Hunslet Hawks: Hawks prop Darby banned from all sport for four years after admitting using steroids

A rugby league player has been given a four-year ban after testing positive for three anabolic steroids.
Nathan DarbyNathan Darby
Nathan Darby

Nathan Darby, 21, a prop forward from Leeds who is on the books of Kingstone Press League 1 club Hunslet, tested positive for the presence of nandrolone, oxandrolone and trenbolone following an out-of-competition test in January.

Darby, who admitted the offence, has been banned by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) from all sport until February 11, 2020.

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UKAD chief executive Nicole Sapstead said: “It is sad to see yet another case where a young person’s sporting career is ruined by their conscious decision to use steroids.

“We are seeing a worrying and increasing trend in young men turning to steroids in their pursuit of becoming bigger, faster and stronger, be it for performance-enhancing reasons or in their pursuit of the ‘body beautiful’.

“What these young men do not realise is that these substances are incredibly dangerous and linked to serious side-effects including heart problems, aggression and mental health issues.

“A more worrying matter is that these substances are frequently being bought through the internet and frequently the buyer believes they are coming from legitimate websites or legitimate sources.

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“We continue to work closely with law enforcement partners to uncover illegal labs where these substances are made by amateur chemists, where conditions are unhygienic.

“We encourage anyone with information about steroid use to talk to us. Help us to protect your sport, your friends or even members of your family by speaking to us in confidence via reportdoping.com.”

Darby joined the Hawks from Featherstone two years ago following a successful pre-season trial but did not make any first-team appearances.