South Australian community sporting clubs are jumping on board a new State Government program which seeks to prevent harm from sports betting and disrupt the normalisation of gambling in sport.

More than 50 community clubs have already signed up for the Here For the Game Community Program, which was introduced to the public on Friday 12 July at the Goodwood Saints Football Club. In attendance were representatives from the Wings Academy (basketball) and Modbury Soccer Club.

The program is being delivered by the Alcohol and Drug Foundation and is supported by a $1 million State Government funding investment over four years.

Local sports club sign up to tackle sports betting

The Here For The Game Community Program is an accreditation program for local sports clubs to tackle the growing presence of harmful sports betting and gambling in the community. The program celebrates clubs which say ‘no’ to sports betting and sponsorships and educates club members and supporters about the risks of sports betting and gambling.

"For us, it's just about ensuring that sport is about sport and people have a safe space to enjoy sport without the influence of gambling," says Jordan Dodd, President of the Goodwood Saints.

Wings' Jake Takarangi agrees: "This is a fantastic opportunity (for Wings) to be involved with such a programme considering our basketball academy is all about teaching youth at a young level to make smart and informed decisions and that aligns very well with this program."

The five professional teams involved

Here For The Game is an initiative of the State Government’s Office For Problem Gambling and is supported by five professional sporting teams in saying no to sports betting sponsorships – Adelaide United Football Club, the Adelaide Crows, Adelaide 36ers, Adelaide Thunderbirds, and Adelaide Giants.

The Crows' Riley Thilthorpe is one of the program's ambassadors. He learned his craft at the Goodwood Saints and was happy that his old club did not handball this opportunity.

The program is free to join for all local sporting clubs in South Australia and provides resources to help busy volunteers reduce gambling harm.