UKAD has signed a new MoU with CIMSPA ©Getty Images

UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) in a bid to keep sport in he United Kingdom drug-free.

As COVID-19 restrictions ease, venues begin to open and people resume sport, the two bodies are keen to ensure education pathways and high professional standards will foster an understanding of the latest anti-doping rules.

CIMSPA is self-described as "the professional development body for the UK’s sport and physical activity sector".

The MoU will centre on the development of professional standards for people engaged in anti-doping work, with the creation of an anti-doping liaison officer professional standard being the eventual ambition.

"Research tells us that those around the athlete play a vital role in the protection of clean sport," said Emily Robinson, interim chief executive of UKAD.

"This is a great initiative to support coaches and trainers through career pathways, working at all levels to help keep sport clean.

"From professionals supporting amateur gym workouts right through to those coaching elite athletes, our partnership will support sporting integrity across all endeavours.

"CIMSPA will work to educate its partners and members on how anti-doping challenges exist at all levels of UK sport and physical activity.

"We are grateful to CIMSPA for their support to our education efforts and commitment to help us all protect clean sport."

The MoU will centre on the development of professional standards for people engaged in anti-doping work ©Getty Images
The MoU will centre on the development of professional standards for people engaged in anti-doping work ©Getty Images

UKAD announced the new agreement to coincide with the Clean Sport Forum, its annual flagship conference.

"I’m very pleased that CIMSPA is moving forwards in partnership with UKAD - we both have a big role to play in protecting a culture of clean sport throughout our sector," added CIMSPA's head of regulations Colin Huffen. 

"Through this formal partnership we can help drive the development of professional standards for core roles within the sport, fitness and leisure industry.

"We will work with UKAD to integrate their anti-doping knowledge and competencies into relevant standards to ensure that those supporting athletes or young people engaged in sport have the most up to date and verified learning and resources regarding clean sport.

"We will then be able to develop industry recognised training and education programmes to best meet the needs of those working in the industry."