Star club reopens bar after booze ban fails

Drop in income and membership too big to sustain, says chairman

A rugby league club which led the way in banning booze from its clubrooms has turned on the beer taps again, after fears its alcohol- free stance would see it go under.

As pressure mounts on the Government to introduce legislation which would limit alcohol sponsorship in televised sport, the importance of drinking to the livelihood of grassroots clubs has been highlighted by Richmond Rovers’ failed experiment.

The famous Auckland sporting club, based in the Auckland suburb of Grey Lynn, closed its bar for a season in 2014, but chairman Gus Fepuleai said the club struggled financially as a result.

“We gave it a go to see what it’s like, and try to iron out some things that were happening at the time in relation to alcohol,” he said. “We found . . . we weren’t getting many members into the club to socialise, as you do after a game — that’s a big part of any sport — because there was no bar.”

Fepuleai said the alcohol- free stance was welcomed by residents near Grey Lynn Park, where the Rovers play their home games.

“In the end it was good for the community, they had some peace of mind, but for the growth of membership for the club, it was diminishing.”

Richmond Rovers has a proud history. Former Kiwis stars to play for the club include Nigel Vagana, Fred Ah Kuoi, Steve Matai, David Solomona, Evarn Tuimavave, Bert Cooke, Tom Baxter, Shane Varley, Joe Vagana and Cliff Johnson.

But when the flow of beer from the taps stopped, so too did an important income stream for the club.

After only one season without grog Richmond brought the booze back during the 2016 season.

Fepuleai said serving alcohol was crucial for keeping grassroots sports clubs in business.

“That’s just the way New Zealand is, the fabric of our sport, it’s part and parcel of it.

“If you want to raise some money, apart from raffles . . . it’s the only way you can raise money.”

Fepuleai said the club’s issues with alcohol- related behaviour had dimini shed, and pointed to the club’s approval for a liquor licence as evidence.

“We have strict plans in place of how to manage that, we reduced our hours rather than being open all hours of the night, the licensing committee have approved what we have [ done].”

Although the experiment only lasted a year, Fepuleai said it was worthwhile.

“We had to do it because we didn’t know what it would be like . . . and it really impacted the attendance.

“At least we . . . tested the waters.”

A spokeswoman for the Auckland Rugby Union said she was unaware of any clubs that were not serving alcohol, while an Auckland Football Federation spokesman said bar takings are generally “a vital source of income” and he would be “surprised” if any clubs closed their bars.

Former Kiwis coach Graham Lowe — who chaired a panel advising a significant shake- up of alcohol advertising and sponsorship — said Richmond Rovers should be commended for their efforts.

“It lifts the lid off an i ssue that most community clubs face, and they’re all trying to do the right thing, trying to support their families and keep the club going, so they need help.”

Lowe said he didn’t think the risk to the community caused by amateur clubs was the same as alcohol brands sponsoring professional sport.

“I don’t think that Richmond serving alcohol at their club is harming youth, if it’s done responsibly. . . . The big thing is professional sport. Kids watch professional sport on TV, that’s where it’s got to start.”