Veterans of the Australian booze-guzzling spirit Cricket Australia have been accused for refusing to spread the arguably noble message that, “Alcohol and sport don’t mix.”
Cricket Australia: Anti-Anti Drinking?
In an exclusive in the Sydney Morning Herald today, Professor Duabe of the McCusker centre for alcohol and youth stated that the censorship of a Healthway ad promoting an anti-drinking message had a malignant undertone: “Their priorities are clear. They are keen to protect their alcohol sponsors from messages that might offend them but do nothing to stop alcohol promotion that might offend health-promoting sponsors.”
However, the response from Cricket Australia, according to SMH, has been one of brutal honesty – recognizing the prevelance of Australia’s drinking culture and being realistic in their approach, saying the ad was banned “because it conflicted with our continuing position on the relationship
between alcohol and sport, which is one of consumption in moderation.” Fair enough. But surely promoting a sentiment that discourages alcohol in sporting culture isn’t something worthy of being banned altogether? Cricket Australia accepted an alternative ad “Under 18. No Alcohol. The Safest Choice” (well, duh) which may be telling of Cricket Australia’s position. Alcohol and sport don’t mix for under 18’s, but once punters can legally pay up and boost their sponsor’s revenue? Different story.
Then again, perhaps Cricket Australia really are staying true to their perspective of drinking in Australia. Watching the cricket on an achingly hot summer’s day ubiquitously inspires enjoying a coldie in the stands, at the pub, in your sweltering living room. Taking alcohol out of the sport mix would be a victory for our drinking lifestyle that is so often damaging, but it seems Cricket Australia are unashamedly pragmatic in refusing to attempt it. As a Cricket Australia spokesman said to SMH, “It is better to engage with the reality that many fans enjoy a
responsible drink than it is to turn them off with a prohibition message
they don’t believe.”
Via SMH.
Lead image by Ian Waldie via Getty.
