1.
PURPOSE
This policy outlines our procedures for a
balanced and responsible approach to the service, supply, consumption and
promotion of alcohol at club games, special events, functions and other club-related
activities. It represents our club’s commitment to its members, volunteers and visitors,
acknowledging the role that sporting clubs and associations play in building strong
and healthy communities.
This policy will help to ensure our club:
·
Meets
its duty of care in relation to the health and safety of our members,
volunteers and visitors who attend any club games, special events, functions
and other activities where alcohol may be consumed.
·
Upholds
the reputation of our club, our sponsors and partners.
·
Understands
the risks associated with alcohol misuse and our role in minimising this risk.
·
Complies
with a valid liquor licence* and associated terms and conditions.
2.
RATIONALE
PRFC recognises the legal
responsibilities and the financial and social benefits of holding and/or
operating a liquor licence* in the community. Level 3 Accreditation under the Good Sports program requires us to
implement practices and policies regarding the responsible management of
alcohol. As such, we will adhere to liquor licensing laws* and the criteria of
the Good Sports program.
3.
GENERAL PRINCIPLES
·
A
risk management approach will be taken in planning events and activities
involving the sale, supply or consumption of alcohol. Such events and
activities will be conducted and managed in a manner consistent with liquor
licensing legislation and this policy.
·
Alcohol
misuse can lead to risk taking, unsafe, unacceptable and/or illegal behaviour. Excessive
consumption of alcohol will not be an excuse for unacceptable behaviour,
particularly behaviour that endangers others or breaches the law, this policy
or any other policy of the club.
4. CONDUCT EXPECTATIONS
Whilst
engaging in club activities, members,
volunteers and visitors:
·
Will
accept responsibility for their own behaviour, take a responsible approach and
use good judgment when alcohol is available.
·
Will
encourage and assist others to use good judgment when alcohol is available.
·
Will
not compete, train, coach or officiate if affected by alcohol.
·
Will
not provide, encourage or allow people aged under 18 years to consume alcohol.
·
Will
not participate, pressure anyone or encourage excessive or rapid consumption of
alcohol (including drinking competitions).
·
Will
not provide alcohol only as an award to a player or official for any reason.
·
Will
not post images on social media of themselves or others drinking alcohol irresponsibly
at club-related activities.
5.
ALCOHOL MANAGEMENT
Our club will ensure that:
·
A
current and appropriate liquor licence* is maintained.
·
The
club’s liquor licence* is displayed as near as practical to the entrance of the
clubroom or beside the bar/canteen (as required by relevant state law).
·
All
mandatorily required liquor licence* signage will be displayed in each area
covered by the club’s licence*
·
The
names of Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) trained personnel will be
displayed near the bar.
·
Servers
of alcohol will not consume alcohol when on duty.
·
Information
posters about ‘Standard Drink measures ’ will be displayed prominently near where
alcohol is served.
·
An
Incident Register will be maintained (at the bar/canteen) and any
alcohol-related incidence will be recorded on the register.
·
Substantial food (requiring preparation and/or heating) will be
available when alcohol is available for more than 90 minutes and more than 15
people are present. Healthy food options will be provided, where possible.
·
Alcohol
is not advertised, promoted, served or consumed at junior games, events,
functions or activities.
5.1
Service of Alcohol
Alcohol
will be served according to the club’s liquor licence* with the safety and
well-being of members and visitors the priority. Our club will ensure:
·
Only
RSA trained bar servers with current qualifications will serve alcohol.
·
Standard
drink measures are used for non pre-packaged alcohol (e.g. drinks in glasses),
where possible.
·
Servers
are aware of standard drink sizes and are competent in measuring standard
drinks.
·
The
service of double measures of spirits is discouraged.
·
People
aged under 18 years do not serve alcohol.
5.2 Intoxicated
People
For
the purposes of this policy, a person is defined as in a state of intoxication if his or her speech, balance, co-ordination or
behaviour is noticeably affected and there are reasonable grounds for believing
that this is the result of the consumption of alcohol.
·
Intoxicated
people will not be permitted to enter our club premises.
·
Alcohol
will not be served to any person who is or appears intoxicated.
·
Servers
will follow RSA training procedures when refusing service to an intoxicated
person.
·
If
a person becomes intoxicated (and is not
putting other people at risk with their behaviour) the person will not be
served alcohol but will be provided with water and options for safe transport
home from our club, where available.
·
If
a person becomes intoxicated (and is putting
other people at risk due to their behaviour) the person will be asked to leave our
club premises immediately and offered safe transport options, where available.
Police may also be contacted to remove the person, if required.
·
Any
alcohol-related incident and any action taken will be recorded in our club’s
incident register.
5.3 Underage
Drinking
·
Alcohol
will not be served to persons aged under 18 years.
·
Bar
servers and committee members will ask for proof of age whenever the age of a
person requesting alcohol is in doubt.
·
Only
photo ID’s will be accepted as ‘proof of age’.
·
Our
club will not encourage the drinking of alcohol in the club change-rooms
to reduce the risk of minors being served alcohol illegally.
5.4 Availability of
Non-Alcoholic and Low Alcohol Drinks
Our
club recognises that not all club members may drink alcohol and alcohol is not
the only revenue stream available. Our club actively encourages the sale of
alternative products to that of alcohol and will ensure that:
·
Water
is provided free of charge (where available).
·
At
least four non-alcoholic drinks and one low-alcoholic drink option are always
available and priced at least 10% cheaper than the cheapest full strength
drink. Healthy drink options will be provided, where possible.
·
Non-alcoholic
drinks are clearly visible and adequate in variety and supply.
1.
FUNCTIONS
Our club will encourage safe celebrations and
events by:
·
Not
conducting functions where a minimum amount of liquor sales is required.
·
Not
promoting or hosting ‘all you can drink’ functions.
·
Not
providing alcohol-only drink vouchers for functions.
·
Not including alcohol in the price of function
tickets
Advertisements for
functions will promote safe celebrations by:
·
Not
overemphasising the availability of alcohol or referring to the amount of
alcohol available.
·
Not
encouraging rapid drinking or excessive drinking.
·
Giving
equal reference to the availability of non-alcoholic drinks.
·
Displaying
a clear start and finish time for the function.
·
Including
a safe transport message, where possible and relevant.
2.
SAFE TRANSPORT
Our
club recognises that driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs is hazardous
to individuals and the wider community. Accordingly, our club implements a Safe
Transport Policy that is reviewed regularly in conjunction with this Alcohol
Management Policy. We ask that all attendees at our functions plan their
transport requirements to ensure they arrive home safely and prevent driving
under the influence of alcohol.
3.
CLUB TRIPS
Our
club will monitor and ensure any club trips, particularly end of season player
trips, strictly adhere to responsible behaviour and alcohol consumption in
accordance with the principles of this policy and the values of the club.
4.
AWARDS/PRIZES
Our
club will avoid providing awards (e.g. at end of season
presentations) and fundraising prizes that have an emphasis on alcohol as a
reward.
5.
PROMOTING THIS POLICY AND
RESPONSIBLE USE OF ALCOHOL
Our club will:
·
Educate
members, volunteers and visitors about our policy and the benefits of having
such a policy.
·
Ensure
this policy is easily accessible and will promote it via our website, social media, announcements during events and functions.
·
Actively
demonstrate its attitude relating to the responsible use of alcohol and promote
positive messages through its social media platforms.
·
Pursue
non-alcohol sponsorship and revenue sources.
·
Actively
participate in the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s Good Sports program with an ongoing priority to achieve/maintain the highest Good Sports
accreditation.
6.
NON-COMPLIANCE
Club committee members will uphold this policy
and any non-compliance, particularly in regard to
Licencing
Laws*, will be handled according to the following process:
·
Explanation
of the policy to the person/people concerned, including identification of the
section of policy not being complied with.
·
Continued
non-compliance with the policy should be handled by at least two committee
members who will use their discretion as to the action taken, which may include
asking the person/ people to leave the facilities or function.
7.
POLICY MANAGEMENT
The
presence of a bar manager, person who
has current RSA qualifications and/or committee member, whenever our bar is open, is essential to ensure
compliance with this policy and liquor
licensing laws.
8.
POLICY REVIEW
This
policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains relevant to club
operations and reflects both community expectations and legal requirements.
Ex