MEMBERS of the Seaham Storm Baseball Club have plenty to be proud of.

The Club has been actively inclusive for many years and they have recently been recognised as the 10,000th Club to join the Good Sports program operated by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation.

The Good Sports Program is Australia’s largest community health sports program which has been helping build strong community sporting clubs across Australia for over 20 years.

The Program works with clubs across the country, teaching leaders and administrators how to structure their club activities to encourage healthier behaviour, and become safer, more welcoming and family-friendly places to enjoy sport.

The program was designed as an alcohol management program – a way to change the drinking culture associated with sport.

Now, 10,000 Good Sports clubs are using the program’s free tools and resources to build a policy around alcohol management, smoking regulations, mental health, illegal drugs and safe transport.

The two-step online accreditation program is free for all Australian community sporting clubs.

It’s simple to use and designed with busy volunteers in mind.

The benefits for clubs include engaging volunteers and attracting members, guidance on complying with legal requirements, access to tools, resources and support from program staff.

Mark Glanville of the Drug and Alcohol Foundation told News Of The Area, “Seaham Storm Baseball Club has joined Good Sports which is the biggest free health program in Australia.

“It is aimed at community sports clubs being responsible, the program includes responsible consumption of alcohol, an illegal drug policy, a safe transport policy, getting home safely and a mental health program.”

Being a part of Good Sports shows that the Seaham Storm Baseball Club is a family friendly club.

Seaham Storms Ray Crosby is proud to be part of a program which is about inclusivity and responsible drugs and alcohol programs.

Ray Crosby said, “Seaham Storm plays in Newcastle Toronto Maitland Belmont and Nelson bay in their regular competitions.”

The club has a proud tradition of inclusion.

“For last 24 years girls and women have played in open competition with one of our girls who came up through juniors having gone on and pitched for Australia in the Australian Baseball Team.”

 

By Marian SAMPSON