You can now drink at your seat at most of Footy Park!

[Wedgie]

SANFL GIVES FANS A CHOICE AT AAMI STADIUM

Football supporters at AAMI Stadium will be able to choose to take alcoholic drinks to their seats in the 2009 season.

Announcing the relaxation of the rules today, SANFL Executive Commissioner Leigh Whicker said the changes had been made in light of the current financial crisis facing many businesses across Australia.

He said that this could be a tough season for the SANFL and the League wanted to ensure that patrons were provided with a choice that may encourage them to come to AFL matches.

“This is a commercial decision for us,” Mr Whicker said.

“We are dealing currently with some issues regarding match attendances and we consider this revised policy should give some fans a reason to come back to AAMI Stadium and watch live matches.”

Mr Whicker gave his assurance that the changes would be monitored closely to ensure that the comfort of all fans would not be compromised.

“Our primary concern is always to ensure that supporters who come to AAMI enjoy the game in safe, secure, family-friendly conditions, and we will continue to encourage patrons to drink in a responsible manner.”

He said there would be special dry areas created in Bay 102 (public area) and Bay 103 (members’ reserve). These would be filled on a ‘first in, first seated’ basis.

Lids on cups would also deal with the problem of spillage and the restriction of four beers per patron in carry trays will continue. Drinking will not be allowed in the designated standing areas within the Stadium.

Only medium-strength beer would be served at night matches.

Mr Whicker said the current security controls and monitoring of patrons would continue and fewer people congregating around bars in the back road-way area of the stadium would also improve pedestrian traffic flow.

“We’ll be working closely with the Liquor Licensing Commission, the police and both AFL clubs to ensure the success of this move.”

He added the decision was made easier following last year’s successful trial with a section of the stadium and further trials at the recent Twenty20 cricket match and the NAB Challenge trial match.

“The revised policy last year was an outstanding success.

“Given this, we are happy with our decision and confident that this will be welcomed by Power and Crows fans regardless of whether or not they want to drink in their seats.

“AAMI has now been brought into line with other major stadia such as the MCG and Etihad.”

Mr Whicker said the new rule would come into effect from next Sunday afternoon when the Power plays Essendon.

[The Jack]

SANFL GIVES FANS A CHOICE AT AAMI STADIUM

changes had been made in light of the current financial crisis

Is Leigh saying that because of the financial crisis, more people are stressed out and likely to need a drink at the footy??? Seriously though, about bloody time!!!!

[rod_rooster]

Just saw this on the Adelaide Now website and not surprisingly there are lots of comments being left complaining about this move

[Booney]

Mmmm cant wait. A lid on my mid strength while I sit down...

About time I say. Why is it I wont be able to stand and have a beer but I can sit and have one?

Never mind, bottoms up.*

[Punk Rooster]

handy to know if I ever go there...

[Booney]

Well, following Collingwood you wont get to many non Victorian grounds..

[gadj1976]

does anyone think this will bring people back to the footy?

[Barto]

Just saw this on the Adelaide Now website and not surprisingly there are lots of comments being left complaining about this move

It's been about 25 years since it was banned in the seats and it's funny how the mindset of people changes.

I don't know what the problem is, it's much worse for drunkenness the other way. Who here hasn't sculled 3-4 beers at 1/4 time, half time etc because you don't want to miss the game. The other option was to watch it on the TV screen and why the hell would you pay premium prices for an AFL game just to watch it on TV?

[Barto]

does anyone think this will bring people back to the footy?

It might take their minds off the crap that the AFL is serving up with the tinkering of the rules.

Reminds me of when Homer gave up drinking and he's at the baseball.. "Heeeyy.. I never realised this game was so boring".

[Dirko]

A few worried people about this. How can you drink beer and knit at the same time ?

What about those crochet rugs ? Can beer wash out of them ?


Bout time if you ask me. Nothing better then having a beer at the footy !

[Dutchy]

People complain about spilt beer when they changed it at Adelaide Oval members 4 years ago....I havent seen any problems and its been full strength beer and 3 times as long as a day at the footy

When I went to Yankee Stadium they gave me my $14 beer in a milkshake sized cup which only filled 2/3rds of the cup....you would have to be absolutely smashed to spill it, maybe thats a solution to keep everyone happy? probably would cost more though

[Dirko]

They should do it like they did at Wembley years ago, plastic bottles with the lids removed. Hardly a spill in site, and can carry about 10 of the buggers

[Barto]

Nothing better then having a beer at the footy !

I can think of many things.

[Dog_ger]

Dog_ger may be the only person to never see an AFL game in the flesh...?

I may be a drunk, but I see no benefit allowing open alcohol seating at AAMI.

What a Discrace for Familys...!

It's all about $$$ and who cares about your Children/family..!

Shame, Shame, Shame SANFL...!

[MatteeG]

Might put some atmosphere back into Footy Park...

Sorry Dogger, but I have been subject to 'women' at footy park curse like a sailor in front of their own kids at Footy Park and they havent a beer in sight. So not sure how drinking at your seat is gonna change well behaved sober fans like that.

Couldnt believe the people complaining last night on McDimwit and Rowe. Has anyone ever complained when someone has spilt coke or dropped chips on someone? I know what i'd rather wash out...

[AFLflyer]

This makes me so mad - why do adelaidians whinge so much - get a grip!!! friggen get out there and enjoy life, stop whinging at every little thing which gets thrown at us.

this will add atmosphere and enjoyment back into AAMI - no longer will people be hiding out the back drinking. it will be policed - so quit your whinging!!!!!

No one one here (yet) are dead against it, its mostly the ageing baby boomers, who dont say boo at the footy! get the youngsters back to westlakes and create some much needed atmosphere again!

[RustyCage]

Theres a big difference between having a drink in your seat and getting drunk in your seat.

[ForTheLoveOfFooty]

WOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO about time........ Lets all drink, smoke, eat, and watch footy.
Lets get the atmosphere back and BUMS on seats at AAMI.

[Pag]

No reported problems regarding this at the Power/Essendon game on Sunday, although the amount of knitting was significantly lower than what it will be this Friday night.

Any spilt drop should result in jail time I think, this going to the footy thing is too enjoyable for modern society.

[Booney]

Anyone who does complain about this has obviously never been to an SANFL game in their life.