Three top New Zealand softball players have been suspended
after testing positive to cannabis during the national
softball league final in March.
Four players were tested by Drug Free Sport New Zealand and
three - Aaron Neemia, Thomas Cameron and Steven Manson -
returned positive findings.
It was catcher Neemia's second violation, and cost him a
place in the Black Sox team named to contest the world
championships in Canada next month.
The Sports Tribunal of New Zealand website said Neemia
admitted the violation, and it was accepted that the cannabis
use was not intended to enhance sports performance.
Neemia said he had taken the drug two or three days before
the national softball league finals to help with sleep, and
with pain relief for a knee injury.
The tribunal said the fact that Neemia had already received a
strong warning less than three years ago about the further
use of cannabis was an aggravating factor.
Neemia has been suspended for 18 months, beginning on March
30 this year.
Black Sox pitcher Cameron and Manson both admitted to smoking
cannabis at parties and were suspended for two months each
from March 30. The tribunal warned that, given the recent
cases of cannabis violations involving softballers, it may
have to start imposing harsher penalties.
Softball New Zealand (SNZ) general manager Dane Dougan said
it was extremely disappointing that three elite players had
let themselves and the sport down, and the sport was treating
the matter "very seriously".
"The use of cannabis as a recreational activity is illegal
and is something we will not tolerate."
He said SNZ was working on ways to address the issue.
"It came as a bit of a shock, especially with three out of
the four testing positive. We were really, really surprised,"
Dougan told NZPA today.
"But we've identified that cannabis is something we need to
focus on a bit in our sport. We'll be sending out all the
information we can from Drug Free Sport NZ, and fully support
what they do."
He said SNZ would look to target its junior programme for
early education "Not that we think there's a problem, but we
want to embed the anti-drug message there. We don't think
it's rife in the sport, but we think it's definitely
important that we start to sort it out."
Dougan said that while disappointed with the players, SNZ
will continue to support the athletes through what was
undoubtedly a tough time.
NZPA WGT cw nb
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