FORMER Melbourne AFL footballer Daniel Ward this week spoke to Peter Jackson VFL club Williamstown about responsible gambling as part of AFL Victoria’s partnership with the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation.
Ward, who is a Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation ambassador, is a passionate advocate for responsible gambling, having overcome his own problems with gambling. In recent years he has shared his story with Victorian country grassroots football clubs about his experiences with gambling to help raise awareness of the risks. This year, his insightful talks will also be given to metropolitan clubs, with Williamstown the second VFL club (the other being Box Hill Hawks, pictured) Ward is speaking to before the end of the 2013 season.
AFL Victoria General Manager, Grant Williams, believes Ward puts a human face to the problems that can be associated with gambling.
“Daniel’s honesty and openness during his club visits helps to raise awareness of the risks of gambling. He speaks candidly to players about his personal experience of struggling with a gambling addiction in the hope they will be able to relate it."
Ward believes raising awareness about responsible gambling at local football clubs is beneficial due to the influence clubs can have within their local communities.
“By talking about my experiences I hope that I might be able to influence players about the risks associated with gambling, and the impact it can have on clubs, friends and family.
“My story not only highlights the consequences of problem gambling, but also tells the story of how I faced my demons to overcome my addiction.”
Around 130,000 Victorians either have a gambling problem, or are considered at-risk of developing a problem. For every person with a gambling problem, there are about five to ten other people close to them who are affected.
AFL Victoria held a special round of competition to recognise Responsible Gambling Awareness Week in May this year. Ward was also involved in AFL Victoria’s Local Government Forum where he discussed his story with an audience of mayors, council officials and football representatives to raise awareness and start a conversation around the issues of problem gambling.
AFL Victoria partners with the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation to help promote responsible gambling to young football players and local communities.
The Foundation runs community education campaigns to raise awareness about responsible gambling and provides a wide range of services to people affected by gambling.
Last Modified on 08/08/2013 11:26