The GAA is to partner with the HSE’s Ask About Alcohol Campaign to encourage fans to “Drink Less and Gain More – On and Off the Pitch” at the All Ireland Football Semi Final in Croke Park on Saturday, August 11th.
This is the game that will feature Dublin and one of Galway, Monaghan or Kerry depending on this weekend’s results.
For the first time, fans attending the match will be able to enjoy an alcohol-free family fun zone at the Cusack Stand both before the games and at breaks in play.
HSE and GAA volunteers will be on hand to engage with fans in the Family Fun Zone. Young supporters will be entertained with face-painting, target games, balloon modelling, the GAA Trophy Parade with the Sam Maguire and Liam McCarthy Cups, and other activities.
Adults will be offered the chance to complete the askaboutalcohol.ie Drinks Calculator or Parent’s Quiz.
Health Message
Each year since 2014, the GAA has nominated one of its All-Ireland semi-finals to promote a significant health message. This year’s “Drink Less, Gain More” initiative follows the success of the “Little Things can improve your game” mental health initiative in 2016, and last year’s #HurlTheHabit quit smoking campaign.
Bringing alcohol messaging to the fore is very much in keeping with recent activity across the GAA.
Since 2014, there has been no sponsorship of any GAA competition by an alcohol company, and no senior inter-county team has an alcohol sponsor.
The consumption of alcohol is highly regulated at Croke Park with no alcohol allowed either in the seating areas or on Hill 16.
The GAA also runs the long-standing ASAP (Alcohol and Substance Abuse Prevention) Programme in partnership with the HSE designed to reduce the harm caused by the misuse of alcohol and other substances.
“We know that alcohol negatively impacts sports performance, but we also know that drinking too much can also have a detrimental impact on our physical and emotional wellbeing, and even our family lives,” said GAA Vice President Jim Bolger.
“We hope that the simple message ‘Drink Less and Gain More on and off the pitch’, delivered in partnership with the HSE on All Ireland semi-final day, will resonate with our players and members alike.”
“Partnering with the GAA in this initiative is helping to create a healthier environment for fans to enjoy their sport,” added Dr Stephanie O’ Keeffe, National Director, Strategy and Transformation at the HSE
“The positive benefits of participating in or supporting any sport, particularly for young people, can be reduced when those sports are a vehicle for poor health choices.”
Low-Risk Approach
“Drink Less Gain More on and off the pitch aims to promote a low-risk approach to alcohol and enjoyment of sport both for athletes and supporters.”
Monaghan and Tipperary All Ireland winning stars and AskAboutAlcohol.ie ambassadors, Sharon Courtney and Noel McGrath were also at the launch yesterday and spoke from their own experience about the importance of the campaign.
“As athletes, we often go long periods without taking a drink at all, and that can be a good thing,” said Courtney who is a sports nutritionist and lecturer as well as captain of the Monaghan Ladies Football team.
“However, research and experience shows that athletes are more likely to binge drink when they do consume alcohol. I find that being mindful of what you drink at all times allows for better gains when it comes to health and fitness on and off the pitch.”
“Sport can be all about extremes, huge highs and devastating lows,” added McGrath.
“But it is usually the little things – when all added up – that make the difference between winning and losing a match. I found the same applies to your health. We don’t need to make massive life-changes to experience visible improvements. Reducing your alcohol intake over a week, or even during a single night out, will result in real gains on and off the pitch.”
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Image Credit: Sam Barnes, Sportsfile
