AFL Victoria partners with Good Sports

AFL Victoria has formed a partnership with the Good Sports program to further support and encourage community football clubs to manage alcohol responsibly and promote safe drinking cultures.

A poll conducted for the program asked more than 1000 Australian mums and dads for their opinions on alcohol and sport:

• 87% of parents say they would be more likely to choose a sports club or code for their child if it manages alcohol responsibly.

• 87% believe that the drinking behaviour of sportspeople has an influence on young people.

• 93% agree that professional sporting organisations have a responsibility to create a sporting culture where alcohol is managed responsibly.

These statistics may well be no surprise to football clubs across Victoria with currently 85% signed-up to the Good Sports program.

AFL Victoria Cultural Strategy Manager John Strachan said that through the new partnership, he hopes to soon see all community football clubs taking the Good Sports challenge.

Strachan stated “we see the Good Sports program as a very important part of the AFL Victoria Alcohol Charter.

“It supports the principles of the Charter in encouraging clubs to prioritise the responsible serving and consumption of alcohol.”

Good Sports Victorian State Manager Rod Glenn-Smith, said that Good Sports was helping to promote positive messages and examples around alcohol, stating “we are pleased to have formalised an agreement with AFL Victoria, cementing our shared ambition to see community football clubs throughout the state manage alcohol responsibly for the benefit of all players, spectators and the wider community.

“With alcohol a leading cause of preventable illness and death in Australia, breaking the link between binge drinking and sport has never been more important.”

The partnership will see arrangements to encourage more football clubs to the Good Sports program, assist clubs already on board to improve practices, and deliver regular Club Liquor Licensing Seminars.

AFL Victoria General Manager Grant Williams said it is an opportunity to further promote the Good Sports program and see more clubs become involved.

“Working with our football club network across Victoria, we now have an opportunity through this agreement to encourage all clubs to become a part of the program, and ensure responsible serving and consumption of alcohol continues to be a key focus.”

30th June 2014 - HOCKEY QUEENSLAND JOINS WITH GOOD SPORTS TO PROMOTE HEALTHY FOOD AND DRINK CONSUMPTION

18th December 2012 - AFL VICTORIA RECORDS PARTICIPATION RISE THROUGH 2012