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Steve Menzies and Cliff Lyons caught up in footy furore over local council's 'ridiculous' ban

Manly-Warringah Touch Association has been ordered to stop playing music at the sporting fields.

adam lucius
Contributor
·3-min read

A local touch footy association that Manly legends Steve Menzies and Cliffy Lyons are involved in is pushing back after being banned by local council from playing music at the field. The Northern Beaches Council has ordered the Manly-Warringah Touch Association (MWTA) to cease playing music at half-time and full-time in games on Thursday and Friday nights due to a noise complaint from a neighbour – or neighbours – living close to Passmore and Nolan Reserves in Sydney's north.

But the president of the MWTA has labelled the ban 'ridiculous' and told Yahoo Sport Australia they hope to have it overturned. The music runs for a few minutes at a time during breaks to add to the atmosphere and keep its mainly young audience engaged.

Cliff Lyons and Steve Menzies.
Cliff Lyons and Steve Menzies are both part of the Manly-Warringah Touch Association. Image: Getty

Sea Eagles greats Menzies and Lyons are among those involved with the MWTA, while several young players have graduated from its ranks to play in the NRL or NRLW or Australia's men's and women's 7s and 15s rugby sides. In addition, 24 Manly players represented Australia in this year's touch World Cup in England.

Manly touch players in action.
The local council has banned music during games at night. Image: Supplied
Two female touch footy players during a game.
The Manly-Warringah Touch Association has pushed back against the ban. Image: Supplied

The MWTA wrote to council requesting it overturn its music ban, but the plea fell on deaf ears. "We have considered your request, however, at this stage we will not be providing permission for Manly Warringah Touch Association to play music at any of your competitions based on a Council sportsground on a regular basis," a council spokesperson said.

"We do not allow other allocated groups to play music on a regular basis. Although we understand that the music creates a great atmosphere, we need to be mindful of the impact such noise has on the surrounding neighbours.

"Council is aware of the benefits of sports for our community to play and connect and we aim to provide ample and suitable venues, however we must also manage the impact. If you wish to play music at a special event you may apply directly to Open Space Bookings, but in the meantime can I please request that you no longer play music."

But the MWTA is not prepared to pull the plug without a fight. It has launched a petition asking for support in its battle with council, attracting almost 800 signatures in the first 48 hours.

The MWTA stated: "The music plays for approximately 5mins at a time, and adds to atmosphere of the competition, which is aimed at young people (U18’s in the community). The activity provides not only a source of exercise for young people but also a very important social interaction and community participation platform. Please sign the petition to help Manly Touch keep this aspect of the activity alive."

Nolan and Passmore Reserves in the Northern Beaches Council.
The council has banned music at Nolan and Passmore Reserves being played at night. Image: Google

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MWTA president Kate Perrett told Yahoo Sport Australia: "The music is just latest hits, nothing with swearing or too heavy. It's usually just a playlist from one of the ground staff off Spotify - sounds people can sing along to really.

"We have been doing it for five years without a single complaint until now. It's ridiculous that a complaint from one or two people comes before the enjoyment of hundreds of touch players, supporters and their families. We will keep fighting this."