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30 October 2026
The University of Queensland (UQ) in Brisbane, Australia, has hosted the ITA Doping Control Officer (DCO) Foundation Training Program for the first time.
Over three days, 19 participants from Australia, China, Japan, Kenya, New Zealand and South Korea took part in the training, delivered by ITA trainers Richard Driscoll and Pernille Hansen.
The program combines theoretical learning with hands-on technical and procedural training, providing participants with the knowledge and practical skills required to work as Doping Control Officers. Participants complete an online learning component before attending an intensive three-day training event, with skills evaluation and practical assessment forming part of the final day.
The Brisbane edition marked an important milestone in the ITA’s collaboration with UQ, which became the next ITA Academic Centre worldwide, joining the Shanghai University of Sport, which received this designation in 2022.
As an ITA Academic Centre, UQ provides its students, staff, alumni and other eligible participants with access to ITA training and certification programs, helping to prepare the next generation of anti-doping professionals.
Mark Stuart, PhD, Head of ITA Academy, said: “Working with the University of Queensland to deliver this first onsite course has been an important step in bringing our partnership to life. It is a pleasure to welcome the Brisbane graduates into our international community of ITA-trained DCOs, and we look forward to building on this foundation together.”
Professor Bruce Abernethy AM, Executive Director of UQ Games Engagement, said: “Since officially launching our partnership with the ITA in June, we have been delighted by the opportunities it is creating for UQ staff, students and alumni, spanning education and training, research collaboration and student placements.
“Hosting the first DCO Foundation Training Program in Australia and Oceania is an important milestone in our partnership and reinforces UQ’s commitment to supporting clean and fair sport. By working with the ITA to deliver these programs, UQ is helping to strengthen anti-doping knowledge and capability across the region, particularly in the lead-up to major international sporting events in Australia, including the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
The ITA DCO Foundation Training Program is an established part of the ITA Academy’s training portfolio. Launched in 2022, it aims to establish an international benchmark for the professional foundation training of Doping Control Officers and equip graduates with the professional, procedural and regulatory knowledge required to deliver doping control and testing.
Since its launch, 350 participants representing over 70 nationalities have successfully completed the program. The 19 Brisbane graduates now take their place within this growing international community of trained DCOs.
The first Oceania edition represents another step in expanding the international reach of the program. Its delivery through the University of Queensland also puts the role of the ITA Academic Centre into practice, bringing ITA training and certification opportunities to participants in Australia and the wider region.
