Mixed response for alcohol policy22 May 2008
The AFL wants its 16 clubs to sign on to a policy document on responsible drinking.
Instead of taking a proscriptive approach the draft policy, which was 18 months in the making, focuses on the welfare of footballers and workplace safety.
The AFL acknowledges that it's in its own best interests and the interests of grassroots football and the wider community that it establishes benchmarks for responsible drinking and reducing the harm associated with risky alcohol consumption.
Dr Pippa Grange is the general manager of psychology, people and culture with the AFL Players' Association.
"All 16 clubs now have to adhere to a compliance checklist that's based on the sets of principles and competencies that the policy describes," she told AM.
"So it sort of frames up a streamlined and standardised policy across the league."
Dr Grange has denied criticisms that there are too many loopholes for players.
"I'm a definite advocate of a harm minimisation and a welfare-oriented approach to issues such as drug and alcohol," she said.
"But more importantly, this is not just about players. This is a league-wide and an industry initiative so this encompasses AFL and AFLPA administrators and staff, coaches, umpires and players."
David Templeman, CEO of the Alcohol and Other Drugs Council, says the AFL should be credited with taking the issue seriously.
"On first reading, it's a very progressive step," he said.
"We have an issue in the community of alcohol-related harm and they are taking some very significant leadership steps to at least do something about it in their own organisation."
The draft defines risky alcohol consumption as between seven and 10 drinks a day, based on guidelines laid out in 2001.
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