Universities and colleges recognised for ongoing commitment to clean sport
Universities and colleges across the UK have once again shown their dedication to protecting clean sport, through completing UK Anti-Doping’s (UKAD) Clean Sport Accreditation.
UKAD’s Clean Sport Accreditation recognises the positive work of academic institutions in promoting and protecting clean sport, through their culture, policies, practices, research and education.
Hartpury and Bath Universities both received re-accredited Elite Level status, while South Eastern Regional College (SERC) received their first accreditation this year.
Hartpury has held Elite Level status since 2015, when it applied for the first time. Their most recent application continued to display best practice and showed a clear commitment to clean sport.
Director of Elite Sport at Hartpury, Tom Radcliffe, said: “We adopt the UK Anti-Doping and World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) position that cheating, including doping in sport, is fundamentally contrary to the spirit of sport, undermining the otherwise positive impact of sport on society.
“Promoting clean sport underpins all our programmes and services, including through a comprehensive and dedicated education programme for all staff and students. We’re committed to creating future generations of clean athletes, ensuring that all participants understand and practise the values of clean sport.”
The University of Bath were also elite re-accredited. All contracted and Head Coaches employed by Team Bath are ‘Coach Clean’ qualified, while all practitioners and athlete support personnel are accredited advisors.
The University also had seven UKAD educators, delivering anti-doping sessions to more than 300 athletes during 2019. Among the athletes to have received anti-doping support is GB trampolinist Kirsty Way, a silver-medallist at the 2019 World Championships.
The Director of Sport at the University of Bath, Stephen Baddeley, said: “We value our partnership with UKAD, one of the leading anti-doping bodies in the world, and we are particularly proud to be a UKAD accredited site.
“We do all we can to promote an environment that supports clean sport and provides athletes with the information they need to ensure they play clean. That is so important, not only for the health of individual athletes, but the integrity and credibility of sport.”
SERC have become the first college in Northern Ireland to become accredited, for the first time in 2020.
Course Coordinator of the Foundation Degree in Sport, Coaching and Fitness, Phillip McKelvey, said: “This is a tremendous achievement for the College. Not only do the students have a comprehensive understanding of the effects of drug misuse in sport, but their knowledge in turn has a far-reaching positive impact into the community. The Clean Sport programme is an integral part of SERC’s sporting strategy with Clean Sport ethics and values embedded into all our academic programmes and services. Our students involvement in clubs and coaching across the local area means they are in the position to share their knowledge about Clean Sport Education to everyone getting involved in sport.”
Paul Moss, Head of Education at UKAD, added: “I would like to congratulate all the universities and colleges who have been clean sport accredited in 2020. The re-accreditation shows a continued commitment to providing high-quality clean sport education and a clean sport environment for students, athletes and staff.”
Loughborough University and Canterbury Christ Church University also hold an Elite Level clean sport accreditation, and Newcastle University holds an Accredited Status.