SCOTCH whisky employees have teamed up with a football team to promote a major responsible drinking campaign.
The Drink Positive alcohol education programme, run in partnership with the Scottish Football Association and Diageo, will deliver training to football fans, coaches and players on the effects alcohol has on the body, equipping them with facts on how to lead a balanced lifestyle.
Using the William Hill Scottish Cup as a platform, the campaign has a goal of reaching a million Scots with the Drink Positive messaging.
The group of Diageo employees joined East Fife FC chairman Jim Stevenson and vice chairman David Marshall at Bayview Stadium ahead of their fourth round game, for a unique opportunity to see the Scottish Cup Trophy up close.
The special Scottish Cup Trophy tour of the region, which included a visit to Diageo’s Cameronbridge Distillery and Leven packaging plant, aims to engage football fans in Fife with the Drink Positive campaign, with the club using this opportunity to support the campaign and drive the conversation around responsible drinking.
Stevenson of East Fife FC said: “Football plays an integral role in communities across Scotland and as a club we have a collective responsibility to promote a balanced approach to alcohol consumption.
“It’s important for our supporters and players to recognise the dangers of excessive drinking, and for our coaches and players to help spread the responsible drinking message.”
SPFL members East Fife FC will play Greenock Morton FC at home this weekend (Saturday 19 January) in the William Hill Scottish Cup.
Fife is home to Diageo’s Cameronbridge Distillery, the oldest and largest grain distillery in Europe, as well as nearby packaging site at Leven. With around 1000 people employed at its sites in Fife, it is hoped staff will be inspired to become Drink Positive ambassadors.
Steve Blake of Diageo said: “We are proud to welcome the Scottish Cup to our Diageo sites in Fife. It’s visit marks an important part of our national responsible alcohol campaign and allows us to engage our employees and the wider community on the importance of responsible drinking.
“Having the support of East Fife FC for this initiative is fantastic and an integral part of helping us promote this important message.”
The Drink Positive campaign, which launched in September, is providing alcohol awareness training to amateur football coaches across Scotland.
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