Concerns over the likely size of the crowd were behind the the cancellation of a BYO alcohol trial at Mt Maunganui's Bay Oval, organisers say.
The Northern District Cricket Association announced on Monday the public could bring their own alcohol to the oval for one-day games on New Year's Day and January the 4th.
Cricket fans at Bay Oval, Mt Maunganui. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
It said the trial was based on advice from the police that the option was legal.
Chief executive Peter Roach told Morning Report police had second thoughts after the plan was announced.
"They reassessed their initial advice based on the size of the event and that was probably based on bit of public feed back yesterday... a lot of people were coming out and saying they would never have come, but how they're going to."
Roach says the venue will instead serve alcohol from licensed vendors within the ground.
Western Bay of Plenty Police acting Area Commander Inspector Karl Wright-St Clair police staff had acted in good faith when they provided initial advice, as a result of an approach from the organisers.
"Alcohol at these events is normally sold through a special licence and on this occasion one had not been processed within normal timeframes," said Wright-St Clair.
"We understand Northern Districts' desire to make the option available when they chose to promote the trial. Today we have re-assessed the initial advice given and have advised Northern Districts that this trial, for these matches, would have likely breached alcohol-related laws."
Roach says while the initiative seemed to have merit and had gained considerable public support, his organisation understood the change of decision and would not challenge it.
"We're disappointed we couldn't trial the idea, as it seemed to create some genuine public interest," says Roach.
