Less alcohol could make for more inclusive community sports clubs

Embargoed until: Publicly released: 2023-10-11 03:00

New Zealand

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A small qualitative study found that competitive masculinity and excessive drinking dominate in community sports clubs, leaving those who don’t conform feeling left out. Researchers spoke with 10 men and two women who belonged to a range of sports clubs in Greater Wellington, NZ. Participants (both male and female) who were not in the dominant male group in the sports clubs explained how anti-social behaviours, such as misogyny, violence and excessive alcohol consumption, denied them the opportunity to freely participate in club activities and left them feeling alienated. The authors say changes are required in sports clubs around alcohol accessibility, availability and promotion, to change current club cultures and cultures.