Spectators at Rugby League Park in Addington, Christchurch. Canterbury Rugby League wants to ban alcohol at parks to stop volatile behaviour. (2009 file photo)

The Media Council has ruled that repeated use of this 2009 photograph is an unfair stigmatisation of Linwood supporters. The full Media Council ruling is at www.mediacouncil.org.nz

Alcohol could be banned at 20 Christchurch parks as rugby league clubs struggle to control "volatile and unsafe" sideline behaviour.

Canterbury Rugby League says it is concerned for the safety of spectators, players and officials as a result of people drinking on the sideline.

STACY SQUIRES/STUFF Police, health officials, residents and business owners want a 24/7 alcohol ban in Addington.

Three assaults had occurred during the season and threats had been made toward individuals by someone with a weapon.

​In a submission to the council, Canterbury Rugby League capability and game manager George Lajpold​ said 70 per cent of clubs were dealing with alcohol related behaviour on the sideline.

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During the 2018 season, alcohol had been consumed at junior games, abuse had been directed towards other spectators, and officials and volunteers had also been challenged by people who had been drinking alcohol, Lajpold said.

Police were called to a game between the Linwood Keas and Northern Bulldogs at Linwood Park in July after threats were made against two of the players. Two police cars were sent to the match as a precaution and no issues occurred.

Lajpold has asked the council to impose an alcohol ban at 20 parks, including changing sheds, car parks and playgrounds, during the league season from March 1 to September 30.

The parks included Addington, Bishopdale, Linwood, Halswell, MacFarlane, Bromley, Crosbie, Lesley, Kyle, Branston, Papanui Domain and Spreydon Domain.

Alcohol has also been an issue at rugby games: in 2015, Christchurch club wing Sake Aca was racially abused by a group of Lincoln University supporters who were drinking alcohol at the senior club rugby final at Rugby Park. Aca was so distraught he could not finish the match.

"The club's administrators have expressed a high level of dissatisfaction and helplessness in trying to manage alcohol-related issues at their fields," Lajpold said.

"They have no power or authority to effectively address any inappropriate behaviour whilst stating they are regularly abused when attempting to address these issues."

Lajpold said people were leaving the sport because of what they witnessed and heard on the sidelines.

"There is, at times, a general level of concern that sidelines are volatile and unsafe."

​Lajpold made the call in a submission to the council's new Alcohol Restrictions in Public Places Bylaw 2018, which replaces a similar bylaw created in 2009.

But, the park ban was not able to be put in place without additional consultation, council staff said.

Councillors have instead asked staff to talk with sporting codes including Canterbury Rugby League and bring recommendations back to the council.

It is not the first time Canterbury Rugby League has called for a booze ban at matches. In 2012, the Canterbury division one grand final was called off after spectators joined an ugly brawl on the field, pushing past four security guards.

At the time, Canterbury Rugby League said spectators drinking on the sidelines at public parks had become a significant problem and called for a booze ban at public parks between 9am and 4pm on game days.

The new bylaw, approved by the council on Thursday, contains 15 permanent alcohol bans across Christchurch and Banks Peninsula, including 13 that were already in the 2009 bylaw.

It has made only limited changes including making two temporary bans permanent – one in Linwood Village and the other around Riccarton Racecourse on NZ Cup Day.

Police, health officials, residents and business owners wanted the bylaw to go further and ban alcohol in Addington 24 hours a day, seven days a week, rather than just on cup day at Addington Raceway.

In a submission, Sergeant David Robertson said police received more than 150 calls in 2017 for alcohol-related incidents in streets surrounding Addington Raceway, Christchurch Stadium and Horncastle Arena.

He said a permanent ban would provide a valuable tool for police.

The Addington Alcohol Accord was also pushing for the 24/7 ban because excessive drinking was happening on Lincoln Rd and back streets on a daily basis, causing disorder, damage and crime.

Matthew Bargent, a member of the accord, said in a submission, windows had been smashed at a number of businesses and bins had been set on fire.

Once again, council staff said a ban could not be put in place without further consultation and a report would come back to councillors with possible plans to amend the bylaw.