Vow to get booze balance right

Eden Park chief executive David Kennedy defended the security operation at last year's one-day international cricket match. Photo / Greg Bowker

Auckland Nines organisers say they don't want to be fun police but will take hard line on intoxicated patrons.

Eden Park's management are confident they will find the right balance between maintaining order and allowing fans to have fun during the weekend's Auckland Nines tournament.

Last summer the venue's security operation was criticised by patrons as over-zealous, with some cricket fans claiming to have been thrown out for offences such as throwing paper darts and cheering too loudly.

The venue has also been the scene of crowd disorder, most notably during a 2010 rugby league test match double-header.

Nines organisers, police and Eden Park management have indicated a hard line will be taken on excessive alcohol consumption at the tournament, but Eden Park chief executive David Kennedy was confident that wouldn't prevent spectators enjoying themselves.

"We've put a lot of work into getting that balance right between fun and intoxication, which are two completely different things," Mr Kennedy said. "We encourage people to come and have a really good time with their friends but we don't encourage them to come along and be intoxicated. If you want to do that stay at home is my view."

Mr Kennedy defended the security operation at last year's one-day international cricket match, insisting the stadium had had "no issues of significance since the rugby league in 2010".

"Every person who was evicted [from the cricket] was evicted for being intoxicated or for smuggling in alcohol or for doing something that was creating a nuisance for people around them. Not many people who get evicted are going to say 'I was really drunk and I deserved it'."

Dick Smith NRL Nines tournament director David Higgins said the 600 security guards contracted for the event would be expected to use their discretion when dealing with spectators.

"You don't want to be too draconian and stamp out fun," Mr Higgins said. "Their job is really to keep people safe and watch out for intoxication. Cheering and chanting doesn't necessarily mean intoxication. The guards will need to use their judgment."

While he accepted there would be ejections from the ground, he wasn't expecting scenes similar to the Wellington Sevens, where 300 people were evicted from Westpac stadium over the two-day event.

"We've got a stringent alcohol policy and we've got star players, so there will be more focus on the sport, so that will help.

"We don't want a boozing culture and we've got the luxury of a clean slate to begin with. If we have a few arrests it means the police are doing their job in getting a few bad eggs out of the venue. Some media will take the opportunity to turn those arrests into headlines, but let's keep some perspective."

Police spokesman Inspector Gavin MacDonald wouldn't confirm the number of police in attendance because of operational reasons. Managing alcohol consumption and behaviour was the responsibility of the event promoters, he said.

"The police are there to make sure law and order is obeyed. Where security can't enforce things police will come through and take action. The main thing for us is it is going to be a family event."

Alcohol at the Nines

*Alcohol sales won't begin until midday.
*Beer and RTDs will have a maximum alcohol content of 4 per cent.
*Limit of four serves per person, decreasing to two per person after 2.30pm.
*Bars close at 7.15pm
*Alcohol management meetings held every hour to review consumption levels.