Australian high school students competing at School Sport Australia (SSA) events will receive anti-doping drug awareness sessions next year thanks to a co-operation agreement signed by the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and (SSA).

The agreement outlines a concerted effort by both parties to educate young sportspeople about the presence of prohibited substances in sport and the risks and ramifications associated with their use.

Fundamentally both parties want to inspire young sportspeople to strive for their goals in a clean and fair environment.

“We are happy to be working with an organisation like School Sport Australia so that together we can address drugs in sport from the grassroots up,” said AOC President John Coates.

“While the AOC supports the drug testing resources of WADA and ASADA we feel education is the key to winning the battle against drugs in sport.”

Under the agreement, school students competing at the 19 SSA secondary school events held annually across Australia will participate in the AOC’s Live Clean Play Clean drug awareness program.

The program conveys powerful messages about the harmful effects of performance enhancing drugs, recreational drugs and supplements when used in sport. Australian Olympians, who are committed to the fight against drugs in sport, are on hand to deliver the presentation and interact with the participants.

“Exposing young sportspeople to this type of information lays the foundation for a cleaner and fairer playing field,” said Olympian and presenter Jacqui Cooper.

“It’s special as normally only athletes from State and National Teams are educated in this manner. These young sportspeople will be equipped with the resources to fight the battle against drugs in sport.”

The Co-Operation Agreement can be downloaded here.