600 sports clubs across South Australia pledge to reduce binge drinking

Community sports clubs across South Australia have committed to breaking the link between alcohol and sport with 600 clubs now accredited as part of the Australian Drug Foundation's Good Sports program.

Good Sports works in communities to make sports clubs safe and healthy. Through the program, clubs learn about managing alcohol responsibly to reduce binge drinking and become more family-friendly.

The organisation is Australia's largest preventive health program for the community sporting sector, with over 6,400 clubs involved nationally.

In South Australia, the Port Augusta Tennis Association is the 600th club to be accredited, with the program now reaching more than 171,000 South Australians.

Club President Garry Kolic said that Good Sports was helping to promote positive messages and examples around alcohol – and while their club members tend to drink responsibly, it's good for the club to be prepared, especially when hosting other clubs from across the region.

Kolic explains "it's the risk management and duty of care information that is the most beneficial.

"It's important to have a responsible person monitoring the sale of alcohol … we sell water at discount rates as well as other carbonated drinks."

Good Sports State Manager SA Scott Edgecombe adds that with alcohol a leading cause of preventable illness and death in Australia, breaking the link between alcohol and sport has never been more important.

Edgecombe continued "Australians love their sport, and with 25% of us regularly involved in community sport it's important for clubs to set a good example.

"Alcohol has been a means of both celebrating wins and commiserating losses, and for too long now sport and binge drinking have been closely linked.

"By joining Good Sports and achieving accreditation, clubs like Port Augusta right across the state are showing the wider community the importance they place on the health and wellbeing of their players and members."

For more information about Good Sports visit www.goodsports.com.au or on social media at Facebook.com/GoodSportsClubs

4th March 2014 - 100 NT SPORTS CLUBS COMMIT TO CHANGE WITH GOOD SPORTS