Copyright 2008 Australian Drug Foundation. All rights reserved.
All trademarks are acknowledged and remain the property of their owners.
About Us
To view more information about the Good Sports program, please click here
South Mildura Sports Club |
|
History The club won the 1998 premiership in a year, which was characterized by excessive alcohol consumption and free alcohol being provided to players. In 1999, the club experienced huge player turnover and the senior football team finished sixth. The club could field only one senior netball team for the next three years. The senior football team finished last in 2000 and 2001, winning only one game in 2001. The club was approximately $100,000 in debt after spending significant amounts on player payments in 1998. The club had less than ten sponsors in 1999. The club also tolerated underage drinking by under 18’s players after games and at social functions. At the start of the 2000 season, the club only had seventeen paid up members. The club had problems attracting females to the club, whether as netball players, guests or committee members. The club wanted to be a part of the Good Sports program because of it’s lax attitude to the service of alcohol in general and because of the contribution of alcohol to violent incidents within the club. Key things the club did to create change In 2002, a non-smoking policy was introduced and the club became Good Sports Level 1 accredited in April 2002. The club began fundraising by selling soft drinks at the annual Mildura Show and arranging a number of functions. In late 2003, the Vice President was made acting President and set about improving the income received from sponsors. The club found alternative fundraising sources, including the construction of two houses in 2005 and 2006 and using the club oval as an over flow caravan park during the annual Mildura Country Music Festival. The long standing under 18’s team manager was dismissed because of his tolerance for under age drinking. Drinking trouble spots around the club ground were eradicated by enforcing alcohol free zones and additionally preventing cars being parked certain areas. From 2005-2006, the club attracted grants worth over $100,000 to install spectator viewing terraces, new coaches boxes, light towers and a disabled access ramp. In 2006, the club banned any alcohol from being taken into the club grounds on match days. The club employed security guards at the gate to assist policing the policy on days with large crowds expected. The club has 20 committee members and players who have successfully completed the Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) course. All club members who serve alcohol at the club are RSA accredited. The club has a policy of hiring the hall to groups only during daytime hours, where alcohol is not a revenue source. This policy came about after previous problems with 18th birthday parties being held at the club. Challenges and difficulties Some club members had difficulty accepting that alcohol could not be brought into the club grounds on match days. The Under 18’s manager was extremely upset after losing his job after 17 years at the club. Sporting club manager Geoff Driscoll was initially reluctant to reduce the price of light beer, but the subsequent increase in sales of light beer more than made up for the reduction in price. The outcome – how the club has changed There has been a marked reduction in drinking problems, with no violent incidents since the club became Good Sports accredited. There has been a reduction in the percentage of overall revenue generated by alcohol sales from 51% to 24%. There has been an increase in female members from 11% to 30%. The number of netball teams has increased fourfold. There is an increased family presence at the club with parents, children and infants gathering after matches in the club rooms. On field performances have improved across all football and netball teams. The club has attracted $46,000 in sponsorship in 2006 and the Football and Sporting Clubs are simultaneously in the black for the first time in ten years. |
