AFL partners with Good Sports

AFL NSW/ACT has strengthened its partnership with the Australian Drug Foundation’s Good Sports program by formalising it as part of their Quality Club program.
 
Good Sports, a national initiative that supports sporting clubs to manage alcohol responsibly, has been formally integrated into the AFL’s Quality Club program. Quality Club encourages clubs to achieve excellence in administration, providing an environment that attracts new players, officials, coaches and volunteers.
 
Now in its 10th year, Good Sports aims to identify and reduce alcohol related problems such as binge and underage drinking, increasing violence, accidents and injuries, reduced sporting performance and drink driving.
 
Research shows that football clubs involved in the Good Sports program have seen a 60 percent reduction in binge drinking among members.
 
Research also shows that members of sporting clubs involved with the program over a number of years are less likely to drink drive.
 
AFL NSW/ACT Planning & Operations Manager Tom Harley , said the Goods Sports program helps to promote a healthy and safe environment within clubs.

“In aligning with the Goods Sports program, we now have a more integrated accreditation system which creates a focus for preventing and managing alcohol within community clubs,” Mr Harley said.
 
“Goods Sports has a demonstrated track record of working closely with local councils and sporting clubs at the grass roots level, and we are pleased that our partnership will further support community football clubs in their efforts to provide a safe environment for members and players,” Mr Harley said.
 
Russel Grimson, acting NSW Manager, Australian Drug Foundation, said the Good Sports Program is reducing alcohol related harms across entire communities. 
 
“We congratulate AFL NSW/ACT for formally including Good Sports into their Quality Club program and encourage all clubs to get on board,” Mr Grimson said.
 
Around 1300 clubs are now registered with Good Sports across NSW. These clubs are successfully working to adopt safer, more family-friendly environments through strategies such as:
•         removing the focus on alcohol in fundraisers and club events; 
•         providing safe transport strategies for members attending club functions; and
•         ensuring all bar staff are Responsible Service of Alcohol trained.