Understanding and influencing global coach anti-doping education through the development of an International Framework

The World Anti-Doping Code (2015) states that signatories, such as National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs) and International Federations (IFs), have a responsibility to promote anti-doping education to key stakeholders, including coaches. To fulfil this expectation, a number of sporting and anti-doping organisations have developed and implemented anti-doping education programs for coaches. However, there are no central public records of the programs being delivered. Therefore, very little is known about the global landscape of coach anti-doping education, including the existence and effectiveness of programs across different nations and sports. This program of research addresses the need to collate and appraise current practice in educating coaches on anti-doping, in order to examine compliance and operationalisation of anti-doping policy pertaining to education and information programs. More importantly, the critical synthesis it provides can be used to inform the development and refinement of coach-based interventions.

We are conducting a comprehensive audit and critical appraisal of current global coach anti-doping education, as well as undertaking systematic consultations with coaches, education providers and policy makers worldwide. This work is pivotal to understanding what factors increase the reach and impact of anti-doping programs with coaching populations. It ensures that current provision is understood before intervention development and evaluation studies are undertaken. Furthermore, the research is timely given the World Anti-Doping Agency’s (WADA) development of an International Standard for Education (ISE). To this end, the project will produce ‘ready to use’ resources that WADA can make available to national and international sporting, anti-doping and coaching organisations to inform their provision.