Alcohol Advisory Council
Press release
January 16 2004
Role models on and off the field
Sports people need to be aware that they are role models both on and off the field, says the Alcohol Advisory Council.
ALAC’s comments follow Nelson police condemnation of what they describe as a “culture of drunken yobbos” in the Nelson
Bays Rugby Team. The claim was denied by the local rugby union, which said the cases referred to had arisen from
incidents outside the rugby environment.
However, ALAC Chief Executive Officer Dr Mike MacAvoy says sports people are heroes to the young and whether they like
it or not they are role models, as indeed are parents and other adults.
“Rugby players, indeed all sporting heroes and their representative bodies, have a responsibility to young people and
need to acknowledge the influence their behaviour can have on their young fans.”
ENDS