AFL Barwon renews ‘Love the Game’ commitment

AFL BARWON has extended its commitment to the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation’s Love the Game program for another year.

The renewal of the commitment will see AFL Barwon do everything in its power to disrupt the normalisation of sports betting in the Barwon community through methods of declining sports betting sponsorships and raising awareness about the risks associated with gambling, especially among young people.

AFL Barwon has long been a proponent of Love the Game, joining the foundation’s initiative in 2016 trying to limit exposure of sports gambling advertising, which it believes is at saturation levels.

“We play AFL for the joy it brings us,” AFL Barwon regional manager Bruce Harwood said.

“At AFL Barwon we build friendships and nurture personal growth, leadership skills and other positive attributes.

“AFL Barwon respects that gambling is a legal form of entertainment, but it is not one we believe should be encouraged or promoted.”

AFL Barwon have more than 18,000 registered football and netball players, with 70 per cent of those players being under the age of 18.

These numbers are expected to grow due to increasing amount of registrations in women’s football at both junior and senior levels.

“The Love the Game program supports us by providing information about how gambling works and the potential for negative consequences,” Harwood added.

“It also helps our young players to develop their critical thinking skills before they are legally allowed to place a bet, so they understand the risks.

“By doing our bit, we help young people in our community understand that sports and betting do not have to go together.”

The region of Geelong has stayed firm on its attitude towards sports gambling awareness in the past year, as nine months ago in June 2021, the Geelong Cats publicly announced their re-commitment to the For the Game initiative.

Foundation CEO Shane Lucas said that the Love the Game program unites sporting clubs at all levels, with more than 600 partners signed up across numerous codes throughout Victoria.

“Our research shows that young men aged 18-24 make up one-third of sports bettors in Victoria, and participation in young women is rising,” Lucas said.

“AFL Barwon play an important role in showing young people that they don’t have to place a bet to have skin in the game or to make it more enjoyable.

“Sport is about loving the game, not the odds.”

Anyone negatively affected by their own or someone else’s gambling can access confidential free advice, support, and referral 24/7 on 1800 858 858.