UKAD launches new education programme ‘Spirit of Sport’ for primary school children in partnership with Get Set

UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) has today launched its new values-based education programme ‘Spirit of Sport’ for primary school children alongside Get Set, the British Olympic Association and British Paralympic Association’s youth engagement programme.

The creation of the programme, targeted at 7-to-11-year-olds, follows last year’s launch of UKAD’s ambitious 2018-2022 Strategic Plan, which outlines expanding prevention activity to reach younger age groups, including promoting anti-doping work with schools.

Spirit of Sport is the latest expansion of UKAD and Get Set’s programme which also features the updated ‘Spirit of Sport in Competition’ (formally known as Get Set for the Spirit of sport) for students aged 11-14, designed for delivery in PE lessons.

UKAD Head of Education, Amanda Hudson, said: “We are delighted to launch the new Spirit of Sport values-based education programme targeted at a new, younger age group, and our new-look Spirit of Sport in Competition programme aimed at school-aged children who are showing an interest in sport and competition.

“It’s clear we have a vital role to play in supporting the development of sporting values in young people enabling them to enjoy sport and benefit from it. Our free, Spirit of Sport resources for teachers are a fantastic way to help develop good moral character, useful both on and off the field of play.

“These resources are a great addition to our education programme and our commitment to protect clean sport.”

The launch of Spirit of Sport follows a recommendation in the 2018 Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport (DCMS) Tailored Review of UKAD, which identified the introduction of a values-based programme focusing on ‘healthy lifestyle’ be developed to reach young people via the curriculum and early sports pathways.

The programme features a resource suite, developed with the help of teachers, and aims to support all students’ personal development – whether encouraging respect and positive attitudes in everyday life, or installing the value of fair play at the beginning of a young athlete’s journey. The resources also include activities for young people to complete at home with family and/or guardians.

The Spirit of Sport resources are cross-curricular, accessible and adaptable, with downloadable lesson plans, activity sheets, certificates, take-home worksheets and active learning tasks centred around six key themes – determination and courage, equality, inspiration, friendship, respect and fair play.