Award recognition for Australian Drug Foundation's 'Good Sports' program

The Australian Drug Foundation (ADF) has won a prestigious Hesta Community Sector Award for its flagship community program Good Sports.

Awarded on Monday 25th March 2013 at a gala dinner as part of the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) National Conference in Adelaide, ADF received the Organisation Award for outstanding achievements of an organisation operating in the community sector from a field of more than 100 entries.

Good Sports is Australia's largest preventive health program for the community sporting sector, with more than 5,600 community sporting clubs involved around Australia, reaching an estimated 1.5 million people.

For over 12 years Good Sports has supported sporting clubs across Australia to become safer, healthier, more family-friendly environments by reducing alcohol and tobacco-related harms within the club and the wider community. It also now addresses nutrition and mental health through its Good Sports + Healthy Eating and Good Sports + Healthy Minds programs.

ADF Head of Community Programs Maree Sidey said she welcomed the recognition and thanked the participating clubs, supporters, funders and staff, stating "good Sports is a free program for sporting clubs across Australia and is unique in the way it is enabling people to adopt healthier lifestyles and build stronger communities at a grassroots level. Good Sports clubs are helping make sure the focus of community is on sport.

"I would like to thank all the Australian Drug Foundation team in accepting this award, everyone has played a part in creating and supporting the delivery of our important programs."

"We'll use the $10,000 prize to support clubs through our national awards program as well as to provide more Responsible Service of Alcohol training to community sports clubs."

ADF also acknowledged the community sector for the role it plays supporting people affected by drug and alcohol related problems, their children and loved ones. The ADF believe supporting the prevention focused work of the community sector is vital and also thanked program sponsors including ME Bank, Hesta and ACOSS.

http://www.adf.org.au/