Football Federation Australia has enlisted the support of elite male and female players to educate and promote responsible attitudes and practices to alcohol and illicit drugs through leadership education.
Football Federation Australia is aware of the inherent dangers and negative consequences for elite and community club football players associated with the excessive consumption of alcohol and use of illicit drugs.
We all have a part to play in the future success of football in Australia and within the Illicit Drugs in Sport (IDIS) Education program FFA aims to promote healthy lifestyles and positive decisions around alcohol and other drugs.
FFA has enlisted the support of elite male and female players to educate and promote responsible attitudes and practices to alcohol and illicit drugs through leadership education.
To this end, the National Futsal Championships were held down in Canberra, throughout numerous venues, where Westfield Matildas and Canberra United players Michelle Heyman, Lydia Williams, Caitlin Munoz, Caitlin Cooper and Ellie Brush all made regular appearances throughout the tournament on behalf of the FFA-s IDIS program.
Canberra United captain, Ellie Brush made her first IDIS presentation accompanied by experienced IDIS ambassador, Lydia Williams.
Brush and Williams were happy with the outcome of the presentation after addressing a group of young women midweek, and Brush highlighted the importance of audience interaction.
“Lydia and I opened up the floor after we spoke and some great questions were asked following the presentation, for instance I was if I had I ever been offered illicit drugs before," Brush said.
“It was clear the topics of the presentation were making the audience think. It is important to raise the topic of alcohol and other drugs with young sportspeople within the context of goal setting and healthy lifestyles."
As well as increasing the awareness of alcohol safety and the risks of illicit drug use, the players' appearances at the championships gave many young sportspeople to interact with their idols and take home some important messages to help them stay healthy and safe.