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Round 9 of the Guinness Premiership on Saturday 20th December has been selected to promote responsible drinking and activities at the home grounds will be tailored to educating supporters on the subject. Clubs will also give out festive pocket-size ‘tip cards’ to rugby fans at all six home grounds that weekend.

London Irish left to right:Shane Geraghty, Richard Thorpe, Steffon Armitage, Bob Casey and Topsy Ojo.

Entitled ‘Tips for a Christmas to remember’, the cards contain practical tips, unit guidelines, and links to a 24 hour helpline and drinkaware.co.uk. Tips include ‘Avoid drinking on an empty stomach’, ‘Include soft drinks in your celebration’ and ‘Don’t leave yourself vulnerable – plan your journey home.’

The Drinkaware logo will be seen on-pitch at the televised game at Bath and match programme content at all clubs will also offer responsible drinking advice.

The Guinness Premiership Round 9 games on Saturday 20th December include London Wasps v Saracens at 14.15, Bath Rugby v Sale Sharks at 14.45, Leicester Tigers v Newcastle Falcons at 14.45, and London Irish v Gloucester Rugby, Northampton Saints v Harlequins and Worcester Warriors v Bristol Rugby all kicking off at 15.00.

Bath Rugby v Sale Sharks will be broadcast live on Sky Sports from 2.15pm, and ITV4’s Guinness Premiership highlights show broadcast at 6.30pm on Sunday 21st December will be anchored from London Irish v Gloucester Rugby.

Mark McCafferty, Chief Executive of Premier Rugby, said: “The Drinkaware responsible drinking message is an important one and the Guinness Premiership clubs have set-aside Round 9 on 20th December, well-placed within the festive season, to help communicate Drinkaware’s messages and suggestions to fans for a safe and happy Christmas and New Year.”

Drinkaware’s CEO, Chris Sorek, said: “Drinkaware is delighted to support the Guinness Premiership’s responsible drinking weekend. By distributing tip cards at rugby fixtures, we hope to offer practical guidance to club fans who want to have a merry – and memorable - Christmas.”

Up to a million tip cards have been distributed to over 2000 pubs across the UK, and a further 10,000 will be given to taxi passengers in London throughout December.

Drinkaware.co.uk, the UK’s leading source of information on the effects of alcohol, offers further advice and information, including two short films which will also be placed on other broadcast sites.

-Ends-

For further information please contact:
Emily May
Communications Officer
The Drinkaware Trust
Tel: 020 7307 7459
Email: emay@drinkawaretrust.org.uk

Notes to Editors:
The Drinkaware Trust

• The Drinkaware Trust is an independent charity set up by agreement of government, health and drinks industry leaders in 2006. Its sole purpose is to provide credible, independent and authoritative advice about alcohol to consumers, focussing on under-18s and adults aged 25-44 whose drinking puts them at risk of long-term harm.

• The Guinness Premiership Clubs for the 2008/09 Season are: Bath Rugby, Bristol Rugby, Gloucester Rugby, Harlequins, Leicester Tigers, London Irish, London Wasps, Newcastle Falcons, Northampton Saints, Sale Sharks, Saracens and Worcester Warriors.  Visit www.guinnesspremiership.com for further information and for tickets to any of the Guinness Premiership matches on Saturday 20th December visit www.guinnesspremiership.com/tickets.

Page last updated by

Unknown, 10 May 2012.