The first school to have formally commenced the UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) Accreditation Scheme, Millfield are on their way to joining a select group of universities and colleges with clean sport accredited status in the UK.
Working towards UKAD accredited status adds to the existing sports programme developed over the past 18 months under the Millfield Institute of Sport and Wellbeing, and will ensure that young athletes are proactively educated about clean sport and how healthy lifestyle choices can improve performance.
As part of the programme, Millfield will roll out comprehensive training of staff and coaches through a range of UKAD programmes during this academic year. In addition, with the support of UKAD, staff will run termly workshops for all pupils and boarding houseparents.
Proactive engagement with clean sport values builds on existing practical support for young talented athletes in areas such as nutrition, physiotherapy and strength & conditioning. This sits alongside provision for improving performance through healthy lifestyles within the wider Millfield community.
Millfield’s long-term aim is to build up a full team of staff with qualifications to teach and educate others in future years.
David Faulkner, Millfield Director of Sport, said: “We have a duty to educate young people about what is best for their wellbeing and sporting development. At Millfield we are proactive in talking about, and facilitating, a healthy lifestyle for our whole school community.
“This UKAD accreditation will be another step towards increasing that education process and actively involving young people in a dialogue about their lifestyle choices. As educators, we must all take responsibility to give young athletes the tools to make the right choices for their sporting development both now, and as adults.”
Nicole Sapstead, UKAD Chief Executive, said: “Education is a vital part in promoting clean sport and the anti-doping prevention strategy. The UKAD Accreditation Scheme allows us to engage with schools, colleges and universities ensuring that athletes receive a high-level of education from early on in their sporting careers.
“I would like to congratulate Millfield on becoming the first school in the UK to collaborate with UKAD, showing their commitment to clean sport, by supporting their athletes and staff throughout their sporting career so they can make the right choices and compete clean.”
