By LAUREN PRIESTLEY
Source: Harbour News

 A century-old club is breaking new ground by going cold turkey this year.
Richmond Rovers Rugby League & Sports Club, based at Grey Lynn Park, has been alcohol-free since March 17.

"We're basically promoting this as a sports club, not a drinking club," chairman Gus Fepuleai says.

"It's about forward thinking and trying to get alcohol right away from our kids. We've got to change that culture of drinking and sports that's been around forever."

The decision was made because of issues with drinking in Grey Lynn Park where antisocial behaviour, noise and litter have been the subject of frequent complaints from neighbours in the past three years, he says.

The club wants to bring the focus back to sport.

"Rugby league has been copping the stick for a long time and it's about time we're doing something positive.

"Someone has to take the lead. It's our performance on the field that is important and looking after the welfare of our players, kids and community."

The club will lose revenue from the bar but will save money by not needing to hire additional staff and extra security at the premises, Mr Fepuleai says.

Grey Lynn Residents Association chairman Dan Salmon says the decision to remove alcohol is a brave one.

The sports club has been working hard to foster relationships with other organisations in the area as well as the park's neighbours, he says.

"I think it's a big and bold step they've made to try and address those issues.

"I really hope they get support from the community and the club for doing it. It's definitely something to watch and hopefully other sports clubs around the country might follow."

Waitemata Local Board deputy chairwoman Pippa Coom says the club has made the decision with its future in mind.

"It's really courageous that they've done it. I know it is a difficult decision for them but I personally think they've really done the right thing."

Mr Fepuleai says the board is also pushing for new facilities at the Grey Lynn Park site and is starting a two to five-year business plan to increase membership with the aim of keeping Richmond going for the next 100 years.

The club wants to take part in the Grey Lynn Park Festival this year and will focus on selling healthy drinks and food at the clubrooms, he says.

"It's about the values and letting the kids know what is right and what is wrong.

"You can access alcohol anywhere. What's the big deal with not having it right in front of our kids' faces?"

Please let your mates know that there will be a Richmond Rovers RLFC Open Age restricted team (under 85kgs) for the 2014 season. Training has already started and will continue every Tuesday and Thursday at Grey Lynn Park. All interested players are to attend training and any further inquiries or questions can be made through George Apelu on 021 612 766.

RICHMOND ROVERS RUGBY LEAGUE & SPORTS CLUB TO BECOME ALCOHOL FREE IN 2014

The Richmond Rovers Board of Directors has taken the lead to make the Richmond Rovers Rugby League & Sports Club an alcohol free club. This means the Richmond Rovers Club will not be serving any alcoholic beverage at the club in 2014 with immediate effect.

This forward thinking move by the Board of Directors is supported by club members but will no doubt have many wondering what is behind this brave change. “The Richmond Club bar will lose some revenue”, says Chairman Gus Fepuleai, but the Board of Directors anticipates positive growth by “building relationships with local businesses, organisations and agencies who are in support of the sports club taking a stand against alcohol”.  Fepuleai’s’ confidence has already gained merit with the club’s alcohol free policy receiving 100% backing from its major sponsors L.J Hooker (Ponsonby), Giltrap Prestige (VW), ACR Roofing and Waterview Laundromat.

Revenue from the Richmond Club bar has been falling for a number of years which has been made worse by the number of volunteer hours and resources required from the Board to organise paid bar staff and security. Add to this the growing complaints and concerns from local Grey Lynn Park residents regarding undesirable drinking behavior in the park’s vicinity.

To combat these problems all senior club alcohol related after match functions, and club social fundraisers will be held at Richmond’s partner premises: The Grey Lynn Tavern, located at 523 Great North Road, Grey Lynn.  The Richmond club will remain open as normal for Junior and Senior team prize-giving, non-alcoholic functions, meetings of local groups, fitness groups, community activities and club run seminars.

Fepuleai believes the “club’s members will support the positive benefits” of a no alcohol tolerance policy following many highly publicised alcohol related incidents of professional rugby league stars from the Australasian NRL competition.  Voicing his proposal in front of a vocal public forum held at the Richmond Rovers Clubrooms on Wednesday 29 January 2014, the Chairman commented that “2014 will be a year of change and the rugby league code itself needs to become more forward thinking”.

Sideline spectators who choose to bring alcoholic beverages to the Grey Lynn Park grounds will be encouraged to drink in moderation, however Fepuleai is under no illusions and understands his and the Board of Directors limitations in addressing this behavior. The Auckland City Council already has imposed liquor ban notices surrounding Grey Lynn Park and other parks throughout the city. Fepuleai has indicated that “we will strongly encourage and promote to our Richmond club members, family, friends and supporters to consume alcohol in moderation”.

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As part of its work to build a stronger community-centered club, the Board of Directors, with the support of the Richmond Rovers club members, will focus on a 2-5 year business plan that includes plans to increase junior and senior club membership and its continued campaign to attain Waitemata Community Board and Auckland Council support for a brand new Richmond Rovers Club room facility.

With over 500 paid club members in 2013 it is hoped that Fepuleai’s vision will cater to the needs of the club members, the community and other sporting codes currently sharing the Grey Lynn Park grounds including American Grid Iron, Tag Football, Touch Football and Netball.

Richmond Club Treasurer and local Grey Lynn Park resident Graeme Atmore believes the focus of the Club needs to go towards creating better people and opportunities, “to eliminate the hassles of alcohol would enable the Richmond Board to focus on more meaningful projects”.

Benefits of an alcohol free club include:

• An innovative framework of alcohol management that enhances family friendly values
• Encouragement of Grey Lynn community spirit
• A safer community with less temptation for at risk drink drivers
• Reduction in the misuse of alcohol and related problems for club members
• Saving of money otherwise spent on alcohol by players, supporters and club members
• Health gains for players, club members and their families
• Display of club support for the Premier coaching team who self-imposed a liquor ban for the Premier team during the 2013 season
• Opportunity for combined Senior and Junior prize giving at every home game
• An improved club image encouraging a favorable outlook from junior member’s parents, the wider community and funding agencies (ASB community trust and the Health Promotion Agency (HPA) etc.
• No need for paid licensed bar staff
• No need for paid security staff
• Reduction in club operating expenses
• Reduced maintenance costs of premises wear and tear
• No need for club members to police fundraisers and lock up after social functions
• No more noise complaints from Grey Lynn Park residents
• No more complaints of broken bottles outside the club premises and in car parks
• No more late night drinkers at the club room
• An opportunity to build relationships with local businesses
• An opportunity to obtain sponsorship with corporate socially responsible businesses

 
For more information contact:

Gus Fepuleai, ph: 021 0836 9836
Graeme Atmore, ph: 021 360040

When:                     Every Tuesday & Thursday
Where:                    Richmond Club rooms, Elgin Street, Grey Lynn Park
Time:                       5.00pm – 7.00pm
Junior Grades:        Under 6 to Under 18
Senior Grades:       Under 20s to Premiers, Premier 1st, Premier 2nds, Women
Season Start:          5th April 2014 
New players to provide copy of birth certificate or passport. Training for teams has commenced. Players who are not registered cannot take the field. A No pay, No play policy will apply to all Richmond players (U6 - U18). For more information click here or please contact 021 362 425

Congratulations to Richmond Official Carol Redman who today was honored at the Auckland Rugby League Annual General Meeting for Distinguished Service to Rugby League. A well-deserved recognition which has been long overdue. Well done and congratulations once again Carol.