'Side Stepping Alcohol Misuse', an alcohol awareness project run by London Active Communities and Premier Rugby, is due to kick off across the country this month after receiving ??100,000 funding from the charity, Drinkaware. The ground-breaking new youth inclusion project will see specially trained community staff from Premiership Rugby Clubs and local youth workers deliver sports-based alcohol education to young people aged 13 to 19. The programme will target hard to reach and disadvantaged communities in 12 areas, including Newcastle, Leeds and London.
'Side Stepping Alcohol Misuse' is unique because it mixes traditional rugby training with alcohol education to encourage young people to think carefully about alcohol and its effects in a new and interesting way. Techniques employed by community staff and local youth workers will mix traditional rugby training with quiz-style questions on alcohol, warm-up relays and the use of specially designed beer goggles which, when worn, impair vision in a similar way to alcohol.
Designed to support larger scale projects with a national influence, the Big Impact Award of up to ??100,000 is Drinkaware's largest grant and 'Side Stepping Alcohol Misuse' is the only project to have received this level of funding to date. The charity's grants programme supports a diverse range of pioneering and creative projects which aim to reduce alcohol misuse and make a tangible change in local communities across the country.
Chris Sorek, Chief Executive of Drinkaware, says:
"The earlier young people have alcohol, the more likely they are to binge drink in their teenage years and develop alcohol problems later in life - which is why it's imperative young people put off drinking for as long as possible. Changing young people's attitudes and behaviours towards drinking can be a difficult task but teaming sports with alcohol education is a great way to help get the message across.
"'Side Stepping Alcohol Misuse' is an innovative approach to educating disaffected areas of our society about alcohol and Drinkaware is extremely proud to be funding such a pioneering project. Like all of our grants programmes, we look forward to seeing the results and sharing good practice to help advance alcohol education."
Premier Rugby's club community staff and local youth providers underwent intense training to be able to deliver the programme this month. 'Side Stepping Alcohol Misuse' is underpinned by six core alcohol messages for young people: the effects of alcohol on physical and mental health; harm minimisation; anti-social behaviour; units and sensible drinking; alcohol and safety and the consequences of drinking to excess. Part of the training was also extended to under 20 and youth players at Premier Rugby's clubs to educate them about the effects of drinking to excess - while also reminding them of their responsibilities as role models and ambassadors for their clubs.
Dan Ward-Smith of London Wasps said, "As athletes, we have had a good deal of education on what alcohol is and what it does to your body. It is important that we pass this knowledge on to young people and show how it could affect their health, their judgement and their relationships."
Gary Stannett, Chief Executive of London Active Communities said "Addressing alcohol issues with young people can sometimes be difficult, particularly when working in hotspots noted for high levels of disengaged young people. However, we are confident that incorporating high profile sports brands and sport-based techniques into education plans will prove a successful way of engaging these young boys and girls".
Source
Drinkaware
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