SACA members area open to public for Adelaide Oval Test, strict dress code relaxed
Strict entry and dress codes for the exclusive members stand at the Adelaide Oval have not survived the pandemic of 2020.
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For the first time in its history, the South Australian Cricket Association’s members enclosure will be open to the public for this week’s Adelaide Oval Test match.
The strict dress code in the SACA members area will also be dropped for the Australia v India clash, in an effort to reduce queuing at crossover points “from a health and safety perspective”.
With the Oval’s daily crowd limit for the Test expected to about 21,000 due to COVID-19 restrictions, SACA members will be seated around the ground.
SACA spokesman Grant Warland said the members’ strict dress standards – which previously required a shirt with a collar and enclosed shoes for men, and up-market casual dresses and not-too-short skirts for women – was a “casualty of COVID”.
“We’re just getting as many people as we can through to watch the cricket,” Mr Warland said.
SACA has also announced the traditional Village Green area, behind the western grandstand, will have a significantly reduced capacity of 1200 people – down from 8000 – but maintain a combined Pimms, Mumm champagne and gin bar.
New hospitality pop-up areas will also be introduced on the Lyn Fullston Lawns and on Level 5 of the Riverbank Stand, complete with food and drink options comparable to the Village Green.
“Because of COVID-19, we’ve spread the Village Green out across multiple areas,” Mr Warland said.
“It’s a great opportunity for them (non-members) to experience what life as a member is like and so they can see if they want to join up.”
The Hill area in front of the old scoreboard will be closed for the Test, but other bars including the Magarey Bar in the southern stand and the Bodyline Bar in the western stand will remain open.
Close friends and SACA members Amy Schapel and Abby Thomas, both wearing Elle & Elka, are looking forward to dressing up for the Test despite the relaxed dress code.
“That’s part of the charm of the cricket, it’s that effortlessly chic style … it’d be a shame to see that go out the window given the standards aren’t strictly enforced but hopefully they’re back next year,” Ms Schapel said.
“I myself will definitely be subscribing to the SACA membership style standards but it’ll be a bit more relaxed I think.”
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