#BoozeFreeSport campaign update

FARE is a noisy advocate and for that I make no apologies. Our mission, “stopping harm caused by alcohol”, is unambiguous.

So when we witness government or industry failing in their duty of care to the Australian public, we are the first to cry foul.

The stakes are too high to remain silent. Every year 5,500 lives are lost and more than 157,000 people are hospitalised because of alcohol.

FARE has long argued for an end to alcohol sponsorship in sport.

Our latest campaign, #BoozeFreeSport, was sparked by a State of Origin Blues promotion in May offering free beer.

The giveaway was slammed by former New South Wales (NSW) Origin player and FARE Board Director, Steve Ella, who was dismayed that the Blues would be complicit in the promotion of a product responsible for so much harm and wrote to National Rugby League (NRL) Chief Executive Todd Greenberg to outline his concerns.

Concerned about the impact the promotion would have on impressionable young people and sport fans of all ages, Steve, together with his daughter Kristen and FARE, publicly condemned the NRL for what was a dangerous and ill-conceived promotion.

Now it’s been a long wait, but to its credit the NRL responded to Steve on 27 July.

In the letter, Greenberg outlines the NRL’s investment in measures to encourage its players and participants to drink responsibly.

It’s important that we acknowledge those efforts. However, we think there’s a bigger issue.

The NRL’s influence extends beyond the game itself, and its alcohol sponsorship agreements and promotional activities run counter to the NRL’s internal programs, sending the community an entirely different and contradictory message.

There’s potentially some positive news here.

Greenberg says the NRL is currently reviewing how it allows alcohol partners to activate their sponsorship through advertising and media.

Hopefully such a review would ensure we don’t see a repeat of this year’s Blues VB giveaway.

That would be an important first step.

Steve has since written back to Greenberg and requested that FARE be involved in the sponsorship review process. The NRL have already indicated they will consider that request.

American novelist and short story writer, the late Louis L’Amour said, “Victory is won not in miles but in inches. Win a little now, hold your ground, and later, win a little more”.

A reminder of both the value of small victories and the importance of going the distance.

It’s great to get a response from the NRL, but this doesn’t mean our campaign has come to an end. It’s important that we continue to show the NRL, and other professional sports, that Australia cares deeply about this issue.

Australians want to see change, and want their sporting codes to show leadership.

Join us in our fight. Share the Change.org petition with your family and friends. Explain to them why this cause matters, and ask for their support. You can also join the conversation on social media at #BoozeFreeSport.