Is there an unhealthy drinking culture in Australian sport

[Swans4ever]

On a serious note is there too much of an unhealthy drinking culture in Australian sport? For me with a son in his teenage years who takes his football seriously I think it's something that not enough time and money is spent by both codes in addressing.


There's a simple reason why NRL players are no longer used to promote road safety
JOSH MASSOUD
THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
NOVEMBER 25, 2013 10:59PM

Manly Sea Eagles player Richie Fa'aoso. Source: News Corp Australia
THERE's a simple reason why NRL players are no longer used to promote road safety: some have a knack of being arrested for drink driving.

On Sunday afternoon, Richie Fa'aoso gave the NSW Roads and Maritime Service further motivation to avoid the code in future.
The third high profile DUI case of the year following James Tamou and Mitchell Allgood, Fa'aoso allegedly blew 0.126 - more than two and half times the legal limit.
But the sobering news was still to come, particularly for those at the NRL who've worked overtime to put the game at the forefront of a campaign to eliminate violence against women.
Yesterday was supposed to be a celebration of the code's new partnership with White Ribbon.
At 7.15am current players, ex-players and staff joined police on the annual White Ribbon walk from Randwick to Coogee. Back at League Central in Moore Park a sausage sizzle was held to raise money, with male donors urged to sign a pledge to never commit an act of violence against a female for as long as they draw breath. The building's reception area was specially decorated, while a huge banner promoting White Ribbon was hung above the main entrance.
In clubland, photographs of dozens of star players displaying anti-violence messages were being uploaded to social media platforms.
St. George Illawarra Dragons star, Josh Dugan and White Ribbon Day. Source: Supplied
Throughout the day Origin stars Josh Dugan, Tim Grant, Chris McQueen and Josh Reynolds all posted their own powerful messages. Kangaroos skipper Cameron Smith and Australia teammate Robbie Farah, joined the cause from England.
As these preparations were being finalised, so too was a media release from the NSW Police Force that detailed the events leading to Fa'aoso's arrest the previous day.
The dreaded phrase, 'alleged domestic violence incident' appeared in the opening paragraph.
First there was a disagreement with his wife, Tori, at the couple's Ingleburn home. During the argument furniture was up-ended, a door kicked off its hinges and window smashed. Tori flees to a nearby house. Fa'aoso follows and the dispute continues. Police are called. They arrive to see Fa'aoso driving past the second house. They attempt to stop him, but he keeps driving. A pursuit starts. It ends in the same neighbourhood with Fa'aoso taken into custody and hit with three charges: malicious damage, failure to stop vehicle and mid-range drink driving.
Sources close to the quietly spoken 29-year-old were surprised at these police allegations, given that he appeared to be in good spirits during a harbour cruise on Friday night and was looking forward to making a full recovery from a broken neck next month.
Wests Tigers star, Chris Lawrence and White Ribbon Day. Source: Supplied
The White Ribbon walk had barely finished when the news broke. When it comes to bad timing there's rugby league first, daylight second.
On the eve of the season launch, Ben Barba was stood down for behavioural issues that included concerns around the treatment of his partner, Ainsle Currie. On the eve of Women in League Round, the NRL Integrity Unit launched a probe into assault allegations against Ben Te'o, who was ultimately cleared. On the eve of White Ribbon Day, Fa'aoso is issued with an AVO.
In response to the police statement, Manly issued a rebuttal on behalf of the family and Tori.
"The family has asked us to make it clear that this is not a domestic violence matter," the Sea Eagles statement read.
No doubt, more facts will be revealed when Fa'aoso fronts Campbelltwon Local Court today.
Watching closely will be White Ribbon, which declined to comment last night. A spokesman described the NRL's effort as "fantastic".
Presumably the NRL would be equally keen to promote road safety. But that choice is no longer in their hands.

And


Former Bomber Nathan Lovett-Murray. Photo: Sebastian Costanzo
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Recently retired Essendon veteran Nathan Lovett-Murray has admitted himself to a rehabilitation clinic for treatment for alcoholism.
The Bomber utility, who retired at the end of the 2013 season after 145 games over 10 years with the club, only recently returned from the International Rules series in Ireland, where he was part of the soundly beaten Australian indigenous team.
Lovett-Murray has dealt with alcohol-related issues previously during his career, but sources say he had begun drinking heavily since the end of the AFL season in August. Last week he recognised the extent of the problem and voluntarily checked into a rehabilitation program.
Lovett-Murray, who turned 31 on Monday, is active in indigenous welfare, and has long been a mentor not only to Essendon’s indigenous players but those across the competition. Essendon has offered him a post-retirement community role should he wish to take it. The club, the AFL Players Association and his management are providing support.
AFLPA general manager of player relations Ian Prendergast on Tuesday evening urged media to respect Lovett-Murray’s privacy during his rehabilitation.
‘‘This is a personal health issue and we would ask that Nathan’s privacy be respected,’’ he said. ‘‘The period after retiring from football can be difficult, and the chance to recover without undue and damaging public scrutiny is important.
‘‘We have services available to offer assistance to Nathan and he has the continuing support of the players’ association and the AFL community during this time.’’
Essendon chief executive Ray Gunston said the club had offered its full support to Lovett-Murray’s family. ‘‘Our first priority is the health and welfare of Nathan,’’ he said.
‘‘We have been in contact with his family and offered our full support to help with his recovery.’’
Lovett-Murray played only three senior games in 2013, his final appearance with the Bombers being the round 23 clash with Richmond at the MCG.
He has pursued diverse interests outside football, establishing a record label and helping to manage indigenous hip-hop artists. Last year, just after signing a new one-year deal with Essendon, he told Fairfax Media he was looking to move on to other professional pursuits.
‘‘I’m keen to pursue the next stage of my life,’’ he said. ‘‘I’m really keen to get into sports management, so I’m looking at managing and mentoring indigenous athletes, but I also want to be more involved with the footy club with the indigenous programs they run here and some welfare stuff they do here at the club.’’

[Fred]

I think there's unhealthy drinking habit in Australia in General

[AFLcrap1]

& nothing will change that.

[adamj1300]

I think there's unhealthy drinking habit in Australia in General

if you note in the last 5 or so years there has been a big push on the governments behalf, warning people to drink responsibly. over the years as well our social behaviors has changed and its a lot better than what it use to be.

society will never be perfect, its easy to point fingers and blame on every aspect on a nations culture, but if you compare our drinking & behavior habits to many other countries it would be one of the better ones out there,

[NRLCrap1]

Pressure.

That's what it is, and alcohol is seen as instant relief.

[Swans4ever]

Maybe it's because footballers are so regimented now during the year - like there's not many breaks during the year.

[ParraEelsNRL]

FMD, people have drank whatever they can drink to get off their heads since they first worked out how to make beer in Noahs day.

The Terrorgraph ain't telling anyone something new.

[cos789]

if you compare our drinking & behavior habits to many other countries it would be one of the better ones out there,

Australia is easily one of the worst countries wrt to it's binge drinking culture which is deeply imbedded in our way of life. We cannot blame sportsmen for the culture of past generations but it is very sad we cannot drag up a few sportsmen as role models to promote change.

[cos789]

if you compare our drinking & behavior habits to many other countries it would be one of the better ones out there,

Australia is easily one of the worst countries wrt to it's binge drinking culture which is deeply imbedded in our way of life. We cannot blame sportsmen for the culture of past generations but it is very sad we cannot drag up a few sportsmen as role models to promote change.

[NRLCrap1]

If I remember my history it goes back to the Irish part of our early immigration. Whilst the English love a beer, the Irish love it more. Combine that with our warmer climate and the lack of law early on......