Football Federation Australia (FFA) have today signed up to a program which will educate sportspeople about the dangers of illicit drugs and the affect they can have on their professional and personal lives.
Football Federation Australia (FFA) have today signed up to a program which will educate sportspeople about the dangers of illicit drugs and the affect they can have on their professional and personal lives.
Minister for Sport Mark Arbib today announced that FFA together with Athletics, Australia Rugby Union and Surf Life Saving would join the AFL, Australian Rugby League, Basketball Australia, the Confederation of Australian Motor Sport, Cricket Australia, Netball Australia, Rowing Australia, Surfing Australia and Swimming Australia in the program to fight illicit drugs.
“The Gillard Government has provided more than $14 million to the Illicit Drugs in Sport program to educate our athletes,” Senator Arbib said.
“These grants are part of the Government-s investment in national sporting organisations to ensure that Australian athletes have the education and support to make the right choices when it comes to illicit drugs.”
Senator Arbib said the Illicit Drugs in Sport program aimed to:
• Prevent illicit drug use in elite sport through education programs targeted at athletes, coaches and sports administrators; • Harness the power of positive sporting role models to help deliver community education about the harms of illicit drug use; • Assist athletes identified with a drug problem in getting help; and • With the support of athletes, develop future research platforms.
“Australians are passionate supporters of our sportsmen and women and as ambassadors for their sports and our nation. We expect them to set a good example for the community - both on and off the field,” Senator Arbib said.
“Educating our elite athletes about the harm illicit drug use can cause - to themselves, their families, their careers, their teams, their sports and the Australian community - is the best way to ensure they make the right choices and continue to be role models for young Australians.
“It is fantastic to have the support of Australia-s major sporting bodies in this extremely important program which not only educates our current stars, but also the athletes of the future.”
FFA CEO Ben Buckley said the new initiative will compliment the current drug education program that FFA have in place.
“The support from the Federal government will enable us to enhance the myFootball career drug education program that we currently roll-out to all players in our National Teams, Hyundai A-League, Westfield W-League and National Youth League competitions,” said Ben Buckley.
“In addition, we will now also use selected players and club champion mentors to communicate the message that Illicit drugs have no place in sport to all levels of the football community.”