With a turnover of circa 100m per annum, Premier Rugby trails behind some of the Premiership Football Clubs in terms of revenues. Despite this, Premier Rugby takes a firm lead in their involvement in community and social work. The latest programme, due to launch across the country this month, is no exception.
Active Communities Network and Premier Rugby, in partnership with Drinkaware, have come up with a ground breaking new project, which will see specially trained community staff from Premiership Rugby Clubs and local youth workers deliver sports based alcohol education to young people aged 13-19. The campaign, ‘Side Stepping Alcohol Misuse’ is the highest funded scheme Drinkaware have endorsed, contributing £100,000 of funds to the project.
Chris Sorek, Chief Executive of Drinkaware said “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.”
Players from the 12 Guinness Premiership clubs will take part in the programme, including Dan Ward Smith of the London Wasps who believes the players are in the best position to deliver this important message. He hopes to educate youngsters on the effects alcohol can have on their bodies, their judgement and their relationships.
For further information on ‘Side Step Alcohol Misuse’ please visit, www.guinnesspremiership.com/community/drinkaware.