Dry argument at the footy | Northern Rivers Rugby League | NRL Rugby in Northern Rivers

THE newest Northern Rivers Regional Rugby League club Northern United has always marketed itself as a little different since first attempting to enter the competition.

Now, as the club prepares for its inaugural NRRRL match against Lower Clarence at Oakes Oval, Lismore, today, it has proved the point – by becoming the first club of any football code locally to ban the sale of alcohol at home games.

It is a bold move from the fledgling club considering the money it will forgo in sales at the ground and in potential sponsorship.

But club insiders believe the positive aspects will far outweigh the negative.

“Basically we’ve decided to take a stand,” United first- grade coach Chris Binge said.

“We’ve decided not to have any alcohol at any home games. We want our crowd coming to watch the rugby league and not to get alcohol.

“We think it will be positive and we may even get more people coming along like Mum, Dad and three kids, instead of just Dad.

“There is a time and place for a beer or whatever – we’re not against that, in fact one of our sponsors is the Tatts Hotel and we’ll invite people to come back for a drink there.”

Binge put the idea to the Northern United committee last December and the motion passed unanimously.

The sale of alcohol at football clubs is a hot issue, especially in the rugby league, with debate centred on the Central Coast.

The local league there banned alcohol sales at all grounds in the face of increasing crowd violence.

The clubs agreed but since the start of the season some have broken the agreement and others aren’t happy.

Binge says the commitment by Northern United will go beyond this season.

“Rugby league is more than just a beer at the ground, it should be about the football,” he said.

“Like I said, it’s a stand we’ve made and one we’ll continue to make.”

The beer ban highlights the lengths Northern United is prepared to go to win over supporters, sponsors and potential players.

Even before a tackle has been made, the new club is being mentioned as one of the premiership contenders.

“It’s an exciting time for us and there is a special feeling to be involved this year,” Binge said.

“We started out trying to get into the competition in 2005 and we got in on our third go last year, and to tell you the truth that time probably gave us the opportunity to get our house in order.

“We have a great committee made up of people who work hard and we have good player numbers.”

Unfortunately for the new club, injury has ripped through its stock of front-rowers with Leon King, Phil Charles and Sione Tonga all injured.

King cracked his jaw in a scaffolding accident at work, Charles was injured in the club’s only trial game against Mullumbimby, and Tonga has only just overcome his injuries and will start off the bench.

In desperation Binge has had to name Leonard Hickling and Dave Fernando, both backrowers, in the bookend positions.

However, it is out wide where United is expected to shine with the likes of former South Sydney Rabbitohs Roy Bell and Michael Moran at fullback and halfback.