This project seeks to address these various issues through a series of key actions:
Key Action 1:
Understand the problem/evaluate the current situation (investigation) in the EuropeanLocal/grassroots football clubs
- What is actually known about the prevalence of doping practices in football,
- What is currently being done and what program/material/research we have already and what is/are demonstrably an effective intervention(s) within the European Union which could be more widely replicated.
- What do we need?
Key Action 2:
Creation of value-based education materials (based on Key Action 1)
The materials will be an adaptation of the already existing materials elaborated in many years of commitment against doping by EuropeActive, UEFA and Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (they have faced doping issues through different approaches) for football by combining it with the WADA new Information/Education Guidelines to Prevent Doping in Sport.
Key Action 3:
Creation of guidelines for “anti-doping coaches” who act like ambassador in the fight against doping.
The anti-doping coaches will be the project ambassador in the local clubs / football school to disseminate the educational materials. Moreover they will represent the reference point for National Anti-Doping Organisations (NADOs) and football associations also after the duration of the project to keep raising awareness about doping.
Key Action 4:
Anti-Doping Code of Conduct for Amateur Grassroots Football
The code represents a new call for accountability for the amateur grassroots football sector on doping. It is voluntary but aims to promote a standardised approach across Europe that should be used by the football clubs, coaches and players.
The proposed project is innovative as it:
- focuses on specific sport that is very popular in Europe,
- will be the first project to develop material according to the international anti-doping standards,
will develop educational material easily implemented by football associations, NADOs and other interested stakeholders, and d) the produced material will be tested for its effectiveness in educating grassroot level clubs and footballers about doping.