Executive Director of the Regional Anti Doping Agency, Mrs Chaderton-Shaw felt she got her educational message across to the students and teachers at Elmore Stoutt High School with an interactive presentation. "When they saw images or photographs of certain athletes like Lance, Ben Johnson, Marion Jones and others they clued in right away. I got the impression my message resonated with them." Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Ephraim Penn, who heads the BVI Anti-Doping Commission, thanks all those who had assisted over the application process including the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports, the BVI National Commission for UNESCO, the Governor's office and Thornton Smith, legal counsel for the BVI Olympic Committee. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Asst. Director of Youth Affairs and Sports Paul Hewlett, speaking on behalf of the Minister Responsible for Sports Hon. Myron V. Walwyn, noted "in honouring the Virgin Islands commitment to Anti- Doping the BVIOC in conjunction with the VI Govt. and WADA has developed the VI Anti-Doping Policy. Photo: Charlie E. Jackson/VINO

Working closely with the BVI Olympic Committee (BVIOC) and the Anti-Doping Commission here, she made a powerful presentation at the Elmore Stout High School on Thursday January 24 and was happy with the feedback and interaction that took place. ”I love to have opportunities to talk to young people,” she commented. “Most young people think they are immune, immortal and not vulnerable. I tried to make it as interactive as possible and when they saw images or photographs of certain athletes like Lance [Armstrong], Ben Johnson, Marion Jones and others they clued in right away. I got the impression my message resonated with them.”

Further visits had taken place with UNESCO, the Ministry of Education and Culture, the Department of Youth Affairs and Sports, the majority of the Territory's sports federations and athletes and coaches at the Tahesia Harrigan-Scott Classic Track Meet on Friday January 25, 2013.

In concluding of her visit, Chaderton-Shaw implored Ephraim Penn, the President of the BVI Olympic Committee, and his committee along with the Anti-Doping Commission, to work hard to ensure the momentum is continued after her visit. “I keep saying to my friend Mr. Penn and Mr. Farrington the momentum has to be sustained, my goal is for each island to have a plan of action that includes consistent education and in and out of competition testing.”

Chaderton–Shaw also congratulated the VI and said the Territory should be very proud that the first 5 random doping tests that were conducted across 3 sports- tennis, athletics and swimming last year all came back negative.

Ephraim Penn had earlier made his opening remarks to the assembled audience at Maria’s By the Sea commenting on the significance of the VI’s involvement in and compliance of the efforts of RADO to educate the Territory's athletes about Anti-Doping.

In October 2012, the BVI Anti-Doping Commission conducted its first round of testing, the anti-doping testing regime which, under Article 12 of the UNESCO Convention includes no-advance notice, out-of-competition testing. 

The VI joined RADO, which is affiliated to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), in February 2012 to become the 15^th member of the Body, which was formed in 2006.

The four key entities that were critical in securing the VI’s position as a signatory nation compliant with the World Anti-Doping Code were the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports, the BVI National Commission for UNESCO, the Governor’s office and Thornton Smith, legal counsel for the BVI Olympic Committee.

“I will like to thank all of them again publicly for their efforts. These offices remain important in achieving our goals and we will continue to work together on finalizing and implementing a National Ant-Doping Policy,“ Stated Penn who heads up the BVI’s Anti-Doping Commission.

Paul Hewlett, Assistant Director of Youth Affairs and Sports, speaking on behalf of the Minister Responsible for Sports, Myron Walwyn , noted “in honouring the Virgin Islands commitment to Anti- Doping, the BVIOC in conjunction with the VI Govt. and WADA, has developed the VI Anti-Doping Policy and  the VI National Doping rules for Sports Organisation’s and Participants. The Government has also signed a memorandum of understanding and agreement to show the commitment which ensures the highest level of integrity for one and all. Integrity means everything to all of us.”

Through Mr. Hewlett, the Minister wanted to stress the importance “that youngsters understand this can affect everything we do. It is important that everyone understands what they can and can’t do and the implications of using banned substances to enhance performance. Every child must understand how important it is.”

In the lead up to London 2012, The BVIOC worked with the Governor’s Office, the BVI National Commission for UNESCO and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports, to secure Government’s acceptance of its obligations to harmonize anti-doping commitments for non-professional sports at the international level and create a systematic approach to anti-doping as required by the International Convention Against Doping in Sport (the UNESCO Convention) and to sign the UNESCO Convention.