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Minors

Testing of minors

Players chase the ball in a women's hockey match.

Minors are classified as athletes who are under 18 years of age; New Zealand Law has strict rules for athletes who are under 16 years of age. The DFSNZ approach to testing minors is to consider the needs of these younger athletes while maintaining the integrity of the testing process.

Testing athletes who are under 18

  • We will notify athletes under the age of 18 of their rights and responsibilities regarding the testing process in the presence of an adult.
  • We encourage athletes under the age of 18 but over 16 to have an adult representative with them throughout the testing process; if no adult representative is available or they choose not to have one present, DFSNZ will ensure a second DFSNZ official will be present throughout the process.
  • A second DFSNZ official must observe the witnessing DFSNZ official when an athlete under the age of 18 provides a urine sample. This must be done without directly observing the athlete or witnessing sample provision.
  • The representative will have the opportunity to raise any concerns they may have with the testing process and will be asked to sign the Doping Control Form (as well as the athlete) to verify the details provided on the form.

Testing athletes who are under 16

  • DFSNZ requires authorisation from DFSNZ management and parental consent prior to testing athletes who are under 16.
  • Where consent is not already in place prior to notifying an athlete, we endeavour to obtain consent. Where parental consent is not given, we do not proceed with testing at that time.
  • An adult must be present for the notification of an athlete under the age of 16.
  • Athletes under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult representative during the process.

Watch the video

An animated video explaining the doping control process