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An evaluation of the Australian Football League Central Australian Responsible Alcohol Strategy 2005–07
Author(s) -
Mentha Ricky,
Wakerman John
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
health promotion journal of australia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.515
H-Index - 32
eISSN - 2201-1617
pISSN - 1036-1073
DOI - 10.1071/he09208
Subject(s) - football , league , population health , public health , medicine , political science , environmental health , population , law , nursing , physics , astronomy
Issue Addressed In 2004, the Australian Football League Central Australia (AFLCA) implemented the Responsible Alcohol Strategy (RAS), which aimed to decrease alcohol consumption at matches, and to promote healthy lifestyle messages to the youth of Central Australia participating in Australian Rules football. Methods The evaluation adopted a pre‐ and post‐implementation design to monitor a number of performance indicators. The evaluation analysed routinely collected data from AFLCA, its Security Company, Alice Springs Police Department and Alice Springs Hospital; we surveyed AFLCA staff, club officials and umpires; and undertook direct observation at AFLCA events. Results The volume of alcohol sold at matches decreased. Survey data indicate decreased alcohol related violence, improved spectator behaviour and decreased spectator attendances. Police data suggest declining alcohol‐related and violent behaviours, but trends were not statistically significant. Alice Springs Hospital injury admission data indicate a non‐significant interaction between year and season effect. Conclusion In a community context of high alcohol consumption and high rates of interpersonal violence, the strategies implemented were successful in decreasing alcohol consumption and related undesirable behaviours at football games. However, these measures have resulted in unintended consequences: decreased numbers of spectators attending games, decreased canteen sales and falling sponsorship. The decreased revenue has raised serious issues about sustainability of the alcohol intervention, and stimulated discussions with government and others about strategies to maintain this important alcohol reduction policy. So what This evaluation raises a policy question for government relating to the desirability and possible economic benefit of supporting these injury and antisocial activity prevention strategies.