Baseball
Australia has stepped up to the plate to protect children from alcohol harm,
today pledging to no longer accept alcohol advertising in its junior
competitions and at the national representative level of the game.
In doing so,
it becomes the first Australian sporting code to partner with the national
campaign, End Alcohol
Advertising in Sport,
and sends a
strong message that Baseball Australia is proactively building
a more family-friendly and
healthier sporting environment.
At the
announcement today, Baseball Australia Chief Executive Cam Vale said their
decision reflects community attitudes, and taking a stand on alcohol advertising
leads the way for other sporting codes.
“Baseball
Australia is proud to partner with the End Alcohol Advertising in Sport
campaign. Our junior players, and the kids and families who support Baseball in
Australia are the future of our code. They are tomorrow’s players, superstars
and fans of our sport,
and in partnering
with End Alcohol Advertising in
Sport, we aspire to create a healthier sporting environment
for them all to thrive,” Mr Vale said.
Testament to
Baseball Australia’s serious resolve to turn its back on alcohol advertising, Mr
Vale says Baseball Australia recently rejected a sponsorship proposal with an
overseas alcohol brand.
“Sport is a
competitive market in Australia and we are not alone in positioning our
particular game as being focused on junior participation and development;
however, better leadership from sporting administrators is required,” Mr Vale
said.
“Our Little
League program, which is part of the broader Little League International
platform, promotes values
of citizenship, discipline,
teamwork and physical well-being, which perfectly align
with the values and spirit of this particular partnership” he said.
Alcohol is
the major contributor to the three leading causes of death among Australian
teenagers: unintentional injury, homicide and suicide. And there is extensive
research showing that exposure to alcohol marketing leads kids to drink more
frequently, at dangerous levels, and from an earlier age.
Baseball
Australia’s decision does not extend to, or impact, the operations of the eight
independently owned and operated Australian Baseball League teams competing in
the professional domestic competition.
The three year
partnership with End Alcohol Advertising in Sport will see the campaign
promoted nationally at Little League games and promoted on Baseball Australia’s
digital and media platforms and
distributed to the baseball clubs and members throughout Australia.
One of Australia’s
rising baseball stars Mitch Edwards, who’s making a name for himself with
Major League clubPhiladelphia Phillies, is a vocal ambassador for End Alcohol
Advertising in Sport, and believes Baseball Australia has made a fantastic
strategic play.
“It's really
exciting that we get to step up, be the leader, and show the other codes the
way. Baseball Australia is the first national sporting code in Australia to
join the campaign to end alcohol advertising in sports, so it's massive and I'm
really proud to be involved,” said Mitch.
End Alcohol
Advertising in Sport campaign spokesman and Chief Executive for the Foundation
for Alcohol Research and Education (FARE), Michael Thorn congratulated Baseball
Australia and said he was delighted that a national sporting code recognised
the importance of prioritising the health and welfare of its player and
supporter base above all else.
“Baseball
Australia have today shown leadership that is sadly lacking in too many of our
national sporting codes. Sport can and should be a powerful force for good.
Rather than simply condemning player transgressions, sporting codes must show
leadership, and that starts with walking away from alcohol advertising dollars,
as Baseball Australia is doing,” Mr Thorn said.
Click here to support End Alcohol Advertising in Sport's campaign.