Victoria Government to SMS suburban footballers to drink safely

Melbourne, Apr. 23 (ANI): Tens of thousands of suburban footballers will get weekly text messages from the Victorian Government telling them to drink responsibly after games.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, taxpayers will fork out 180,000 dollars so that an SMS can be sent to 57,000 footballers, who are signed up to receive updated ladders via text message.

It is part of the Championship Moves campaign and the Victorian Government's controversial "respect agenda".

The texts to be sent to footballers include tailored messages such as "Out in Shepp 2nite? Remember real champs look out for their mates".

Over the current football season there will be more than one million texts sent.

Minister for Respect Justin Madden said it was important to get the message across to young males - "the group most at risk of alcohol-related violence".

"These messages help us go straight to the source and remind young men about how to go out on the town to enjoy their night while looking after their mates," he said. (ANI)