WADA launches new e-learning course for coaches of recreational athletes

The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) is pleased to announce the launch of a new e-learning course, ADEL for Coaches of Recreational Athletes, now available on the Agency’s Anti-Doping Education and Learning (ADEL) platform in English, French and Spanish. The course provides essential, tailored anti-doping education for coaches who work with athletes competing at the recreational level. 

The course fills a crucial gap in anti-doping education, addressing the often-overlooked reality that many recreational athletes are subject to anti-doping rules, even though they are competing for fun, fitness, or local-level competition rather than on the national or international stage. By clearly outlining these rules, the course ensures coaches are equipped to protect their athletes and maintain the integrity of their sport environments. Specifically, participants taking this new course will learn to: 

• share, demonstrate, reinforce, and promote the values of clean sport with their athletes; 
• integrate clean sport principles into their daily coaching practice; and 
• recognize when athletes are vulnerable, identify risk factors, and know how to help them overcome challenging moments in sport. 

Amanda Hudson, WADA’s Director of Education, said: “The anti-doping spotlight tends to be on national and international level athletes, but it is critical to ensure our work covers all athletes that are subject to anti-doping rules, regardless of their level. Many recreational athletes are subject to these rules, and so we collectively have a duty to them and to their support personnel to enable anti-doping education that targets this demographic. WADA is proud to publish this new ADEL course for coaches of recreational athletes. It supports the anti-doping community in their efforts to educate coaches, empowering them to help keep their athletes safe, healthy and maintaining a positive experience in sport.” 

WADA strongly recommends the completion of this course for coaches and wider support personnel in recreational sport settings and encourages all Anti-Doping Organizations to use these tools to expand the reach of their education programs to those who influence athletes and their behavior. A certificate of completion is provided to those who achieve a score of 80 percent or higher.