02/04/25 - National community sport champions celebrated at MCG

Australia’s top community sporting clubs and volunteers are today being celebrated at the annual Good Sports Awards at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, recognising their commitment to creating healthy and safe environments.

These champions have gone above and beyond through the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s Good Sports program, helping to break the link between alcohol and sport and tackling topics like illicit drugs, smoking, mental health, and safe transport.

“The Good Sports Awards are the ultimate recognition for clubs leading the way. They celebrate success, highlight the volunteers who are the backbone of community sport, and give winning clubs the recognition they deserve. This year’s winners should be incredibly proud of their achievements,” said Alcohol and Drug Foundation CEO, Dr. Erin Lalor AM, in announcing the awards.

Taking out the top honour, New Lambton Football Club (NSW) has been named the 2024 Good Sports National Club of the Year for its commitment to fostering a welcoming, family-friendly environment and reducing harm from alcohol and other drugs. The club also claimed the Good Sports Junior Club of the Year and Good Sports NSW Club of the Year awards, recognising its leadership in promoting health and wellbeing for players of all ages.

Club Secretary Megan Payne said New Lambton was honoured to be recognised and credited Good Sports for helping shape their club culture, having been part of the program for over a decade.

“We’re incredibly proud to be named Good Sports National Club of the Year. With over 1,000 members, we prioritise inclusivity and creating a welcoming environment – whether through increasing female participation, our various disability programs, or ensuring families feel safe and supported,” Ms Payne said.

“Good Sports has helped us build strong policies around alcohol management, mental health awareness, and fostering a positive space for juniors. The program has guided us in enforcing alcohol-free junior events, responsible service at senior games, and educating members on vaping and mental health, ensuring our club remains safe and supportive for all.

“This recognition is a true honour. Like many community clubs, we rely on a small team of dedicated volunteers, and this award reinforces that our efforts make a real difference.

“We hope this award highlights the positive role clubs play in building healthy, supportive environments that bring communities together.”

Good Sports is Australia’s largest community health sports program, building strong, safe community clubs for over 25 years. Supporting more than 12,000 clubs nationwide, Good Sports helps create better environments for players, volunteers, supporters, and officials by addressing key issues like alcohol, drugs, smoking, mental health, and safe transport.

“Good Sports is helping build a healthier sporting nation,” Alcohol and Drug Foundation CEO, Dr Erin Lalor AM, continued.

“For over 25 years, Good Sports has helped community sporting clubs across Australia become safer and healthier. The program has been proven to reduce risky drinking and alcohol-related harms while increasing club members’ knowledge and confidence in addressing mental health and illicit drug issues.

“Local sports clubs can sometimes be places where alcohol and drug-related harms occur, but Good Sports proves they can also be a powerful force for positive change, shaping healthier behaviours and stronger communities.”

For more information about Good Sports and the Good Sports Awards visit: goodsports.com.au.  Please find the full list of award finalists below.

ENDS

Media contact: Mikayla Wearne, 0430 948 380 or media@adf.org.au.

Backgrounder

Good Sports facts and stats

Good Sports is a health initiative managed by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation that supports community sporting clubs to build and maintain healthy and more family friendly club environments.

For 25 years, Good Sports has been working with community sports clubs to prevent and reduce alcohol-related harm such as drink driving and address issues around tobacco, vaping, illicit drugs, and mental health.

The recent ‘Celebrating 25 Years of Good Sports’ report highlights the powerful impacts of the program, including:

• The reduction of risky drinking at participating clubs by 37%, with a 42% reduction in alcohol-related harms.
• An 8% reduction in the odds of drink-driving compared with non-Good Sports clubs, for each season a club is in the program.
• Increased confidence by up to 89% of participating clubs in managing illegal drug issues.
• 70% increased awareness of mental health issues at Good Sports clubs, with a 75% increase in support capabilities.
• Less reliance on alcohol sponsorship.
• An average 9% increase in club members and 17% increase in non-players (for example, volunteers) at participating clubs.

Good Sports Awards 2024 finalists

National awards

State and territory Club of the Year finalists

State and Territory Volunteer of the Year finalists