Preventing Harmful Drinking in the Game of Rugby

Rugby is known for its loyalty, its solid community, and the bonds between players and fans alike. For many of us, it’s also closely linked to a pint! Whether celebrating or commiserating, alcohol is often front and centre.

This isn’t about eradicating alcohol from rugby culture. Drinking socially can bring communities together for the better. However, too often, a line is crossed, and what starts as social drinking quickly becomes harmful.

Read on as we analyse the relationship between rugby and drinking, the ways harmful drinking can affect players and fans, and how we can cultivate a rugby community that is just as fun, vibrant and connected, without crossing that dreaded line.

Drinking Culture in the Game of Rugby

Why do we associate the game of rugby with drinking?

For many players and fans, it’s impossible to imagine rugby without its drinking culture.

Having a few drinks during the match is more common than not. As for post-match, you’ve got one side drinking to cope with the loss, and the other side throwing back pints in celebration. All part of the rugby routine.

So, why is alcohol deeply ingrained into rugby culture?

The main reason is bonding. Particularly in the UK, whether it’s having a couple of glasses of wine with a nice meal or bar hopping on a Saturday night, we use alcohol as a way to connect with one another more freely.

Within rugby, this opportunity to bond is significant. It fuels passionate fan bases, strong teams, and unforgettable memories.

Tradition is another factor tying rugby and alcohol closely together. Drinking before, during and after matches feels like a ritual for many; something they wouldn’t even consider could be harmful.

When drinking harms the rugby community

From university, rugby students are drinking more than their peers. Whilst part of this is based on bonding and tradition, the troubling side cannot be ignored. Binge drinking is normalised in many student rugby communities, with alcohol sometimes used as a punishment, or a tool for extreme peer pressure in initiation ceremonies.

In professional rugby players, we see similar patterns of behaviour cropping up. A study of a New Zealand rugby team found that the average man was drinking 10 or more drinks per session, and the average woman 5-6 drinks. Given the importance of rugby players staying healthy, binge drinking culture poses a serious threat to the long-term fitness of rugby players.

Anyone involved with rugby, player or not, is bound to be influenced by such an intense drinking culture, potentially worsening energy levels, motivation, sleep quality, and specific mental health problems.

Why is Alcohol Detrimental for Rugby Players?

Most of us are aware of the dangers of alcohol, at least on a basic level. How about its impact on rugby performance?

We’ve all heard of the player who had high hopes for a future in rugby, but spent too many weekends in clubs, and too many evenings downing pints with mates.

There’s no getting around the fact that alcohol impairs recovery, making it much harder for heavy drinkers to maintain or improve their fitness level, stay hydrated, and avoid injuries. Concentration levels are also affected, so players who are all too familiar with their liquor can struggle to stay alert at training.

The physical and mental risks of drinking too much alcohol are endless. On a minor level, players may find they feel extremely tired, moody and anxious, impacting their love for the game, their relationships, and their ability to progress within the sport.

Let’s not ignore the severe end of the scale. We tend to think addiction could never happen to us, but it’s a real possibility. Plenty of rugby players become dependent on alcohol, sometimes developing an addiction which will impact them for the rest of their lives.

No amount of alcohol detoxing or rehabiliation, regardless of how effective, can ensure someone stays sober for life. This is why encouraging healthier relationships with alcohol is so important within rugby environments.

Preventing Harmful Drinking in Rugby

What would a healthy drinking culture look like within the rugby community, and is it even possible?

Of course it is! Everyone’s on their own journey, but some players and fans are choosing to drink more sensibly, and others are going 100% sober, and finding they are happier than ever.

Preventing harm doesn’t mean telling those around you to stop drinking. It means creating a safe space for people to develop healthier habits around alcohol, by opening up options and reducing pressure.

Think of it as an evolution of social events. The traditions can still be kept intact, but why not also offer quality mocktails, or plan fun activities that don’t involve heavy drinking?

At a club level, shifting attitudes towards harmful drinking can influence the wider group significantly. Small structural changes are key:

• Replacing alcohol-based prizes with other rewards
• Arranging check-in sessions for people who struggle with alcohol use
• Organising events where drinking isn’t the main focus

The key goal is to reduce the harms of alcohol, without taking away the element of choice. That way, anyone who realises they need support further down the line will know they can reach out for help comfortably.

Tackling Barriers to Change

Encouraging healthy drinking in a rugby community is rarely going to be simple. Let’s explore some common barriers and how they can be tackled effectively.

1. Peer pressure

Pressure to drink doesn’t stop when we’re teenagers, and it’s something that plagues rugby teams in particular.

Modelling healthier habits is the way to go. Even if resistance is strong to begin with, after some time passes, it’s likely that peer pressure will drop off and people will better understand.

2. Finances

Lots of clubs are limited in their options for sober activities.

Free or budget-friendly events, such as walks and quizzes, can keep the community spirit going without breaking the bank.

3. Traditions

Embracing healthier drinking doesn’t mean letting go of tradition completely. Experiment with new traditions alongside old ones!

Influencing the Next Generation

We already know that harmful drinking often starts early in rugby. Even if young people aren’t actively pressured to drink, they see it all around them, making it harder for them to escape unhealthy attitudes and behaviours relating to alcohol.

However rugby culture evolves, young people will simply adapt. However, this all depends on delivery.

Modelling will always be more effective than lecturing. Instead of judging youth on their relationships with alcohol, if older players and supporters simply lead by example, the next generation are more likely to follow suit.

Even if Gen Alpha doesn’t end up embracing moderate drinking with open arms, they may be more aware of the consequences of alcohol use, which would represent a significant change within this world of rugby.

Conclusion

Nobody wants to feel judged for enjoying a few drinks on match day. Striking a healthy balance is the aim here.

With small steps towards healthy habits, rugby players and supporters can feel comfortable choosing sobriety or moderation without losing out on an incredible social life, and connections with long-term friends and acquaintances.