Tiwis weed out dope smokers

Tiwi Islands football selectors have adopted a strict “no ganja” policy to pick the representative side for Saturday’s curtainraiser game to the Western Bulldogs-Port Adelaide AFL clash at Marrara Oval.

Tiwi Islands Football League president Kingsley Barker said only players that did not smoke ganja (marijuana) were eligible to play the game against Katherine.

The new selection policy has already passed its first test after a team of non-ganja smokers beat an opposition side made up of marijuana puffers in a series of practice matches.

“We’re doing this in the interests of both communities (Bathurst and Melville Islands) and to promote a healthier lifestyle,” Barker said. “Footballers are the role models of both communities and as such need to be seen setting the right example.”

The Tiwi Islands have produced champion AFL footballers like Maurice and Dean Rioli, Michael Long and Ronnie Burns.

And Barker said the practise matches had shown that with greater stamina and superior fitness would prevail against those who chose to smoke dope.

“The players who did not smoke ganja often came from behind to win because there is obviously a lot of talent and not great stamina among the gunja smokers,” he said.

An honesty method has been employed, with selectors relying on smokers and non-smokers to put their hands up in preference to testing for the drug.

And the selection criteria does not stop there, with cigarette smokers and alcohol drinkers also being targeted by selectors.

Barker said non-cigarette smokers and players who drink alcohol in moderation or not at all will be given preference.

“If we have got two players vying for one position and they are smokers and non-smokers, the one who does not smoke will be given the nod,” Barker said.

“The response from the players has been very encouraging, even to the extent that those who have been ganja smokers in the past have indicated their desire to give up.”

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: 11th August 2004
Source: Northern Territory News (Australia)
Author: Grey Morris
Copyright: 2004 Northern Territory News
Contact: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Website: http://ntnews.news.com.au/