All Abilities Alliance – a touch footy club that supports people with disabilities – was named the ACT’s top club at the national Good Sports Awards at Parliament House in Canberra today.

The awards recognise Australia’s best community sporting clubs and volunteers for their commitment to building healthy and family-friendly club environments, and their work with the Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s Good Sports program in tackling topics like alcohol, illicit drugs, smoking, mental health and safe transport.

Based in Macgregor, All Abilities Alliance was recognised for its efforts in inspiring positive change and building a healthier and inclusive club environment.

In another win for the club, dedicated volunteer Alicia Hodges was announced runner-up for the 2023 ACT Good Sports Volunteer of the Year award.

The Alliance’s volunteer coordinator, Andrew Moylan said the Good Sports program has given the club a clearly defined approach to their values and goals and has allowed them to build community protective factors.

“Ensuring inclusivity in a world of able-bodied people is the passion behind All Abilities Alliance, ensuring players are accepted, not judged and supported on all levels,” Andrew said.

“We are aware of the impacts of alcohol and other drugs in the sporting world, and by creating a safe environment for players and families, we’re able to help prevent uptake and reduce harms.

“The Good Sports program adds an extra layer of support and enhances communication, allowing our community to be strong, educated and supported both on and off the field,” he said.

The 2023 Good Sports Award winners from the ACT are:

• ACT Good Sports Club of the Year: All Abilities Alliance; Runner-up: Dance Central Canberra.
• ACT Good Sports Volunteer of the Year: Carly Taylor from Abilities Unlimited; Runner-up: Alicia Hodges from All Abilities Alliance.

The Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s ACT Manager, Greg Howe said all award winners and finalists should be incredibly proud of their achievements.

“The Good Sports Awards are the ultimate trophy for any Good Sports club. Every year we get to celebrate incredible work being done by dedicated volunteers in community sport and this year is no different,” Mr Howe said.

“These award recipients are shining examples of the Good Sports program which is helping build a healthier sporting nation by supporting clubs to be the very best they can be.”

Working with almost 12,000 community sports clubs, including more than 200 across the ACT, Good Sports is Australia’s largest community health sports program. In the ACT, it’s managed by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation and funded by the Australian Government.

According to Mr Howe, over the last 25 years, Good Sports has been proven to reduce risky drinking at participating clubs by 37 per cent and has seen a 42 per cent reduction of alcohol-related accidents among Good Sports club members and supporters. The program also increases club members’ confidence to deal with mental health or illicit drug issues.

For more information on the Good Sports Awards, visit goodsports.com.au

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