Good Sports Program

What is the Good Sports Program?

The Good Sports program is an initiative of the Alcohol and Drug Foundation (ADF) to develop safer and healthier communities. The program supports and inspires community sporting clubs to set up a better environment for players, volunteers, supporters and officials, helping tackle tricky topics such as alcohol, drugs, smoking, mental health and safe transport.

Objectives

The objectives of the Good Sports Program are to:

1. Guide clubs to develop, commit to and maintain policies and practices that prevent alcohol and other drug (AOD) harm.
2. Build knowledge and confidence to prevent or reduce risk of AOD harm and how to access help.
3. Prevent or reduce risky alcohol consumption and behaviours.
4. Increase awareness of mental health supports and how to access help.
5. Prevent or reduce children’s exposure to alcohol use in sport.
6. Contribute to the creation of a safer and inclusive environment for members.
7. Build diversified and sustainable funding to prevent reliance on alcohol sponsorship

Benefits

The benefits of the Good Sports Program are:

• Your club can be a role model in your local community. By joining Good Sports, you can reduce the harms from alcohol and other drugs for your members and families and set an example for your community. 
• Prevent or reduce children’s exposure to alcohol use at your club with easy tips.
• You’ll get expert support from the Good Sports team to build a club policy around tricky topics such as alcohol management, illegal drugs, smoking, mental health and safe transport. 
• Improve club governance around issues like liquor licensing, attract more members and volunteers, and get support to improve funding opportunities.
• We’ll also work with you to identify strategies that work in your unique club environment, to affect the change needed to make your club the best it can be.
• The program is designed for busy volunteers to make a positive difference, in less time, with less stress and at your own pace. 
• The Good Sports online portal is your hub for exclusive resources, training modules and access to free merch. 
• Plus, you’ll get expert support from a dedicated Good Sports team member every step of the way.
• There’s no cost – it’s free for all Australian community sporting clubs!

How does the program work?

The key strategy of Good Sports is the accreditation program. The three level accreditation criteria are:

1. Registered Club: Clubs that have signed up for the Good Sports Program
2. Accredited Club: Clubs have registered for the Good Sports Program and have signed off on the first policy which covers key policies like smoking and alcohol management.  
3. Gold Accredited Club: Clubs that have signed up for the Good Sports Program and have signed off on the full range of policies and actions ranging from illegal drugs, mental health and safe transport to supporting juniors. This is the highest level of the program. 

More information visit Become a Good Sports club - Good Sports

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For further information or assistance contact Gayan Loku, Sport Development & Inclusion Officer, gayanl@hume.vic.gov.au.