Good Sports grant lessens the load at South Burnie Football Club

Five more people have been trained in the Responsible Service of Alcohol, taking the pressure off a small group of midnight-weary helpers.

Other Tasmanian Good Sports clubs interested in building a healthy community sports club environment can now apply for a share of new funding from the Tasmanian Government. Clubs can choose from Responsible Service of Alcohol training, Mental Health First Aid training, or vouchers for Good Sports merchandise.

Applications close on  Tuesday 31 January 2023 and can be submitted below.

Volunteers are vital

Tanya Vant, South Burnie Football Club Secretary says that volunteers are scarce, especially after two years of the COVID 19 pandemic impacts.

“The club is working hard to get back all its families and volunteers after a long absence.”

“As people come and go from the football club that leaves the same people to do the same jobs at the club. Because of the grant we now able to compile a roster and take turns at working behind the bar.”

Players were offered the opportunity to enrol in the course through the club’s Facebook page. Tanya said that those who put up their hand up were ideal candidates. They were “great with people, non-judgemental and good at customer service.”

South Burnie Football Club setting a good example

With the club aiming to grow its participation numbers even more it wants to set a good example for families.

“We always have two behind the bar and no longer serve highly alcoholic drinks. We put our foot down if someone has had too much. We are finding that people are no longer drinking as much as they used to.”

The club’s older players lead by example which helps to lessen peer pressure for younger members.

Through Good Sports, the club is committed to managing alcohol responsibly and ensuring smoke free areas to provide a healthy, safe and family friendly environment. It has Good Sports posters throughout its clubrooms and displays brochures on mental health.

South Burnie is famous for winning 11 premierships in a row up until 2019 and is the most successful club in the history of the Darwin Football Association competition.

The club has a busy social calendar regularly hosting team reunions and fundraisers. Its Blue Ball has just raised around $2,000 for the charity, Speak Up Stay ChatTY. The ball was founded to honour a former player and promotes positive mental health and suicide prevention.