DURING the October 2015 series of Junior Athletes Anti-Doping Education Workshops, the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) introduced a new component focused on values-based education.

This was incorporated in the programme to allow participants to learn about the values of sport and the importance of being guided by moral principles throughout their sporting careers.

JADCO concluded the 2015 series of Junior Athletes Anti-Doping Education Workshops at the Cardiff Hotel and Spa in Runaway Bay, St Ann, on Wednesday. Participants at the workshop responded well to the introduction of this component to the programme.

Speaking at the workshop, Shanniele McLeod, a student athlete at Ferncourt High School, conveyed her agreement with the addition of this component. “This is essential for us as student athletes, as it will help us to display good sportsmanship and improve communication with each other. Ethics is also very important as it will help us to realise how our behaviour can influence sport.”

Also speaking at the workshop, Antoneil Brown, a teacher at Steer Town Academy, indicated that having an ethical framework is important for junior athletes, as it will help them to understand the value of fair play and hard work. “It teaches them values and helps them to understand that they must follow rules because it will set them on the right path. It feels much better when you follow the rules and you win knowing that you did so fairly.”

Workshops were also held at the Jamaica Conference Centre (JCC) in Kingston on Wednesday, October 7, Golf View Hotel in Manchester on Wednesday, October 14, and the Wexford Hotel in St James on Wednesday, October 21.

The workshops also included presentations on the functions and responsibilities of JADCO, the doping control process and prohibited substances and methods. Medical practitioners, Dr Paula Dawson, Dr Kiri-An Bridgewater, Dr Lincoln Cox and Dr Tanya Hamilton delivered presentations on prohibited substances and methods.

The commission also used the workshops to introduce the JADCO mascot, Leo, the dope patrol officer, to participants. Leo was designed by Ardenne High School student Adjaynae Billings, the winner of the 2014 JADCO Mascot Competition.