Mitchell slams SA schoolboy doping
The experienced Mitchell, who has also coached the Western Force and the Lions and is now based in South Africa as a television analyst, believes that the problem starts early at schoolboy level.
In a column on the Vodacom website Mitchell claimed that the obsession with size in South African rugby means that young players are under pressure to bulk up early.
"In South Africa, doping is an issue that starts at schoolboy level. The game is taken very seriously and players are often put under pressure to perform from parents and coaches alike.
"The perception in this country is that you have to be big in order to become a professional rugby player.
"I have found that there’s more of a focus on stationary weight training and getting into a gym than conditioning and basic fundamentals such as catch and pass, which is practiced in New Zealand," he wrote.
Mitchell believes that it is an issue that must be treated carefully and urged the authorities to ensure that players are adequately educated about doping.
"I’m not so sure a schoolboy who tests positive for a banned substance should be expelled. I believe a better punishment or deterrent would be to prevent him from playing for the school’s 1st XV and any age-group provincial side. Offenders also need to receive some kind of guidance and counselling.
"The game’s governing body and national rugby unions have to continually educate players about the pitfalls of ingesting drugs and what is on the banned substances list. While some players intentionally dope, at times it’s genuinely unintentional – for instance through the use of an asthma pump or supplements."
SOURCE: vodacomrugby
