The Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) has successfully concluded its 2026 Junior Athletes Anti-Doping Education Workshops, engaging students, teachers, coaches, and athlete support personnel from high schools across Jamaica through activities designed to promote clean sport and strengthen knowledge of anti-doping rules.
Held across four regions during October, the workshops were conducted under the theme “Play True, Stay Clean, Win Right” and reached schools in all 14 parishes. The workshops provided participants with opportunities to increase their understanding of anti-doping principles, learn about JADCO’s resources and reinforce the importance of competing fairly and responsibly.
Region 1, which covered schools in Kingston and St. Andrew, St. Thomas and St. Catherine, recorded the largest turnout, with more than 300 students, teachers and athlete support personnel participating in the workshop in Kingston.
Region 2, held in Manchester, targeted schools in Manchester, Clarendon and St. Elizabeth.
The Region 3 workshop in Montego Bay brought together participants from schools in Hanover, Westmoreland, St. James and sections of Trelawny, while Region 4 engaged representatives from schools in St. Ann, Portland, St. Mary and sections of Trelawny.
Regions 2, 3 and 4 saw more than 100 students, teachers and athlete support personnel attending each workshop.
A major highlight of this year’s workshops was the inaugural JADCO Quiz Competition, which challenged students to demonstrate their knowledge of anti-doping rules, JADCO’s educational resources and appropriate responses to practical scenarios involving clean sport.
The competition added an exciting and interactive dimension to the workshops while encouraging students to take a more active role in their anti-doping education.
The top three schools in each region received cash prizes of $50,000 for first place, $30,000 for second place, and $20,000 for third place.
The results were as follows:
Region 1 – Kingston
- First place: Kingston College
- Second place: St. Hugh’s High School for Girls
- Third place: St. Jago High School
Region 2 – Manchester
- First place: DeCarteret College
- Second place: Roger Clarke High School
- Third place: Bishop Gibson High School for Girls
Region 3 – Montego Bay
- First place: Montego Bay High School for Girls
- Second place: Cornwall College
- Third place: Herbert Morrison Technical High School
Region 4 – Runaway Bay
- First place: Wycliffe Martin High School
- Second place: Marymount High School
- Third place: York Castle High School
The four regional first-place winners will advance to a national playoff, where they will compete for the title of JADCO National Quiz Competition champion.
Executive Director of JADCO, Mrs. June Spence Jarrett, expressed satisfaction with the overall success of the workshops and the enthusiastic participation of the students and their support personnel.
She also welcomed the introduction of the quiz competition, noting its potential to make anti-doping education more engaging and to encourage students to apply what they learn.
Mrs. Spence Jarrett said the strong response to the inaugural competition was particularly encouraging, as it demonstrated the value of incorporating interactive learning activities into JADCO’s education programmes. “I am very pleased with the students’ participation, and I congratulate the schools that placed in the regional competitions. I also want to acknowledge the efforts of all the teams that participated.”
Looking ahead, Mrs. Spence Jarrett indicated that JADCO intends to build on the success of the quiz competition by introducing a debate competition in 2027. “The debate competition will provide students with another platform to explore anti-doping issues, strengthen their research and public-speaking skills, and develop a deeper appreciation for the principles of fair play, integrity and personal responsibility in sport,” noted Spence Jarrett.
The Executive Director also encouraged students, teachers, coaches and other athlete support personnel to continue using the knowledge and resources gained through the workshops to promote clean sport within their schools and sporting communities.
Through its Junior Athletes Anti-Doping Education Workshops, JADCO continues to advance its commitment to educating and empowering Jamaica’s young athletes and those who support them, helping to foster a sporting environment in which fairness, integrity and respect remain central to athletic achievement.
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