rules, which implement the Code, and the fact that these rules represent the consensus of a broad spectrum of stakeholders around the world as to what is necessary to protect and ensure fair sport.

 

Current anti-doping updates

The 2026 Prohibited List and 2026 Monitoring Program are now in force, effective 1 January 2026.

Athletes, coaches, and support personnel are reminded to review the updated List each year and ensure they are familiar with any changes that may affect medication use, treatments, or competition preparation.

World Bowls encourages all participants to use the official education tools and guidance provided by World Anti-Doping Agency and to seek advice from their relevant Anti-Doping Organisation if there is any uncertainty.

Key resources

World Bowls is committed to clean sport. Doping is fundamentally contrary to the spirit of sport – it harms health, undermines fairness, and damages our game.


The spirit of sport celebrates the human spirit, body, and mind and is reflected in values such as: health; ethics, fair play and honesty; athletes’ rights; excellence; character and education; fun and joy; teamwork; dedication and commitment; respect for rules and laws; respect for self and others; courage; community and solidarity.

Who the Rules Apply To

  • World Bowls directors, officers, employees, and delegated third parties involved in Doping Control.

  • Each World Bowls Member (full Members, Associate Members, any class per the Constitution), incl. their boards, officers, specified employees and delegated third parties involved in Doping Control.

  • Athletes, Athlete Support Personnel and other Persons who are:

    • members of World Bowls / a National Federation / any member or affiliate (clubs, teams, associations, leagues);

    • participating in events/competitions or activities organised, authorised, or recognised by World Bowls or its Members (wherever held);

    • under the authority of World Bowls or a National Federation by accreditation/licence/contract;

    • not regular members but seek eligibility for an International Event.
      All such persons are deemed to accept and be bound by the Anti-Doping Rules and World Bowls’ jurisdiction.

Bowls Events Covered

All International Events require World Bowls approval.

World Bowls Events (incl. but not limited to):

  • World Championships (4-yearly) • World Indoor Championships (annual) • World Singles Champion of Champions (annual) • World Under 25 Championships (annual) • World Cup (annual) • Asia Pacific Championships (4-yearly) • Atlantic Championships (4-yearly)

World Bowls-Approved International Events (incl. but not limited to):

  • British Isles Indoor & Outdoor Senior & Junior Championships & International Series (annual) • European Bowls Union Championships (biennial) • Asia Pacific Merdeka (annual) • Asian Lawn Bowls Championships & Under 25 (biennial) • African States Tournament (biennial) • Trans-Tasman (annual) • Hong Kong Classic (annual) • China Open & Tiger Bowls (annual) • North America Challenge (annual) • International Test Match Series (as approved) • International Open events (as approved) • International Bowls for the Disabled Championships • International Para Events (as approved)

World Bowls Anti-Doping Rules ›

Strict liability means each athlete is responsible for any substance found in their sample — intentional or not. Know exactly what enters your body.

Athletes’ Rights

Equality of opportunity; equitable and fair testing; medical treatment and health protection; right to justice and accountability; whistle-blower rights; right to education and data protection; rights to compensation; protected persons’ rights; rights during sample collection (incl. B-sample analysis); other rights and freedoms; application and standing. (See Athletes’ Anti-Doping Rights Act.)

Athletes’ Responsibilities

Know and follow World Bowls/WADA rules; take full responsibility for what you ingest/use; inform medical personnel of your obligations; cooperate with World Bowls/WADA/NADOs; be available for sample collection; do not work with ineligible/banned support personnel.

Athlete Support Personnel & Others

Know applicable rules; use your influence to foster clean-sport values; comply with all rules; cooperate with testing; disclose any prior Anti-Doping Rule Violations (past 10 years); cooperate with investigations.

World Anti-Doping Code ›

Doping is the occurrence of one or more Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs). For athletes there are 11 ADRVs; for support personnel/others, 7.

  • Presence of a prohibited substance (or its metabolites/markers) in a sample

  • Use or attempted use of a prohibited substance/method

  • Evading/refusing/failing to submit to sample collection

  • Whereabouts failures (incl. missed tests)

  • Tampering or attempted tampering with any part of Doping Control

  • Possession of a prohibited substance/method

  • Trafficking or attempted trafficking

  • Administration or attempted administration (in-competition or out-of-competition as applicable)

  • Complicity or attempted complicity

  • Prohibited association with sanctioned Athlete Support Personnel

  • Acts to discourage or retaliate against reporting to authorities

Athletes under World Bowls’ jurisdiction may be tested anytime, with no notice, in- or out-of-competition. The WADA-defined process safeguards quality and consistency worldwide.

Your rights during sample collection:

  • Be accompanied by a representative; request an interpreter (if available); verify DCO/Chaperone ID; ask questions; request a valid delay (e.g., medal ceremony/medical/warm-down/finish training); request special assistance/modifications; note comments/concerns on the Doping Control Form.

Your responsibilities during sample collection:

  • Report immediately when selected; show valid ID; remain in direct sight of the DCO/Chaperone; follow the procedure.

Athlete Biological Passport (ABP): long-term monitoring of biological markers in blood/urine to detect abnormal fluctuations; supports targeted testing and may corroborate ADRV cases.
More on ABP: https://www.wada-ama.org/en/athlete-biological-passport

International-level athletes (those taking part in World Bowls competitions, per the Rules) may be placed in the World Bowls Testing Pool and must provide quarterly whereabouts in ADAMS.

  • Inclusion letters are sent by World Bowls to the athlete’s Member Nation Authority/Federation. MNAs must inform athletes of inclusion and return the signed Athlete Acknowledgement Form to World Bowls.

  • From notification, athletes must submit whereabouts for the stated quarter by the deadline.

  • Enter complete and precise location data (incl. POSTAL/ZIP code, street, country, city, region). Keep whereabouts up to date to ensure eligibility.

  • ADAMS is WADA’s secure, multilingual system for whereabouts/data/reporting and is Code-compliant.

  • To register or modify data in ADAMS, contact your National Anti-Doping Organisation (NADO).

Checking Medications

Risks of Supplements

World Bowls advises that no supplement is risk-free. Risks include: lower manufacturing standards (contamination), fake/low-quality products, mislabelling, and false “approved for athletes” claims.
If you still choose to use supplements, minimise risk by:

Some medical conditions require treatment with substances/methods on the Prohibited List. A TUE can authorise use without an ADRV.

TUE criteria (all four must be met):

  1. Clear, diagnosed medical condition; 2) No performance enhancement beyond normal health; 3) No reasonable permitted alternative; 4) Need is not a result of prior prohibited use.

Who, where & when to apply:

  • If subject to Anti-Doping rules and a prohibited treatment is required, apply to your NADO or World Bowls.

  • International-Level Athletes: apply in advance and as soon as the need arises (for in-competition-only substances, apply ≥50 days before your next competition).

  • World Bowls recognises valid TUEs granted by a NADO; World Bowls will also recognise valid TUEs for non-International-Level Athletes.

How to apply:

  • Download: World Bowls TUE Application Form – https://www.worldbowls.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/tue_application_form_-1-3.pdf

  • Submit completed form + full medical file to admin@worldbowls.com (typed or legible caps).

  • Medical file must include: comprehensive medical history (incl. original diagnosing physician docs where possible) and all relevant exams/labs/imaging.

  • Incomplete/illegible applications will be returned for completion.

  • Support: consult WADA TUE Checklists and Medical Information resources. Keep a full copy of everything submitted, incl. proof of sending.

Retroactive TUEs may apply for: emergency/urgent treatment; insufficient time/opportunity before testing; lower-level athletes outside World Bowls/NADO jurisdiction who were tested; use out-of-competition of a substance that is only prohibited in-competition (e.g., glucocorticoids); or rare/exceptional cases where not granting would be manifestly unfair (subject to WADA prior approval; WADA may accept or reject World Bowls’ decision).

Major Events (e.g., Commonwealth Games): the MEO may require recognition of your TUE — contact the MEO for the process.

Renewals: TUEs expire on the stated date. If continuing treatment is needed, apply before expiry with updated medical information. Dosage/frequency/route/duration must match the TUE; material changes may require a new TUE (physicians should note possible dose fluctuations in the application).

If a TUE is denied: you’ll receive written reasons. If unclear, contact World Bowls. Missing critical info? Re-apply.
You may request WADA review within 21 days of notification (same file as submitted to World Bowls):

  • WADA Medical Department, Stock Exchange Tower, 800 Place Victoria (Suite 1700), P.O. Box 120, Montreal (Quebec) H4Z 1B7, Canada

  • Email: medical@wada-ama.org
    WADA is not obliged to proceed with a review. You/your NADO may appeal to CAS.

Confidentiality: All TUE information is handled under the Athlete’s Declaration (ADAMS / World Bowls TUE Form) and the International Standard for Privacy & Personal Information. TUEC members and authorised recipients are bound by confidentiality. If you revoke TUEC access to required info, the application is deemed withdrawn. Data is retained no longer than necessary per the Standard.
Contact: admin@worldbowls.com

Reference: WADA ISTUE – https://www.wada-ama.org/en/resources/world-anti-doping-code-and-international-standards/international-standard-therapeutic-use

Sporting: sanctions range from warnings to lifetime bans; bans may prevent competing, coaching, or working with athletes in bowls or any other sport.

Legal: in some countries doping is a criminal offence (possible fines, community service, imprisonment).

Health: severe side-effects and potential irreversible damage; links to mental-health issues incl. anxiety, obsessive disorders and psychosis.

Social: reputational harm and stigma; damaged relationships with family/friends/teammates.

Financial: loss of prize money, financial sanctions, termination of contracts/sponsorships, loss of government funding or support.

Education: World Bowls uses WADA’s ADEL platform. “ADEL for International-Level Athletes” is available to all and may be required under Conditions of Play. It explains risks, testing and clean-sport solutions.

Report in Confidence: Use WADA Speak Up to confidentially report suspected violations.

 

The TUE Application form should be completed by

International Level Athletes due to compete in an International Event

Elite Athletes in the World Bowls registered International Testing Pool (as advised to World Bowls by the relevant National Authorities)

Where an athlete is due to appear in an International event and wishes to make application for a TUE in respect of prescribed medication involving a Banned Substance or Method on the current WADA Prohibited List, such application should preferably be submitted at least one month prior to appearance in the event and certainly no later than 21 days prior to the commencement of the event.

Please note that World Bowls will not be responsible for advising athletes on any medical conditions and whether such medication includes Substances or Methods included on the WADA Banned List of Prohibited Substances and Methods. All such investigations are the responsibility of the athlete in consultation with their own medical practitioners/consultants. International Level Athletes may also wish to consult their National Authority in confidence to determine the requirements in relation to submitting a TUE application to World Bowls.

All TUE applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

 

Please note that the application should be accompanied by a fee of £50/AUD$100.

Payment may be made by bank transfer as follows:

 

To the UK bank account –

Account name: World Bowls

Bank: Bank of Scotland, 600 Gorgie Road, Edinburgh, EH11 3XP, UK.

Bank Code No: 80 22 60

IBAN: GB57 BOFS 8022 6001 9228 43

Account No: 01922843 BIC: BOFSGBS1SDP

 

To the Australian bank account –

Account Name: World Bowls Ltd.

BSB: 083166

Account Number: 910159504

Swift Code: NATAAU3303M

Bank: NAB, Melbourne Central & Camberwell Region, Level 1, 990 Toorak Road, Camberwell VIC 3124, Australia

 

More detail is provided in the World Bowls Anti-Doping Rules document available here.

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