SAYNOW
Sports Assisting Youth Now
A new program designed to make young sportspeople aware of the temptations and damage from alcohol abuse is being launched by Canterbury District Police in conjunction with ALAC and Sport Canterbury.
"We've developed a program using the people who work behind the clubroom bars, as well as supporters, players, coaches, managers, committee members and sponsors," says Constable Kerry Lancaster, Liquor Licensing officer. "It's designed to reduce the risks associated with after game celebrations."
Aimed at players, (U18 and above grades) coaches and managers, it will include informative, engaging and hard hitting presentations around alcohol, she advises.
Heavy drinking after weekend sports is a fairly entrenched aspect of New Zealand society today. The harmful consequences include violence, hospitalisations, suicide risk, health and community problems, she says.
"Alcohol is a touchstone for community problems; it is known to be a major aggravator of anti social behaviour in the community and is readily identified in up to 80% of all crime," says Lancaster. "In 2006, 85% of arrests processed through Canterbury Police watch houses were affected by alcohol."
It is hoped that sports clubs will make attendance at the presentations compulsory. Presenters will include top grade sports persons, psychologists and senior police staff. A first session will focus on the wide team while the second is designed to introduce the concept to coaches and managers of being mentors for the young players in their teams.
"If they can understand how they can relate and have a positive influential impact on the development of young players, we can bring in responsible alcohol messages."
A third session introduces club committee members and bar managers to the ClubMark process as well as running discussions around what clubs can do to curb the drinking culture within a club, and the Sale of Liquor Act and its implications for clubs.
"It's hoped this will follow on with positive alcohol messages that players will continue with outside their club involvement," says Kerry Lancaster. "It's a very wide ranging program that we hope with facilitate discussion, ideas and brainstorming sessions among all the attendees."
Lancaster herself is a keen sportswoman who has played at high level in squash, tennis and netball and understands the implications and consequences of alcohol misuse in sports clubs.
"It might be as simple as a regular supporter who remonstrates with players skulling beer, or sports drinks being available instead of alcohol at a venue or to young people.
"Changes like this can take a generation or two to really take hold- and we all know how entrenched this behaviour is in our society. Feedback from many youths shows that they are not all impressed by binge drinking," she says.
"The intention is we shall have more fun, well informed healthy, role models and young players will be making better decisions and having fewer regrets."
Media Invitation
17 March, 7.30pm. Mandeville Sports Club, 431 Mandeville Rd, Mandeville
18 March, 7.30pm. Southbrook Rugby Clubrooms in Rangiora
Media are invited to a session but please advise Constable Kerry Lancaster, phone 3780447 if you are attending as this is not a public meeting.