The program
How does Good Sports work?
Good Sports provides free support to sporting clubs to change their culture and reduce high risk drinking. Under the program, clubs will focus more on young people, families and sport participation and less on drinking alcohol.
The three-level accreditation criteria provide alcohol management standards for clubs that serve and / or consume alcohol. Clubs move through the levels over a period of 3 – 5 years, maintaining all standards from previous levels as they progress.
Good Sports’ major focus is to support sporting club committees progressively change the way alcohol is managed in all activities within the club’s grounds and associated functions.
For clubs that serve alcohol or allow members to bring alcohol to the facilities, Good Sports provides guidance to meet State / Territory laws. Many clubs benefit from access to Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training at a reduced cost. For clubs that host post-match functions where alcohol is available, Good Sports provides support to reduce alcohol related risks and change binge drinking culture.Once a sporting club signs up to the program, a Good Sports Project Officer assists the committee to work through the entire process with materials, one-on-one visits and ongoing support. To progress through the accreditation levels, the club committee agrees to meet specific standards. These standards are summarised below.
Good Sports promotional video
Good Sports Accreditation Level Summary
Level 1:
- Liquor license
- Bar management strategies
- Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) training
- Smoke-free environment
Level 2:
- Maintain Level 1 standards
- Enhanced bar management (RSA training, etc.)
- Food and drink options (low and non-alcoholic)
- Safe transport policy
- Diverse revenue generation
Level 3:
- Maintain Level 1 & 2 standards
- Alcohol management policy
At each level of accreditation the club must promote their involvement to members through signage, newsletters and social media as appropriate.
Sporting clubs that do not serve or consume alcohol may still participate in Good Sports by registering in an alternative Level 0 program.
Level 0 Focus Areas:
- Alcohol-free facilities
- Smoke-free environment
- Promotion of Good Sports
- Safe transport policy
- Alcohol management policy
Good Sports has been taken up by a diverse range of community sporting clubs from mainstream sports to specialties like archery to wrestling. It is currently available in every state and territory of Australia.
Some 842 of the 5,000+ clubs involved in Good Sports have joined in the past 12 months (June 2012). Thousands of clubs have demonstrated a desire and ability to progress through the accreditation levels.
Good Sports Accreditation Progress as of June 2012:
Level 1 1,623 clubs
Level 2 869 clubs
Level 3 1,115 clubs
Level 0 268 clubs
Hundreds of clubs are also currently working toward Level 1 accreditation.
Good Sports Healthy Minds
Sporting Clubs in Tasmania are able to participate in a special additional module of Good Sports that aims to build awareness of and increase capacity to respond to mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
Good Sports Healthy Eating
A three level accreditation program for Sporting clubs in Queensland and the Hunter New England region of NSW is designed to assist clubs provide healthier choices in canteens.
