Diversity Policy:
We are proud of our commitment to equality and diversity, and this is demonstrated through our governance, projects and support to the Disabled bowls community.
Our sport allows for inclusive participation for all ages, genders and abilities and access to bowls through our projects. We ensure everyone is always treated the same and with dignity and respect by our team and members.
Our membership is open to everyone with no restrictions and demonstrates the diverse nature of the population.
Disability Bowls England (DBE) is committed to ensuring there is diversity and equality throughout and that no individuals (including players, spectators, coaches, helpers, officials, administrators and staff) receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of their age, gender, race, disability, religion or socio-economic status.
Trans and Gender Diverse Policy:
Bowls is an inclusive sport, open to all who wish to be involved in any capacity and we encourage all trans and non-binary participants to take part.
Whilst the physical demands of bowls are more modest than most sports, bowls is a gender-affected sport. As such, it is the responsibility of the National Governing Body (NGB) to ensure that it provides a framework for fair competition and has due regard for the safety of all competitors, whilst also ensuring there is an opportunity for everyone to take part.
Bowls England Trans and Gender Diverse Policy can be viewed by
clicking the link Trans and Gender Diverse Policy.
Safeguarding Policy:
Disability Bowls England follows the Safeguarding guidelines as set out and agreed by the sport of bowls governing bodies and which can be viewed by clicking the link: www.safeguardingbowls.org
Anti-Doping & Smoking Guidance for Competitors
Please note this guidance is an appendix to the Code of Conduct and outlines Disability Bowls England’s Anti-Doping & Smoking Policy of which all players are required to comply.
Smoking:
Disability Bowls England (DBE) no-smoking policy seeks to ensure the health, safety and welfare of all players, members, coaches, supporters and anyone else at events and competitions to breathe air-free of tobacco smoke and to comply with smoke-free legislation.
DBE advises no smoking (including electronic devices) on the bowling greens, rinks or surrounds. Smoking will only be permissible in accordance with the rules set out at the clubs & premises hosting events, competitions and matches, includes all electronic cigarettes.
Anti-doping:
The Anti-Doping rules of Disability Bowls England are the UK Anti-Doping Rules Published by UK Anti-Doping (or its successor), as amended from time to time. The UK Current anti-doping guidance can be found at: www.ukad.org.uk/anti-doping-rules.
All players are eligible for testing at any time, however players who are selected for international trials and events (including British Isles/Commonwealth Games/World Championships/Atlantic Championships) are more likely to be selected for doping control.
Players can be tested at any time at any event and the onus is on them to check any medication. Failure to do so and the provision of a “positive” anti-doping test will result in severe disciplinary action.
Many medications available for common medical conditions, such as asthma or hayfever, may contain prohibited substances. Players need to be aware that these are readily available in products prescribed by your doctor or bought over the counter in a pharmacy.
It is therefore important that you check any medication you are currently taking.
The advice from UK Anti-Doping is simple – check every medication before you use it, even if you have used it before. It is also important to remember that medications bought abroad may contain different substances to the same product purchased in the UK and you should always check before you take them.
Checking medications for prohibited substances
Global DRO provides a quick and easy means by which athletes and support personnel can check the status of medications based on the current Prohibited List. This website allows players to research any sort of medication they may wish to take in order to check if there are any substances contained within the medication that are included in WADA’s Prohibited List. To access Global DRO, go to: www.globaldro.com
Therapeutic Use Exemption (TUE)
When prescribed a substance or method, players should check if that medication is prohibited by checking Global DRO. If the medication is not prohibited, players can start using the prescribed medication or treatment. If the medication is prohibited, players should check with their prescribing physician if there are any alternative medications or treatments that are permitted.
If there are no permitted alternatives, any player that is selected for doping control during the Bowls England National Championships will have 10 working days to apply retroactively for a TUE. It is not necessary to obtain a TUE in advance of the Bowls England National Championships.
To download the TUE application form from World Bowls, go to: www.worldbowls.com/anti-doping/tue-application
To view the current anti-doping guidelines, go to the UKAD website at: www.ukad.org.uk
For further information contact: info@disabilitybowlsengland.org.uk
General Code of Conduct 2020