Cracking open a cold beer or cider on grand final day enhances the spectator experience for many sporting fans in Wagga. It’s a luxury afforded to spectators at Group Nine, Farrer League, Riverina League and Southern Inland finals.
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Football Wagga, however, will again buck the trend, and host an alcohol-free event at Equex on Sunday.
In a bid to ensure it’s a family-friendly day, the association decided against serving alcohol at the event, and will not allow attendees to bring in their own booze.
“We really want to encourage parents to bring their kids along to watch the pinnacle," president Erwin Budde said.
“We want to keep it family friendly, and make sure people behave responsibly and respectfully at our grounds.”
The association may be the odd one out, but Football Wagga doesn’t feel pressured to keep up with the Jones’.
“We focus on ourselves,” Budde said.
“We’re not concerned about what other codes are doing.”
The decision, made by committee members, followed a review of recent grand final days.
“We’ve had a great vibe at our grand final for the past couple of years,” he said.
“There’s wasn’t a need to change the formula.”
There will be bag-checks at the entrance.
Grand final schedule
Saturday
9am: Under 12’s
10.30am: Under 13’s
12.10pm: Under 14’s
1.50pm: Under 16’s
3.40pm: Nankivell Cup
6pm: Pascoe Plate
Sunday
9am: Blake Trophy
11.10am: Madden Shield
1.20pm: Gardiner Shield
3.30pm: Leonard Cup
5.40pm: Pascoe Cup
The senior game schedule allows for two 45-minute halves, 10 minutes at half-time and 30 minutes of extra-time. All games, if drawn at full-time, will go into extra-time, then penalties.
For those unable to attend, the Leonard Cup and Pascoe Cup games will be broadcast live via Wagga TV.
