Cricket yobbos on the outer
The number of drunk cricket fans evicted by the WA Cricket Association has more than halved in the first year of a $2.1 million health sponsorship deal aimed at helping the sport ditch its boozy image.
Figures released ahead of today's launch of the 2014-15 season show that in the first year of a three-year agreement with Healthway to get rid of alcohol promotions and reduce junk food sales, more than 210,000 fans attended the WACA ground - a 21 per cent increase on 2012-13 numbers.
More patrons opted for healthier snacks such as salads and bottled water, while fewer people were kicked out for alcohol-related misbehaviour compared with the previous year.
At the Test match, 54 per cent fewer people were evicted because of intoxication, 62 per cent fewer people were kicked out for smuggling in alcohol, and the number of people evicted for abusive behaviour fell 81 per cent. Alcohol sales as a proportion of total revenue fell 9 per cent.
There was a 65 per cent drop in alcohol-related evictions during the Big Bash League.
Sales of healthy foods increased, including sandwiches, up by 48 per cent, and bottled water, up 83 per cent. Three times as many people bought salads.
WACA chief executive Christina Matthews said the figures showed patrons, particularly families, wanted to see better food and drink options and less antisocial behaviour.
"It's encouraging, not just from a business point of view but because it shows people are moving in the right direction," she said.
"The really good thing for us is the fall in alcohol-related evictions and behaviour, because that's the sort of thing that puts people off coming to the cricket.
"We just need to keep pushing the right messages."
Healthway chairwoman Rosanna Capolingua said it was a win for cricket and fans.
"It's a success story because we have more people going along to watch cricket but fewer people being evicted for alcohol-fuelled bad behaviour," Dr Capolingua said.
"There has been a significant fall in sales of alcohol, yet increased sales in healthier food and drink.
"The bottom line is that this is what people want to be able to do - go along and enjoy the cricket, feel safe, and be able to make healthier choices."
