Yinnar Football and Netball Club

The Club

Yinnar Football and Netball Club is located in the Latrobe Valley , 20km from Morwell. The Yinnar District has a population of 650. The club operates from the Yinnar Recreation Reserve and has been serving the community for 115 years. It currently boasts 450 members, and fields 12 netball teams and 7 football teams, as well as Auskick and Nettaball programs. Team members range from primary school age to open age.

History 

Approximately 12 years ago the Yinnar Football and Netball Club was under threat. The Latrobe Valley area had experienced a 25% decrease in 18­­–25 year olds; there was a decrease in club membership, and an increase in competition from other sports. The club did not have any long-term aims or policies and had quite an unprofessional image within the community. Members and the public had encountered a range of incidents, such as alcohol consumption at junior functions. Committee members became concerned about the difficulties in attracting sponsorship, the environment promoted by the club, and their responsibilities both legally and to the community. 

Making the Change

The club committee developed a number of aims for the club, one being to provide an enjoyable, comfortable, safe and rewarding environment for all people involved. In order to achieve this aim, Yinnar reviewed its use and promotion of alcohol by considering some of the following questions:   How is alcohol served in the club? Do we encourage heavy drinking? Are we adhering to our liquor licence? How is alcohol promoted? Do we sell drinks cheaply and hold drinking competitions? How can we diversify our income beyond the bar takings? 

The committee engaged stakeholders of the club, which included players, families, members, supporters and the local police, to consider these issues and develop an alcohol policy. Once developed, the club ensured that members were aware of the new policy via a direct mail out to all members, a president's message in the club newsletter and information sessions for players. 

The Challenge

In Australia , sport and alcohol have a strong association and often any changes to this culture are met with great opposition. However, because the need for a responsible alcohol policy was 'sold' so effectively to the club committee and members, Yinnar experienced little opposition. The club initially received some complaints from younger members who wanted to hold late night functions, however they soon understood the club is not a nightclub and members are free to go out to nightspots following a club function. There are rare occasions when committee members, who are strongly supported by the club community, need to remind people of the policy. 

The Outcome - Yinnar Football and Netball Club today

The club's membership has increased by 30% over the past 5–­10 years. It has doubled the size of clubrooms and has a greater proportion of junior members. The increase in membership, income from food, fundraisers and new sponsorship has replaced any small decline in bar income. Of most importance is the increased standing of the club in both the local and football community. 


The introduction of a responsible alcohol policy was in line with a number of other changes in the management of the club, such as a greater emphasis on junior members and the establishment of club aims. So while the positive changes at Yinnar Football and Netball Club are not solely attributed to the responsible alcohol policy, the club has no hesitation in saying that the introduction and maintenance of such a policy has played a significant role in the club's current success.