British Olympic Association help launch programme to educate children about clean sport

UKAD have launched a values based education programme titled “Get Set for the Spirit of Sport” ©UKAD

A new values-based education programme titled “Get Set for the Spirit of Sport” which will be designed to help 10 to 14-year-olds make the right decisions on and off the field of play has been launched with the help of the British Olympic Association (BOA).

Launched in partnership with UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) and British Paralympic Association (BPA), the programme will provide primary and secondary schools with a series of free resources.

Each resource will aim to support the objectives of the 2015 World Anti-Doping Code and UKAD’s 100% me anti-doping education programme, while linking into the National Curriculum’s areas of study.

“Get Set for the Spirit of Sport is a really exciting initiative for UKAD,” said Nicole Sapstead, UKAD chief executive.

“For the first time we are bringing vital anti-doping education into the school environment, which is critical if we are to continue to protect clean sport.

“UKAD’s role is first and foremost to prevent doping; it is about stopping the problem at source rather than just simply focusing on the end user.

"If we can help just one child make the right choice then we are winning the fight against doping.”

The programme will contain a mixture of classroom based activities and practical ideas for three different age groups, with each category containing six lessons and additional activity sheets for those who cannot take part in physical activities.

The values based programme is aimed at 10 to 14-year-olds ©UK Anti-Doping

Case studies will also attempt to support the support lesson and will challenge young people to consider other people’s behaviour, as well as their own.

UKAD claim Olympic and Paralympic values of respect, friendship, excellence, inspiration, courage, equality and determination will be central to the programme which will encourage youngsters to values into other aspects of their lives, as well as sport.

The launch comes a day after the British Government announced that UKAD would receive an increase in funding of £400,000 ($605,000/€570,000) or seven per cent of its budget.

David Kenworthy, the UKAD chairman, had previously warned that the organisation would be in "jeopardy" if its funding was slashed.

"It's essential our star athletes of tomorrow are educated on the dangers of doping and the value of clean sport,” said Tracey Crouch, Minister for Sport.

“Get Set for the Spirit of Sport is a great way for young people to understand the importance of competing on a level playing field and I would encourage schools across the country to get involved."