Former Rugby Union athlete Christian Day has been selected to join the UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) Athlete Commission.
Joining the Commission for a three-year term, the 38-year-old from Manchester will be a part of a cohort of British athletes who advocate for clean sport. The Athlete Commission discusses, and is consulted on, UKAD policies, wider issues in clean sport, and ensures that the athlete perspective is included at the heart of anti-doping in the UK.

UKAD is responsible for ensuring sports bodies and athletes in the UK are compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code through implementation and management of the UK National Anti-Doping Policy, as well as the 2021 UK Anti-Doping Rules. It also delivers clean sport education to athletes and support personnel across the country.

Christian began his impressive career with the Sale Shark team that won their first ever Premiership title in the 2005/6 season. He went on to make 226 appearances for the Northampton Saints from 2008 where he also won a plethora of silverware, including two European Challenge Cups and the Aviva Premiership title, until he retired in 2018.

In 2021 Christian was inducted into the Premiership Hall of Fame, which celebrated his successful 17-year long career. The former Rugby Union star also made an appearance on the popular BBC TV cooking show MasterChef in 2020, progressing to the final seven before being eliminated.

Christian, who is currently the Head of Player Affairs for The Rugby Players Association, said: “It's a huge honour to be appointed to the UKAD Athlete Commission and to be able to represent English Rugby Union in doing so. The very essence of sport is based upon fair competition. I’m looking forward to contributing to the work of UKAD in achieving this, whilst also representing the opinions of current day athletes and striving to improve their welfare provision.”
Christian joins the Commission along with fellow newcomer Jude Hamer from Wheelchair Basketball.

Former GB rower and Chair of the UKAD Athlete Commission, Sarah Winckless MBE, added: “We are delighted to welcome Christian and Jude to the Athlete Commission.

They have both made incredible contributions to their sports in a variety of ways and are also fantastic representatives for clean sport. I look forward to hearing about their experiences to date and to gaining their expertise in this vital area within the sporting industry.”