Reaction to Barty’s on-air beer shows some Aussies want booze banned from sport

Criticism of Ash Barty’s on-air Open celebration has prompted a debate over the role of beer in sport, showing a surprising number of Aussies are over it.

Criticism over Ash Barty sipping a beer during her post-match interview after her nation-stopping Australian Open championship masterclass last week has fuelled a debate over Australia’s “obsession” with alcohol.

Aussies have been weighing in since former Australian Idol presenter James Mathison criticised Channel 9’s live coverage of Ash Barty’s celebrations after her nation-stopping Australian Open championship masterclass.

The three-time Grand Slam winner cracked open a Corona and raised a toast with the rest of the panel.

It seemed like an innocent act at the time, but after Mathison’s remarks suggesting the clip highlighted Australia’s “glorification and glamorisation of alcohol” — which he said was “normalised to the point where we can’t even celebrate success without booze on live TV” — some have been calling for the role of alcohol in sport to be reconsidered.

Our glorification and glamorisation of alcohol in this country is normalised to the point where we can't even celebrate success without booze on live TV. It's bizarre.
Imagine if this was in Canada and the broadcaster hoisted a joint onto their new champion? https://t.co/QVyYet4bFY

— James Mathison (@jamesmathison) January 29, 2022

Ash Barty enjoying a cold one.

Social media comments fuelled with passion have flooded in, responding to Mathison’s remarks, suggesting that sport fans, Australian Open spectators and Twitter users nationwide have plenty to say on the presenter’s point and on the issue of Australia’s alcohol obsession in general.

The strong, disproportionate reaction from people about a very sensible comment just proves that you were right. We are so proud of not having a religion, or not being gun nuts like Americans… but we’re just fanatics about something else.

— Hazel Bunny (@hazelbunny09) February 1, 2022

He’s not wrong. Alcohol and gambling is glorified in this country, a country which has a massive problem with alcohol and gambling, which leads to the other big problem, domestic violence.

— YB (@YummyBaklava) February 1, 2022

There have been recent calls to ban the inclusion of alcohol in sporting celebrations and reduce the coverage of alcohol consumption on live broadcasts of sporting events, prompted by Aussies who are not happy with the emphasis that athletes, sporting events and broadcasters are placing on alcohol use in Australian culture.

It would be even better if every sport in Australia banned the use of alcohol in team celebrations https://t.co/RQQY7PMoWr

— Definitely (@Definit02209600) January 17, 2022

Hey #AusOpen and @wwos Could you NOT put so much emphasis on alcohol in the grandfinal post-match this time. Your panel falling over themselves to throw beers at @ashbarty and get alcohol in the shot last night was cringy. Meant to be role models. pic.twitter.com/JRGJw68gNx

— QLDCountry GP (@QLDCountryGP) January 30, 2022

Should alcohol continue to have a role in sport?

While Barty’s on-air beer prompted this week’s debate, it’s far from the first broadcasted sporting celebrations that have included alcohol over recent years.

Newly appointed Australian of the Year, Dylan Alcott, admitted to sneaking a couple of cheeky beers into his water bottle, which he sipped in his Australian Open post-match interview.

🍺 in the water bottle? The rules are different when you've retired! 🤣🤣 You've earned it Dylan, enjoy! 👊#AusOpen - Live on Channel 9 and 9Now pic.twitter.com/hUqmI6eoII

— Wide World of Sports (@wwos) January 27, 2022

Champagne showers are considered the norm in Formula 1 celebrations, alongside Daniel Ricciardo’s post Italian Grand Prix “shoey”, which is set to be a long lasting memory for Aussie motorsport fans.

Totally wrong James. I love your columns and think you are incredibly insightful. But part if aus culture, if any culture, is to celebrate after a win. She wasn't doing teq slammers. Man you have this wrong. This isn't going to promote underage drinking. This is a celebration.

— TM (@sofaking99) January 31, 2022

The consumption and provision of alcohol is legal in Australia and at sporting events and is considered a widely accepted practice.

Partners of the Australian Open also include alcohol providers including Canadian Club, Peroni and Gordon’s, to name a few.

During the tournament, Melbourne Park alcohol marquees were stationed outside the arenas at Grand Slam Oval as visitors were encouraged to enjoy a beverage whilst cheering on their tennis heroes. There is an obvious benefit for businesses that the consumption of alcohol from athletes and spectators provides.

It is evident that the use of alcohol in sports is currently considered a quintessential part of Australian culture, business and history.

So why in particular has Barty’s afterparty sparked demand for this narrative to change?

Dylan Alcott promoting Dylan Allfroth Day as part of a beer campaign. Picture: David Caird

From 2021 when Dylan Alcott won the 2021 US Open.

'Alcott, with the championship trophy in his right hand, used his left to pour beer into the cup before downing the drink in celebration'

No drama then James, why now with Ash Barty?https://t.co/3QactidCKy

— Kevin Pollard (@football_roos) February 1, 2022

Why no shot at Kyrgios for sneaking a beer during a match?
Or Alcott with beer in his water bottle. Or Dan Riciardo and the “shoey”?
Why single out Barty?

— Yikko (@RichardBroad17) February 1, 2022

Twitter users supported Mathison’s concerns, and criticised the lack of role-model behaviour that incidents of sports people drinking on television promoted for younger Australians.

Research has supported the link between the consumption of alcohol and violent, dangerous and aggressive behaviours from spectators at major sporting events. In addition to this, alcohol overconsumption has proven links to incidents of domestic violence and drug abuse.

As a result, Aussies have questioned whether drinking is really a practice that should be glorified by some of Australia’s sporting icons, given the risks, consequences and triggers this can present.

The Chairs of Tennis Australia, Jayne Hrdlicks & 9 Media should hang their heads in shame after trickling Ash Barty into a sleezy beer commercial after winning the Australian Open. Asking Indigenous icon Ash to choose a beer ignores widespread Australian Indigenous alcoholism.

— John bell (@Johnbel76118069) January 31, 2022

On the other hand, if athletes and spectators are provided with the choice and are not forced to participate in alcohol consumption following an event, and viewers choose to tune in post-match, is this really an issue? Those who want to see it, see it, those who don’t, don’t.

During the Australian Cricket Team’s Ashes champagne spray, Usman Khawaja simply left the stage during this period as a result of his religious beliefs. The remaining team quickly ended the spray, put the alcohol aside and continued to celebrate with Ussie. No Worries.

Should Australians continue to crack open a cold one or begin visualising sporting celebrations without alcohol? Like the example of the Australian cricket team, can we have both, or should sporting celebrations with alcohol be banned and saved for off-air?

Should alcohol continue to be sold, consumed and used in celebrations at major sporting events? Have your say in the comments.