Improving the implementation of responsible alcohol management practices by community sporting clubs: A randomised controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
Despite an increased prevalence of risky alcohol consumption and alcohol-related harm among members of sporting groups and at sporting venues, sporting clubs frequently fail to implement alcohol management practices consistent with liquor legislation and best practice guidelines. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a multi-strategy intervention in improving the implementation of responsible alcohol management practices by sports clubs.


METHODS
A randomised controlled trial was conducted with 87 football clubs, with half randomised to receive a multi-strategy intervention to support clubs to implement responsible alcohol management practices. The 2-year intervention, which was based on implementation and capacity building theory and frameworks, included project officer support, funding, accreditation rewards, printed resources, observational audit feedback, newsletters, training and support from state sporting organisations. Interviews were undertaken with club presidents at baseline and post-intervention to assess alcohol management practice implementation.


RESULTS
Post-intervention, 88% of intervention clubs reported implementing '13 or more' of 16 responsible alcohol management practices, which was significantly greater than the proportion of control groups reporting this level of implementation (65%) [odds ratio: 3.7 (95% confidence interval: 1.1-13.2); P = 0.04]. All intervention components were considered highly useful and three-quarters or more of clubs rated the amount of implementation support to be sufficient.


CONCLUSIONS
The multi-strategy intervention was successful in improving alcohol management practices in community sports clubs. Further research is required to better understand implementation barriers and to assess the long-term sustainability of the change in club alcohol management practices.
School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.|Hunter New England Population Health, Wallsend, Australia.
Melanie
M
Kingsland
School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.|Hunter New England Population Health, Wallsend, Australia.
Luke
L
Wolfenden
Hunter New England Population Health, Wallsend, Australia.
Jennifer
http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3674-9510
J
Tindall
School of Psychology, Deakin University, Sydney, Australia.
Bosco
B
Rowland
Australian Drug Foundation, Melbourne, Australia.
Maree
M
Sidey
School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.
Patrick
P
McElduff
School of Medicine and Public Health, The University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.|Hunter New England Population Health, Wallsend, Australia.
John H
JH
Wiggers
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019973:Alcohol-Related Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D057191:Capacity Building; D006801:Humans; D009517:New South Wales; D016134:Organizational Policy; D011633:Public Facilities; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D012916:Soccer
alcohol drinking; implementation; intervention; sports