Objectives: To determine the acceptability of intervention strategies that increase the responsible service of alcohol by non-metropolitan rugby league clubs.
Method: Rugby league clubs were provided an information kit and advice by local public health workers, police and a lead agency regarding their responsible service of alcohol practices. Rugby League clubs and public health workers completed an acceptability survey at the conclusion of the study.
Results: Data were collected from 160 contactable clubs (100% consent) and 12 of 14 participating public health workers. Almost all clubs reported of contact with the lead agency, public health workers and police to be acceptable. Fifty-nine percent of clubs reported contact with public health workers to be useful. One-third of the public health workers considered that they were not the most suitable professional group to be involved in delivering the intervention.
Conclusions: In spite of a suggested culture of harmful alcohol consumption among rugby league participants and spectators, non-metropolitan rugby league clubs appear receptive to public health strategies that increase their responsible service of alcohol.
Implications: The ability of the public health sector to meet this opportunity appears limited, and may require additional strategies to increase the capacity of public health workers to develop/deliver inter-sectorial interventions in this setting.