School Children Get Set for Clean Sport in National Clean Sport Week

UK Anti-Doping's (UKAD) Chief Executive Nicole Sapstead and double Paralympic gold medallist Graham Edmunds today joined school children to highlight the importance of values-based education in protecting the spirit of sport, as part of National Clean Sport Week.

Nicole and Graham took part in a Get Set for the Spirit of Sport lesson at Park House School in Newbury, joining Year 8 pupils from the Berkshire school in exploring fair play and the benefits of clean sport.

Get Set for the Spirit of Sport is a free values-based education programme for primary and secondary
schools, which has been developed by UKAD in partnership with the British Olympic Association and the British Paralympic Association. Aimed at children aged 10-14, since its launch on 2015 Get Set for the Spirit of Sport has been downloaded by 7,000 teachers across the country, reaching over 200,000 school children.

Nicole Sapstead said: "I've had a fantastic day at Park House School. It has been brilliant to talk to the children about their passion for clean sport. Sport is such a wonderful thing and has the power to really inspire and support the development of our young people. Through the Get Set for the Spirit of Sport programme, we are using the Olympic and Paralympic values to teach children how to make the right choices in sport and in life.

"Prevention of doping through education is absolutely critical to protecting clean sport. Ensuring athletes at all levels of sport can make informed decisions throughout their careers is fundamental to a comprehensive anti-doping programme. We prioritise face-to-face education over e-learning for athletes and young people. Our programme is recognised around the world as a gold standard of prevention.”

Double Paralympic gold medallist Graham Edmunds said "Programmes like Get Set for the Spirit of Sport are really important, as teaching children about the Olympic and Paralympic values can form firm building blocks for the rest of their lives. I love sport and it is fantastic to see the next generation learning about fair play as it will help them take part in sport in the right way.”

Park House School Headmaster Derek Peaple said "I am delighted that Nicole and Graham joined us today. We have been running a number of activities this week as part of National Clean Sport Week, including a number of debates on doping in sport. The children have really engaged with the activity. As a school with strong values, the Get Set for the Spirit of Sport programme is really important to our teaching and supports our ethos across the school.”

National Clean Sport Week runs from 10 – 17 July and is highlighting what UKAD, national governing bodies of sport, athletes and partners are doing to protect clean sport.

For further information about Get Set Spirit of Sport and to download free resources visit Get Set.