Good Sports Program

Hume City Council Supports Good Sports Clubs

The Good Sports program is an initiative of the Australian Drug Foundation (ADF) to develop safer and healthier communities. The program helps sporting clubs manage alcohol responsibly and reduce alcohol related problems such as binge and underage drinking.

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.

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.

Find a Sports Club

To locate a Sporting Club in Hume you can search our Community Directory

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.

Level 1:
Liquor license
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 the majority of states in Australia (and the Northern Territory) with a total of over 4000 clubs nationally and almost 1800 in Victoria alone.

Evidence, gathered over the past two decades, demonstrates that community-based sports clubs contribute to alcohol problems by accepting and promoting excessive drinking and providing inappropriate role models for young people.

Research has been conducted over a number of years to gauge the size of the issue and how Good Sports, over time, is supporting clubs to change their culture.

A a study of more than 500 young people found:

• more than 30 percent of 13-17 year olds had participated in unsupervised drinking at a sports club... 71 percent of these had never been asked for proof of age

Another survey among sporting club members found:

• 51 percent of drinkers at sports clubs are consuming alcohol at harmful or hazardous levels

A study of community football clubs in 2000 showed:

• 13 percent  of 18-20 year olds drank 13 or more standard drinks each time they visited the club
• 83 percent left the club as the driver of a vehicle
• 70 percent of males (30 percent of females) believe drinking is an important tradition at their club

Further, more recent research conducted in community sports clubs across Australia found:

• 20 percent of men aged 18-30 consume 10 or more standard drinks each time they visit the club

To find out more about the Good Sports Club follow the link to the Good Sports website at www.goodsports.com.au

Congratulations to the following Hume Good Sports accredited clubs:

For more information on these clubs please contact our Sport and Recreation Team on 9205 2200.