Fact Sheet

Click here for a pdf of the Media Fact Sheet

Introduction:

Alcohol and sport are historically closely linked in Australia. Most major sporting competitions and teams promote and advertise alcohol consumption and many sports clubs have a tradition of heavy drinking. A large number of clubs depend on revenue from alcohol to finance club activities.

Evidence is growing which demonstrates that community-based sports clubs contribute to alcohol problems by accepting and promoting excessive drinking and providing inappropriate role models for young people.

A study of more than 500 young people found:

- more than 30% of 13–17 year olds had participated in unsupervised drinking at a sports club… 71% of these had never

been asked for proof of age.[1]

Another survey among sporting club members found:

- 51% of drinkers at sports clubs are consuming alcohol at harmful or hazardous levels.[2]

A study of community football clubs in 2000 showed:

- 13% of 18-20 year olds drank 13 or more standard drinks each time they visited the club

- 83% left the club as the driver of a vehicle. [3]

-70% of males (30% of females) believe drinking is an important tradition at their club.

Further research conducted in community sports clubs across Australia found:

-  20% of men aged 18-30 consume 10 or more standard drinks each time they visit the club. [4]

What is Good Sports?

The Good Sports program is a national initiative of the Australian Drug Foundation (ADF) to develop safer and healthier communities. It is a free program which helps clubs change their culture to become more focused on young people and families and less on the consumption of alcohol at high risk levels. 

Good Sports works to create sustainable change by enabling sporting clubs to change their systems and practices around the responsible serving of alcohol. It has been developed to:

o        Change the behaviour of players, supporters and members of community sporting clubs;

o        Increase the viability and impact of sporting clubs in their communities;

o        Reduce alcohol related problems such as drink driving, violence and assault.

Displaying the Good Sports logo sends an important message to club members and the community. It confirms that the club promotes a responsible attitude towards alcohol and that it provides a safe environment for players, members, families and supporters.

Benefits to Clubs

-      ‘New’ club culture welcoming to families and juniors

- More attractive to sponsors

- New and diverse revenues streams

-  Increase in membership, volunteers and teams

-  Improved relationships with community organizations (local govt., police)

- Improved public image

-  Reduced risk of liability

-  Reduced alcohol-related problems (eg. Binge and underage drinking, violence, etc.)

-   Applications for funding and grants strengthened.

#Source: Australian Institute for Primary Care—Latrobe University, ‘Evaluation of the Good Sports Program 2003’

Benefits to Communities

- Residents more connected and satisfied with their community

-  Reduced violence, noise, injury and damage to facilities

-  Reduced road trauma and drink driving incidents

-   More young people protected from the misuse of legal and illegal drugs

-  Improved health and fitness of community members

-  More viable and family focused sporting clubs

How does the program work?

The key strategy of Good Sports is the accreditation program. The three level accreditation criteria consist of a set of alcohol management standards for clubs that serve and consume alcohol. Clubs are required to move through the levels in a set amount of time (maximum 5 years), maintaining all the criteria from previous levels as they do so. A Good Sports Project Officer assists the club through the entire process.

Level 1:

-   Comply with liquor license laws

-  Bar management (RSA training)

- Smoke-free

Level 2:

- Maintenance of Level 1 criteria

-  Enhanced bar management (RSA training, etc.)

-  Food and drink (low and non alcoholic) options

-  Safe transport policy

-  Diverse revenue generation

Level 3:

-  Maintenance of Level 1 & 2 criteria

- Alcohol management policy

At each level, the club must promote their involvement in the program to their members.

Clubs that do not serve or consume alcohol may apply for Level 0:

Level 0:

- Alcohol-free facilities

- Smoke-free

- Diverse revenue generation

- Promotion (Good Sports program)

- Safe transport policy

- Alcohol management policy

Good Sports has been adopted by a diverse range of community sports clubs. It is currently operating in a number of states across Australia with over 4000 clubs involved.