Publicity about the Athletic Marist Rugby Football Club's premier team signing a contract aimed at reducing alcohol-related harm in the Waitaki district has generated a "huge" response".
Yesterday, Waitaki community safety officer Alison Banks said she had received reaction from as far afield as China.
Members of the local Students Against Driving Drunk (Sadd) group mentioned it at a meeting this week, saying how impressed they were with it.
Police from throughout the country had also commented on it and it was mentioned at the Alcohol Advisory Council of New Zealand's (Alac) conference in Auckland this week.
Mrs Banks said she had also been approached by "heaps of people", of all ages, who were impressed with the initiative.
The contract is a trial this season and, if successful, other sports clubs will be approached.
