Clean Sport Higher Education Partnership
Universities and clean sport
Higher Education plays a key role in supporting clean sport. Many talented and performance level athletes' study at universities and specialist colleges as they work towards competing at elite level. Most of the coaches, medics and other support staff who work in sport also come from a higher education background.
Clean Sport Higher Education Partnership
Split by regions and home nations in order to enhance collaboration, the Clean Sport Higher Education Partnership (the Partnership) is designed to support the Higher Education (HE sector) to further develop clean sport across the UK.
- Embedding clean sport knowledge among elite and recreational university student athletes
- and future Athlete Support Personnel (ASP) through their formal degree programmes.
More than 60 institutions from across the UK have been engaged each academic year since launching in July 2022. The majority of Partner institutions are also engaged with other key stakeholders from across the HE sector, with over 80% of TASS Delivery and Accredited Sites signed-up as well as more than 3/4 of the BUCS top 50. From an academic perspective, more than half of BASES Accredited Institutions are also represented, with some 85+ Clean Sport Leads (CSLs) engaged across the Partnership from sporting and academic backgrounds.
The Partnership is designed for British institutions including universities or sports colleges with degree level qualifications, particularly institutions who are included within the British Universities and Colleges Sports (BUCS) network.
Becoming a Partner
Due to the success of the Partnership to date, we have paused applications for any new institutions at this time; this will be reviewed at various intervals throughout the academic year. This decision allows us to focus resources on facilitating the best possible opportunities for those already engaged in the Partnership.
Achieving and maintaining Partner status
Partnership is free and there are a number of actions that each institution must undertake to achieve and maintain their Partner status.
This person will be the nominated contact for the institution and have overall responsibility for maintaining your Partner status within this scheme.
You will be required to contribute to meetings each semester, sharing best practice and collaborating with other Partners.
The institution will be required to develop and deliver a Clean Sport Implementation Plan setting out what they will look to achieve based on the resources they have available. The plan will look to build on what is already in place and evolve throughout the year. Support and feedback will take place via the regional networks and from UKAD's National Trainers. A sample of implementation plans will be selected for review annually.
Each institution will be required to complete a data submission in May each year. Institutions will be required to submit relevant data which will allow UKAD to monitor and evaluate the impact of the Clean Sport Higher Education Partnership. The data will also improve our decision-making process and provide more of an insight into the challenges facing different regions. The case study showcases your clean sport highlight from the academic year.
Before July of each year the Clean Sport Education Partners will need to reapply to retain their status. This will include re-confirming your Clean Sport Lead and information, as well as continued engagement within the regions or home nations. Institutions will also need to have demonstrated progress against their Clean Sport Implementation Plan and submit this with their data and case study.
Further information relating to universities and colleges
You may also find the following areas of interest:
- UKAD's research priorities
- UKAD's 100% me athlete education and information programme
- information for athletes on a Talent Pathway or Competing Nationally
- and eLearning on the Clean Sport Hub.