Teamwork in clean sport is the theme of this year’s Clean Sport Week, the annual awareness initiative run by UK Anti-Doping (UKAD).
The Irish FA, which will once again be supporting the week-long drive, is continuing to make clubs and players in Northern Ireland aware of the need for clean sport.
UKAD, the organisation responsible for protecting sport in the UK from doping, champions clean sport, education and anti-doping initiatives.
During Clean Sport Week (22-26 May) it will be emphasising that it takes a team to keep sport clean.
UKAD says that while athletes have the responsibility of strict liability, that they alone are responsible for everything that goes into their bodies, the team around them also has a collective responsibility.
It stresses that athlete support personnel, such as coaches, doctors, physiotherapists, parents and national governing bodies, as well as sports councils have a responsibility to create a positive culture that give athletes the confidence to play and win fairly.
As part of Clean Sport Week, UKAD is staging a webinar featuring an expert panel who will be exploring clean sport topics, providing tips and advice on being a team player and working with and supporting athletes.
We are pleased with how receptive clubs have been to the education sessions and their support will be key as we continue to grow the programme to ensure everyone within our clubs and international set-ups are fully educated and up to date on the current trends and dangers within the ever evolving field of anti-doping.
Chris Wright, the Irish FA’s Anti-Doping and Integrity Education Officer, revealed all NIFL teams across the men’s and women’s Premiership and the men’s Championship will have completed anti-doping education by the end of this year.
The association has also appointed anti-doping and integrity ambassadors from international squads (Ali McCann and Caragh Hamilton) and NIFL (Jordan Stewart and Yasmin White) and will be delivering education modules to various international and club squads across the 2023-24 season.
Wright explained: “It has been a really exciting and fast moving first year in my role as Anti-Doping and Integrity Education Officer.
“We are pleased with how receptive clubs have been to the education sessions and their support will be key as we continue to grow the programme to ensure everyone within our clubs and international set-ups are fully educated and up to date on the current trends and dangers within the ever evolving field of anti-doping.
“Thanks must go to UKAD for its continued hard work and support, with Clean Sport Week 2023 the perfect time to showcase both UKAD and our own progression, which includes the launch of a Clean Sport Week video and our new reporting mechanisms.”
Further information on Clean Sport Week and other UKAD anti-doping resources can be found at: www.ukad.org.uk
