68 Sports


Rebecca Evans: ‘The use of IPEDs is not just a problem in sport - it is a wider societal issue’


THE HERALD FRIDAY JANUARY 27 2017


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Minister's warning on steroid abuse Saints stay top


St Clears Tregaron


17 5


League 3 West A ST CLEARS remained top of


the table as they battled to a 17-5 win over Tregaron on Saturday (Jan 21). The home side played well


throughout the game but Tregaron did well to restrict their opponents to just three tries, having lost 51-10 to the Saints in the reverse fixture. Llyr Ebsworth, James Davies


and Dafydd Page were St Clears’ try scorers but they were unable to make their pressure count to secure a


bonus point try. Geraint Jones was successful


with one conversion while Tregaron had an unconverted try for their efforts. On Saturday (Jan 28), Tregaron are at home to Pembroke. On the same day, St Clears are


away to second placed Milford in what is sure to be one of the best games of the weekend. Milford won the previous fixture


between the sides 23-3 but Saturday could see a much closer score with the Saints looking to maintain their place at the top of the table.


Narrow loss for Carmarthen Carmarthen REBECCA EVANS, Minister


for Social Services and Public Health, has spoken out about a culture of image and performance enhancing drug (IPED) misuse that is threatening to damage the health of a generation. Addressing a symposium at


the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, which brought together key partners committed to tackling the issue, Rebecca Evans said IPED-use is a growing problem – particularly in areas of South Wales. Many IPED users are young men


seeking to enhance their body image, or to improve their performance while participating in sport. Research in Wales shows that of


those accessing programmes for sterile injecting equipment for IPED use, 36% reported having started using IPEDs within the past three years – indicating an increase in usage. There are significant harms


associated with such use, including heart disease and liver damage, as well as those related to mental health, including increased aggression and depression. There is also the risk of infection from injecting drugs. Speaking ahead of the symposium,


Rebecca Evans said: “The use of IPEDs is not just a problem in sport - it is a wider societal issue. There are a worrying number of young people, especially men, purchasing and taking illicit substances for image reasons and some then participating in community sport. “We must reverse this culture


of IPED use if we are to protect a generation of young people from the serious side effects they can cause. “That is why I am pleased so


many key partners are attending today’s symposium. Working in strong partnership with third sector, health, local government and sporting agencies, we can build on the good work already underway and tackle this issue head on.” Public Health Wales has carried out


significant work to address the problem of IPEDs, including the development


of the IPED website to provide information and harm reduction advice for those using or considering the use of IPEDs. Josie Smith, Head of Substance


Misuse for Public Health Wales, said: “Over the past 20 years, we have become aware of increasing numbers of people using IPEDs across a wide demographic. Changing culture and increasing emphasis on male physique, as well as availability of anabolic steroids, growth hormone and new peptides have led to substantial increases both in use but also potentially in perceived pressure to use these drugs. “It is vital that we ensure three


things: that people are well informed and can access accurate information; that no one feels pressure to use IPEDs in order to look a certain way or improve performance; and that anyone using or considering IPED use is able to access and engage with health and other services to address concerns and make informed choices.” Sport Wales is taking a zero-


tolerance approach to IPED misuse in sport. Brian Davies, Director of Elite Sport at Sport Wales, commented: “These are key issues for us because at the heart of sport is fair competition, where people know their responsibilities and compete clean from performance enhancing drugs. “Education, targeted testing and


sporting bans are all tools that have been used to ensure the integrity of sport. “But it is important that we


understand the challenges being faced in our communities and the pressures of modern society, and we can only do this in partnership. “Now we can make another step


forward and amplify the need for people across Wales to be aware of these issues.” UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) is the


UK’s national anti-doping organisation working across over 50 Olympic, Paralympic, Commonwealth and professional sports to deter and detect doping in sport. Nicole Sapstead, UKAD Chief Executive, said: “UKAD continues to be concerned about the number of young people who are turning to steroids for performance or cosmetic enhancement. Not only is it a serious issue for sport but it is becoming a serious issue for our society and a generation of young people. “Today’s symposium is a critical


part in combatting IPED use in Wales and we welcome the opportunity to collaborate and discuss the issue with a number of partners in Wales. This is a positive step forward in combatting this worrying trend as the use of IPEDs does not fall to one particular agency or organisation to solve. We all play our part in safeguarding the health of our young people.”


Cardiff Met III


0 1


ON SATURDAY (Jan 21),


Carmarthen First XI team hosted Cardiff and Met Thirds. Carmarthen were eager to get a win to stay at the top of Division 2. Cardiff started the game strongly,


and quickly had Carmarthen rattled. Cardiff’s slick passing and quick movement saw Carmarthen lose their shape and allowed gaps to open up. Carmarthen's defence and midfield worked tirelessly to try and stop the Cardiff attack. However, Cardiff’s continual


pressure on the Carmarthen defence resulted in a penalty corner being awarded to the away side. They made no mistakes making it 0-1. This knocked Carmarthen’s


confidence further but they did manage to regroup and some nice passing around the Cardiff defence by forwards Sophie Palmer, Maya Davies and Ffion Church created a few goal scoring opportunities. Unfortunately, Carmarthen were unable to capitalise and went in at


half time 0-1 down. A positive team talk from Catrin


Davies inspired Carmarthen for the second half. Carmarthen looked confident at the beginning of the second half with good interlinking play from the defence and midfield through to the forwards. Carmarthen won a couple of


penalty corners but were closely denied a goal by the Cardiff keeper and defence. Carmarthen’s bad luck in the attacking half saw the momentum swing back Cardiff’s way and then settled back into their simple quick passing game. Carmarthen’s defence, Delyth


Rees, Keira Griffiths, Carol Jones and Jackie Marshall in goal, worked well to deny Cardiff any further goals. The game ended 0-1 to Cardiff. Carmarthen will work on their


weaknesses in training and look forward to this weekend's match. Carmarthen and Cardiff and Met


awarded their player of the match to Jackie Marshall for her tremendous effort in goal.


Laugharne too good for Quins


Pembroke Dock Quins Laugharne


0 43


League 3 West A LAUGHARNE proved too


strong for Pembroke Dock Quins on Saturday (Jan 21), as they ran away comfortable winners. The first half was an even affair


as the Quins held Laugharne out and they only let in two tries from Carwyn Jones and Tom Waters, both of which were unconverted. The second half was much


different to the first as the away side took control and dominated for large periods.


The Quins were unable to keep


Laugharne out and were unable to get on the score sheet. Mike Williams, Tom Davies, Rhys


Thomas and Owain Thomas all scored tries for the visitors as they secured a bonus point. Thomas converted his own try


while Ross Michael added the extras on three more occasions to seal an impressive 43-0 victory. On Saturday (Jan 28), the Quins


will look to bounce back when they take on bottom side St Davids. On the same day, Laugharne will


be looking to build on their big win as they travel to Neyland.


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