Equal Access to Full-Strength Beer Coming to Western Sydney Stadiums
Revellers at stadiums in Western Sydney will soon have the same access to full-strength beer as those in the city’s east after a rule change that will come in time for the start of the 2025 NRL season.
Disparity in Beer Strength
Currently, those attending Western Sydney Stadium and Sydney Olympic Stadium in the west can only buy half-strength beer, whereas in the east at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) and Sydney Football Stadium in Moore Park, punters can purchase full-strength beer.
Labor MP for Riverstone Warren Kirby advocated for the change and said it was fundamentally unfair for people from Western Sydney to be treated differently.
“This brew-haha is not about the strength of beer, it’s about fairness,” he said.
“People living in Western Sydney should be treated with the same respect as those in the eastern suburbs.
“We can handle our drink just as well as those from the east”.
He said “commonsense” had prevailed and warned he “fully expects all people to drink responsibly”.
Western Sydney ‘Left Behind’
The trial will run for six months on match days of three hours or less, with full-strength beer to be available in general public areas.
Mr Kirby said half-strength beer was first mandated across all stadiums in 2011 in a bid to bring poor crowd behaviour under control.
In 2022 after the upgrade of Sydney Football Stadium, full-strength beer became available at the venue as well as at the SCG, but the same change was not afforded to fans in the west, he said.
“I don’t like to think this was a deliberate move on anyone’s part to undermine the people of the west, but it does go to the heart of how we struggle for everything in Western Sydney,” he said.
“We’ve been left behind in so many areas … and it turns out this has extended even to beers.
This is not about encouraging people to get on the drink while they’re enjoying the game. It’s purely about fairness and equity in the system.
Venues NSW Kerrie Mather said fans had been asking for full-strength beer at the Western Sydney stadiums for a number of years.
“Just like the world-class food offering at our stadiums, it’s all about choice and variety for supporters and that’s what will be on offer during this trial period,” she said.
“The safety of patrons is our number-one priority and that will continue during the trial.”
The trial’s success will be decided by a number of stakeholders including NSW Police, liquor authorities and feedback from fans.
Conclusion
The move to allow equal access to full-strength beer at Western Sydney stadiums marks a step towards fairness and equality for all fans. This change reflects a commitment to providing a consistent experience for attendees regardless of their location within the city. As the trial period commences, stakeholders will closely monitor the outcomes and feedback to ensure the safety and satisfaction of patrons.
FAQs
Why was there a difference in beer availability between stadiums in Western Sydney and the eastern suburbs?
The disparity in beer strength availability stemmed from a historical decision to mandate half-strength beer in Western Sydney stadiums in 2011. The recent rule change aims to address this discrepancy and provide equal opportunities for all fans.
How will the success of the trial be determined?
The trial’s success will be evaluated based on feedback from fans, input from NSW Police, and assessments by liquor authorities. These stakeholders will play a crucial role in determining the continuation of full-strength beer availability at Western Sydney stadiums.