A cluster of organisations have joined forces to encourage rugby club members and supporters to choose zero-alcohol beverages this season.
The South Canterbury Rugby Football Union, Health New Zealand Te Whatu Ora, Fire and Emergency New Zealand, New Zealand Police and South Canterbury Road Safety are together asking people to ‘‘Be a Hero: Try Zero’’.
Throughout May, June and July, rugby club members and supporters will be encouraged to choose zero-alcohol beverages.
The initiative aimed to reduce alcohol related harm in a commitment to player and community wellbeing.
Competition packs will be delivered to South Canterbury rugby clubs and will include education and tips on how to check in on their mates’ wellbeing and the local and national support available.
The ‘‘Be a Hero: Try Zero’’ campaign promotes non-alcoholic drink options in rugby clubrooms, encourages players and supporters to try zero alcohol, and to show support for players and supporters who choose not to drink.
The competition also aimed to encourage rugby clubs to stock a greater variety of non-alcoholic beverages in their bars.
The intention is to get people talking, shift attitudes and behaviours and de-stigmatise zero-alcohol choices.
The rugby club that consumes the most zero-alcohol beverages during the months of May, June and July will win $1000 towards club improvements or gear of their choice.
South Canterbury Rugby Football Union chief executive officer Tim Hyde-Smith said they wanted to build on last year’s ‘‘Try Zero’’ promotion by educating players and supporters about non-alcoholic options in a commitment to player and community wellbeing.
‘‘This means being able to have a good time but being prepared for their games and being positive role models in social environments on and off the field,’’ Hyde-Smith said.
‘‘We want our local players to be mentally, emotionally and physically healthy and have positive habits that support their relationships, finances and career.’’
Alcohol-related harm affects the wellbeing of communities in a multitude of ways.
- Alcohol is a larger contributing factor to deaths and serious injury crashes on South Canterbury roads compared to both Canterbury and New Zealand as a whole.
- Males are over-represented in these statistics, and the highest number of alcohol-related crashes occur on Saturday and Sunday, 6pm-12am.
- Nationwide data from Fire and Emergency New Zealand also shows a strong correlation between alcohol use and incidents; 50% of all fatal house fires involve drugs or alcohol.
- Ministry of Health research shows that nationally the annual cost of alcohol harm is estimated to be over $7 billion a year, and two in five violent interpersonal offences are known to involve alcohol, as well as 11% of emergency department visits.
‘‘Be a Hero: Try Zero’’ is part of the ‘‘What About You’’ campaign to promote low-risk drinking, low drug use and support wellbeing in South Canterbury. — APL
