Forbes returns 'adverse finding'

JNA vows to support former national captain

An out-of-competition drug test on senior Sunshine Girls player, Simone Forbes - which was carried out late last month - returned an 'Adverse Analytical Finding'.

Given the 'finding', the former team captain now faces the possibility of missing the upcoming England series and this Summer's World Netball Championships in Singapore.

The substance in question is reported to be Clomiphene, a drug listed on the World Anti-Doping Agency's 2011 list of banned substances, under Section Four, 'Hormone Antagonists and Modulators'.

Forbes, 30, will now be required to state her case at an upcoming hearing before the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission.

According to sources, if precedent is anything to go by, a minimum ban of six months is not out of the question.

Clomiphene, also known by its chemical name Clomid, is a common Selective Receptor Modulator that is used quite frequently by steroid users.

While commonly used for this purpose, the substance also has valuable medical purposes as well. It is also commonly prescribed as a means to correct certain fertility issues and is readily available.

surprise

While not in a position to speak freely on the matter, president of the Jamaica Netball Association (JNA), Marva Bernard, expressed surprise at the developments and assured that the association will offer all the necessary support to Forbes and her teammates.

"We really cannot say anything at this point because the process must take its course, but the JNA will make sure that we will support her and provide all the necessary counselling for her and all the other girls," Bernard said.

Forbes, who has represented Jamaica at five different sports, is said to be distraught with the situation, but several attempts to contact her for a comment last night proved futile.

Forbes has been a member of the national netball programme for over 12 years and has represented the country at every age-group level.

She played for the Under-21 team in 1998 before making her senior team debut a year later. She later took over the captaincy of the team following the retirement of Elaine Davis.

As a member of the Sunshine Girls, she won bronze medals at the 2003 and 2007 World Netball Championships and at the Commonwealth Games in 2002.

She also won a silver medal at the inaugural World Netball Series in 2009, followed by another bronze in 2010.