A V-Line Life Skills Training program was conducted at Avenel Football Netball Club on Thursday 27 June.
With a focus on ‘Understanding Alcohol’ the session was delivered by former Fremantle Docker and St Kilda star Heath Black along side Stefan Gruenert from Odyssey House.
About 30 under 18 footballers and netballers from the club and surrounding areas listened intently as Heath Black drew on his personal experiences and his own battle with alcohol. The honesty from Black was at times confronting as he talked through his struggle as alcohol took control of his life.
The early joviality of the participants in the session quickly evaporated as they understood the serious of the discussion and the dangers of excessive alcohol consumption. Black discussed how alcohol influenced his decision making, led him to be surrounded by negative influences, put enormous pressure on his close friends and family and ultimately almost cost him his football career.
Peer group pressure was identified as a key driver to poor decision making and errant behaviour with Black reinforcing the need for teenagers and young adults to make ‘smarter decisions’ and to think of the consequences of their behaviour.
Sponsored by V-Line, this was the fourth of these sessions conducted around the Goulburn Murray region this season with similar sessions held at Barooga FC and Deniliquin Rovers FC. Former North Melbourne and Geelong Premiership Player Cameron Mooney presented a session on "Supporting Your Mates" at Tallygaroopna FC earlier in the season.
Last Modified on 15/12/2014 12:39