UKAD to Deliver Education at 2017 School Games
For the eleventh consecutive year, UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) will deliver its values-based education programme, 100% me, at the 2017 School Games at Loughborough University from 31 August to 3 September.
Over 1,600 school-age athletes from across the United Kingdom will compete across twelve sports, seven of which include disability disciplines, at this year’s School Games, which is supported by Sport England and delivered by the Youth Sport Trust.
This major multi-sport event showcases the UK’s next generation of sporting talent and provides UKAD with the perfect platform to engage with young athletes. UKAD’s 100% me education programme celebrates the values of clean, fair competition whilst delivering essential anti-doping advice, guidance and information.
Nicole Sapstead, UKAD’s Chief Executive, said:
“Over the last eleven years the School Games has played a major part in our prevention strategy in educating our young and talented athletes. It is an excellent opportunity for us to educate the UK’s next generation of sports stars, their support personnel and families to help them understand their anti-doping rights and responsibilities, and the values of clean sport. This is a vital stage in their sporting careers, and we are proud to be supporting their journey as they progress into the next stage of the sporting pathway.
“Naturally, we are delighted to be involved again with this year’s School Games and to be working with our partner, Youth Sports Trust to ensure that this year’s top young athletes have all the necessary tools to train and compete clean throughout their careers.”
Alison Oliver, Chief Executive of the Youth Sport Trust, said:
“We want the next generation of British athletes to represent the very best of sport and compete with integrity and honour. The School Games has a duty of care to equip Britain’s brightest and best talent with knowledge, insight and the right values they will need in the future.
“Whether it’s living in the athletes village alongside competitors from a range of sports, understanding the crucial importance of their accreditation, gaining knowledge about anti doping, or debriefing their performances with retired international athlete mentors, the Youth Sport Trust’s Athlete Experience Programme provides a unique learning opportunity which prepares athletes for their first major multi-sport event such as the Commonwealth, Olympic or Paralympic Games.”
Over the last 11 years of delivery at the School Games, 100% me has interacted with over 16,500 athletes – promoting the values of hard work, determination and commitment as the key to success, whilst highlighting the ways in which athletes can protect everyone’s right to compete in clean sport.
This year the 100% me education programme will be delivered by UKAD accredited National Trainers across the four days and for the first time, an education workshop will be delivered specifically for parents so they have the capability to support their children in meeting their anti-doping responsibilities. Further support will be available for athletes, support personnel and spectators at outreach stands situated in both the Chill-Out Zone and Spectator Zone as well as several roaming road shows at the various sports venues.
Athletes will have the opportunity to learn about the importance of upholding sporting values as well as key areas of anti-doping such as checking medications, the risks associated with supplement use and how they can manage these and importantly the anti-doping rules, as they attempt to ‘be clean and stay clean’ throughout their careers.
This year, and in past years, the 100% me education programme at the School Games has also supported a host of alumni including Olympic champions Adam Peaty (swimming) and Georgie Twigg (hockey) and double Olympic champion Max Whitlock (gymnastics). International athletes Alex Danson (hockey) and Charlotte Edwards (cricket) will be holding masterclasses in their respective sports and Maggie Alphonsi (rugby) and Alex Danson will be opening the School Games.