Promoting good behaviour

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

LOCAL sporting codes are taking action to control alcohol consumption on the sidelines.

In addition, smokefree, drug-free and positive sideline behaviour will be promoted.

Rugby, hockey, rugby league, softball, netball, touch rugby, cricket, Horouta Waka Hoe, Mareikura Canoe Club, Uawa Sports Club and Hicks Bay rugby fraternities will introduce designated drinking areas at Tairawhiti sporting venues.

The alcohol-free, abuse-free and smokefree “Ease Up” project aims to educate sporting codes about what they can do to make positive changes in alcohol and drug use, and negative behaviours.

“This cannot be achieved without significant community action at a grass-roots level,” Ease Up Tairawhiti project manager Annaleigh Stills said.

Signage at most council-owned sports grounds would support club management in reinforcing these messages, she said.

“Our goal is to provide a safer and healthier environment for our tamariki.”

She said the project followed on from similar work that Poverty Rugby Football Union did in 2011 with its alcohol-free and smokefree sidelines project.

Support was coming from the Health Promotion Agency, Safe Tairawhiti Community Trust, Gisborne District Council (Tairawhiti Roads), and Hauora Tairawhiti District Health Board.

Annaleigh Stills said the response so far was good.

“We encourage those drinking at grounds to use the designated drinking area provided or licensed premises to consume alcohol responsibly and safely.”