Introduction: Alcohol consumption in Danish sports clubs are a complex and contradictory phenomenon. Because of a Danish liberal alcohol culture, alcohol consumption in sports settings may be seen as a matter of course. Internationally, other countries, such as Norway, Sweden and Australian, have taken a critical stand to the use of alcohol consumption in sports settings, and sports clubs are therefore used as a setting for alcohol prevention. The fact that international studies have shown that adult members of sports clubs consume more alcohol than the remaining population, and that adult club members’ alcohol use can influence negatively on the alcohol habits of youth sport club members, can indicate a need of alcohol policy work in Danish sports clubs.
Objective: To examine sports clubs' experiences with implementation of an alcohol policy, in order to develop a basis for decisions on how alcohol policy-work in sports clubs can be initiated in the future. Initiating alcohol policy-work in sports clubs may increase young club members' age for first-time alcohol consumption, and thus prevent the consequences that is associated to early first-time alcohol consumption.
Methods: Based on a perspective of social constructivism, the study aim was addressed by carrying out four focus group interviews with together 29 informants. Thematic analysis was used to analyze focus group data, while existing evidence on the subject was identified through systematic search of the literature.
Results: Through thematic analysis, four main themes were identified. Based on a discussion of the study’s empirical findings and primary literature, it appeared that a sports clubs alcohol policy may lead to changes in the clubs’ alcohol practice if the alcohol policy is seen as a meaningful resource of a preventive character. Moreover, support and guidance from relevant external organizations can contribute to the initiation of alcohol policy work, while changes are made possible through discussion and dialogue.
Conclusion: Like alcohol use in sports setting, the use of sports clubs as alcohol preventive arenas can be complex, as the alcohol culture in sports clubs is composed of several different factors that may influence both sports clubs’ alcohol use, as well as their work with alcohol policy. Based on the empirical findings, along with the existing evidence, the following three recommendations, on how to implement alcohol policy work in Danish sports clubs, were created: Take the implementation context into account, Use dialogue and discussion as tools to make changes in alcohol use, and Receive support from external organizations.
Keywords: Alcohol Prevention, Sports Organizations, Sports Clubs, Empowerment, Setting-based Approach, Alcohol consumption, Alcohol culture, Volunteers, Focus Groups, Social Constructivism.