Sports reject healthy living ad series Not picked: Aaron Schultz, with sons Jed and Sam. Photo: Peter Mathew A father has been blocked by the AFL and Cricket Australia from taking out advertisements promoting a healthy lifestyle, with the sporting authorities saying it would conflict with their sponsorships from alcohol and food companies. Leading public health experts seized on the ban, and accused the sporting codes of bowing down to "corporate bullies." Tasmanian Aaron Schultz tried to buy advertising space at Hobart's Bellerive Oval to promote his "Game Changer" campaign against the marketing of junk food and alcohol towards children through sport. Mr Schultz's ad. He hoped to run four 30-second advertisements on the big screens during the North Melbourne versus Sydney game on April 13 at a total cost of $1500, but was told via email by North Melbourne that the AFL "could not accommodate" the ad. It carried the slogan "tackling unhealthy advertising in sport" and the gamechanger.org.au website. Mr Schultz also approached Cricket Tasmania, which have permanent signage rights at the ground, willing to pay up to $15,000 for a space. But an email response from Cricket Australia sent on March 26 said; "Unfortunately your campaign contradicts with some of our contracted partners." Public health expert Mike Daube, director of the McCusker Centre for Action on Alcohol and Youth, said he was amazed sporting bodies would censor public health messages. "It is appalling that alcohol and junk food companies can prevent the communication of healthy messages,," he said. They are simply corporate bullies who will go to amazing lengths to prevent criticisms. Mr Schultz launched his Game Changer campaign in January after becoming concerned by the impact advertising during sport was having on his own children. "They took an interest in cricket this season and I started to watch more with them both at matches here in Hobart and also on television," Mr Schultz said. It wasn't long before I realised the high level of alcohol and other junk products being promoted. It is sending the wrong message to all Australians, not just children. In a recent analysis of three AFL final series games, alcohol promotions were shown an average of 244 times, more than 20 minutes, a match. An AFL spokesman said the code had no contracts with partners that banned advertisements such as Game Changer. The ad was rejected because it was imposing beliefs, he said. "It is the AFL's view that decisions about the amounts and types of food or drink that people consume are decisions for adults themselves, and on behalf of their families," he said. We support messages around the responsible use of alcohol ... but do not seek to impose restrictions. A Cricket Australia spokesman said the responsible drinking category was already filled. "Cricket Australia and Carlton & United Brewery's 'Know When to Declare' responsible use of alcohol advertising is the only advertising of this type we carry," he said.