Club Function Policy

Introduction

Whilst it is always preferable for members to purchase their own drinks across the bar as this practice reduces high risk drinking and allows bar servers to monitor patron behaviour, there are functions where clubs prefer to include alcohol as part of the overall ticket price. To prevent such events being seen by some as ‘all you can drink’ it is important for restrictions on alcohol availability. The following document sets out a number of strategies clubs can implement to limit risky drinking practices thereby protecting members as well as the clubs’ liquor license against significant State based fines.

Required Strategies (for licenced sporting clubs)

• Limited time of event where alcohol is included within ticket price – no more than 120 minutes, taken in full or broken into separate time blocks. After this time expires drinks purchased at bar prices.

• This time allocation includes recommendation of guideline 2 from the National Health & Medical Research Council 2009, page 51, which states ‘for healthy men and women, drinking no more than 4 standard drinks on a single occasion reduces the risk of alcohol-related injury arising from that occasion’.

• Availability of substantial food.

• Communication of the function conditions to members.

• This is subject to any government-imposed directives (such as COVID Safe Plan).

Optional (recommended) Strategies

• Periods of time during function where alcohol is not available (rest period / entertainment provided).

Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually to ensure it remains relevant to Club operations and reflects both community expectations and legal requirements.

Approved by Golden Grove Cricket Club Committee: October 2025

Next review date: October 2026