NT Sports Clubs Hit The Booze In The Best Way, Australia

Main Category: Alcohol / Addiction / Illegal Drugs
Also Included In: Sports Medicine / Fitness
Article Date: 05 May 2010 - 5:00 PDT

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NT: A national program aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm in sports clubs is this week being rolled out across Central Australia.

"Our Good Sports program is about working with community sporting clubs to reduce alcohol related harm - whether they have a liquor license or not - and about bringing back families to community sport" said John Rogerson CEO Australian Drug Foundation.

"Alcohol remains one of the major causes of preventable death and illness in the Territory. With growing evidence of a link between risky drinking and sports clubs, we know that programs like Good Sports go a long way to protecting the community from the harms around alcohol, as well as helping to create enjoyable places for families and young people to socialise," said Mr Rogerson.

"Sports clubs are the hub of most Australian communities and provide a better way to change the way people think about drinking," said Mr Rogerson.

Good Sports is a free program run by the Australian Drug Foundation that has proven successful in bringing families back to sport across regional, rural and metropolitan communities. The program includes strategies such as

_ addressing liquor licensing laws through responsible service of alcohol (RSA) courses,
_ developing safe transport strategies for members,
_ influencing young players behaviour,
_ implementing smoke-free clubrooms and
_ removing the focus on alcohol with alternative fundraising prizes.

The number of Good Sports clubs has grown by thirty percent in the last year with 3500 local sporting clubs around the nation currently working to develop safer and healthier communities through the responsible management of alcohol.

Sue Earle, Northern Territory Manager - will be meeting with sporting clubs interested in knowing more about the program. Visit http://www.goodsports.com.au

Celebrating 50 years of service to the community, the Australian Drug Foundation is Australia's leading body committed to preventing alcohol and other drug problems in communities around the nation.

The Foundation reaches more than a million Australians through community sporting clubs and also works with a wide range of Australians in governments, workplaces, health care settings and schools, offering educational information and campaigning for healthy and strong communities.

Source
Australian Drug Foundation

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