Bentleigh Achieves Level 3

Efforts by the Bentleigh Cricket Club to tackle the difficult issue of alcohol managment in community sport have resulted in the club receiving a Level 3 accreditation under the Australian Drug Foundtation's Good Sports program.

THe program has been designed to assist clubs with the responsible managmenet of alcohol through an accreditation process requiring the clubs to implement a variety of practices and policies at each level. It is the first nationwide alcohol accreditation program of its kind.

The program breaks the so-called link between alcohol and club profits and in the process guides clubs to a healtheir and safer future by becoming more attractive to a wider range of people in the local community.

Bentleigh Cricket Club Secretary, Matthew Thorp said that:

"We offer friendly and safe club facilities which comply with Liquor Licensing's legal requirments. An important part of that was to put our bar servers through a training course in responsible service of alcohol."

"We want people to know the Bentleigh Cricket Club focus is sport, not drinking. We serve alcohol in a safe responsible manner and is certainly not our reason for being here. I can assure all members of our community that this is a welcoming and safe place to play, or watch, some great sport without fear of "boozy louts" ruining your day."

The club will be regularly monitored to ensure compliance with the accreditation criteria.

The Good Sports Program was developed following research conducted by the Australian Drug Foundation which showed high risk consumption of alcohol in communtiy sporting clubs. Through the introduction of responsible alcohol managment policies, clubs have been able to improve their image and increase their revenue and decrease their risk of liability.

Clubs interested in more information or wishing to register for the Good Sports program should contact Good Sports on 1300 883 817.