VAFA 2019: VAFA to discuss relaxing alcohol laws at games

The VAFA could break from tradition and soon allow alcohol to be consumed at its games as clubs push for the competition to relax its stance.

Fans celebrate at the Premier C grand final. Picture: David Crosling

The VAFA could break from tradition and allow alcohol to be consumed at its games.

The competition has long refused the sale of alcohol until after the final siren at its games but the VAFA board is set to consider relaxing its stance on the ban.

VAFA chief executive Brett Connell said the competition had been asked to review its alcohol policy at a recent member’s meeting.

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“There’s always rumblings, people would like us to provide our clubs with more flexibility at lunches and being able to serve alcohol,” Connell said.

“It’s discussed but it’s not something that raises its head regularly but the members are obviously keen to know what our position would be on it.

The board will consider a review at its board meeting on May 6.

Connell said it would then go to a working party if a review was approved.

“It ranges from everything from alcohol at grounds, serving of, licencing … there’s a whole ranges of matters that need to be considered,” he said.

“I won’t pre-empt anything. The board has to consider whether they’d allow a working party to start something and work from there.”

Fans could soon celebrate with a beer in the VAFA. Picture: David Crosling

Clubs can serve alcohol by application for luncheons between noon and 2pm.

A survey in August last year showed 77 per cent of respondents supported “a review of the current rules relating to consumption of alcohol on VAFA match days”.

In a statement, Connell said some concerns about relaxing the VAFA’s stance included:

— “The potential reputational loss for the VAFA.

— “The loss of this as a point of difference for our Association when attracting players and their families to our clubs.

— “If we do relax our rules, this may inhibit future grants and funding opportunities with various levels of government and place under threat some of our existing partnerships.”

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