Supporting communities  |  28 Nov 2019

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Community views will be canvassed on a proposal to ban alcohol from rugby league playing fields to tackle unruly behaviour on the sidelines.

The move follows the success of a temporary ban introduced by Christchurch City Council for the 2019 league season.

At a meeting today, the Council’s Sustainability and Community Resilience Committee, of which every City Councillor is a member, decided the community should be consulted on a proposed bylaw amendment to create a permanent alcohol ban.

The ban would apply to rugby league playing fields and adjoining areas while they are in use for the sport from April to August each year. It would not affect clubrooms that hold a liquor licence.

Police would be able to issue instant fines of $250 to people who breach the bylaw.

Canterbury Rugby League (CRL) called for a ban in 2018 saying that local clubs had been dealing with ongoing problems caused by supporters drinking on the sidelines during games.

At that time 70 per cent of 16 clubs reported that alcohol-related problems occurred on a weekly basis.

CRL Club Chief Executive Duane Fyfe welcomed the Committee’s decision to consult on a permanent ban. He says alcohol-related disorder - largely caused by members of the public who were not directly associated with clubs - has caused some members and volunteers to leave local clubs and a ban would help create a safer environment for players and their supporters.

“The temporary ban, as part of a range of initiatives, definitely led to a positive change in attitudes of club members, spectators and players and helped create a more family-friendly environment during games.

"The feedback we've had from the clubs is that they have noticed an improvement and watching games has been more enjoyable.”

He says while the temporary ban was in place there were only eight alcohol-related incidents over the five-month season.

Other rugby league districts who have seen what’s happened in Christchurch and are interested in adopting similar initiatives and plan to approach their local councils, Mr Fyfe says.

Cr Tim Scandrett says there needs to be a proactive response to address alcohol-related disorder at rugby league fields.

“The clubs have asked us for a ban and I think the Council has a duty to respond. They’ve reported that the temporary ban had a dramatic, positive impact on behaviour. There’s also support from the Police, Canterbury District Health Board and the wider rugby league community for a permanent alcohol ban.

“But of course we want to make sure local residents and club members have a chance to give their views on the proposal.”

The proposed bylaw amendment will be publicly notified in mid-December and written submissions will close in late January.

A hearings panel will hear and consider submissions and then report back to the Council in March.

If the proposed Alcohol Restrictions in Public Places Bylaw change is approved, a permanent alcohol ban would be in place by April 2020 before the start of the new rugby league season.