WHILE they await more details about the drugs in sport investigation, local junior rugby league clubs continue to promote the philosophy of doing the right thing and taking a healthy approach to life.
The South Coast is a renowned breeding ground for league players and local clubs promote the principles of fair play and doing the right thing.
President of the Bomaderry Swamp Rats junior rugby league club Steve McConville said the Australian Crime Commission might have “jumped the gun” a bit early.
He said the Swamp Rats' code of conduct stated players had to do the right thing by themselves and by the club.
He said shortcuts, such as taking banned substances, meant in the end players were cheating themselves.
“You have to do the hard yards,” he said.
President of the Berry Shoalhaven Heads Junior Rugby League Club Alan Bowley said drug abuse was not just a problem in sport but throughout society.
He said sport had been targeted because of its many big-name players and celebrities.
He said the performance enhancing substance business was massive and there was a fine line between what was legal and illegal.
Mr Bowley said today's sportspeople were not only pressured to perform but were also consistently under the microscope
“There is greater expectation on the elite players now, compared to 10 or 15 years ago,” he said.
The message the junior Magpies try to promote is: do the right thing both off and on the field.
He said that message should start at home.
Mr Bowley said a child would listen to and respect what a parent said about not taking banned substances.
He hoped parents wouldn't be turned off by the controversy.
“Rugby league without a doubt will survive this issue,” he said.
