Cricket association to fine clubs bringing booze to away grounds without permission

ADELAIDE’S biggest cricket competition will fine teams who bring their own booze into an away change room — instead of buying it at the ­opposition’s bar. Here’s why ...

ADELAIDE’S biggest cricket competition will fine teams for bringing booze into an away change room in a bid to revive the tradition of post-game beers in the ­opposition’s bar.

The Adelaide Turf Cricket Association last month announced A1, A2 and A3 teams that took alcohol to an away ground without permission from that club faced a fine of up to $50.

Turf chief executive David Heyzer said clubs had made “quite a few” complaints over losing bar takings and having to clean up empty bottles because opponents were drinking beer among themselves in the visitors’ rooms.

Heyzer said the association did not encourage ­excessive drinking but wanted opposing teams to mingle more after games.

“The old tradition of having a beer after the game with the opposition doesn’t seem to happen these days,” Heyzer said.

“Like a lot of traditions, it seems to be dying off.

“A lot of stuff that happens on the field can be sorted out over a beer.”

“We think it’s important we go back to some of the traditions of cricket.”

Under the rule, which Heyzer described as a “suck and see”, an away team would need the permission of the home club’s secretary to bring alcohol to an opponent’s ground.

“If they’re playing in the middle of the parklands somewhere I’m not trying to stop that but if the licensed premises is there, I expect it to be used,” Heyzer said.

Payneham president Wayne Margitich estimated his club was losing $3000-$5000 in bar revenue each season because opponents drank in the change rooms.

The Dukes have banned players from taking alcohol to other grounds for the past two years.

“At home games our own people will have a carton of beer but must invite the opposition to have one of those beers then come straight upstairs to our bar,” Margitich said.

“It’s about respecting the opposition and the spirit of cricket needs to be engaged.

“Some clubs will leave a mess and not come and spend a cent in our facility or other facilities.”

Margitich believed the association’s $50 fine was “too soft — it should be $100 or more”.

Fulham A-grade captain and chairman Tristan Glover said bringing alcohol into an away change rooms was “a bit rude”.

“The camaraderie that exists between the teams over the years is something we love and it’s best done with a cold beer in our clubrooms after the game,” Glover said.

Pembroke president Michael Wilson said his club agreed with the principle of the new rule but was concerned about the possible fallout.

“I think it’s going to sometimes promote opposition teams finishing their game and going home or back to their own pub if they’ve had a day of heated battle,” Wilson said.

“Thing also get a bit heated on the field and there’s times you don’t always want to mingle.”

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