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Legs before wicket: is it time Sydney Cricket Ground relaxed its dress code? Legs before wicket: is it time Sydney Cricket Ground relaxed its dress code?
(about 3 hours later)
As Australia’s triumphant Ashes team is being paraded in front of their adoring public on the steps of the Opera House, another Sydney icon, the SCG, is in the spotlight for denying a long-time member access to the ground on the second day of the recently-completed Test.As Australia’s triumphant Ashes team is being paraded in front of their adoring public on the steps of the Opera House, another Sydney icon, the SCG, is in the spotlight for denying a long-time member access to the ground on the second day of the recently-completed Test.
Lynda Reid, a 25-year SCG member, was turned back at the gate on account of the short hemline of her floral pink dress. “I’m a corporate soliciter, she told Daily Life, “I know what is appropriate and not. I am not some hick from wherever.” Lynda Reid, a 25-year SCG member, was turned back at the gate on account of the short hemline of her floral pink dress. “I’m a corporate solicitor, she told Daily Life, “I know what is appropriate and not. I am not some hick from wherever.”
It’s a popular refrain in recent times. In 2009, SCG member Michael Downes was denied entry while wearing “smart shorts” that he felt distinguished him from the “riff-raff” outside the walls of the SCG members. That came amid a general crackdown on standards of behaviour and dress at one of Australia’s oldest sporting clubs.It’s a popular refrain in recent times. In 2009, SCG member Michael Downes was denied entry while wearing “smart shorts” that he felt distinguished him from the “riff-raff” outside the walls of the SCG members. That came amid a general crackdown on standards of behaviour and dress at one of Australia’s oldest sporting clubs.
As with Melbourne’s MCC, membership waiting lists for the SCG are long and annual subscriptions fees no small matter. Both clubs have clearly stated dress codes and by the letter of SCG Members law, Lynda Reid’s dress was not “knee-length”. Still, the issue brings into question the practice of making members dress up to the nines in order to gain access, but herding them like cattle for hours on end before the gates are even opened. Reid also has right to claim that her dress complied with a separate and probably conflicting section of the rules, which asks that dresses be of “respectable length”. Respectable to whom?As with Melbourne’s MCC, membership waiting lists for the SCG are long and annual subscriptions fees no small matter. Both clubs have clearly stated dress codes and by the letter of SCG Members law, Lynda Reid’s dress was not “knee-length”. Still, the issue brings into question the practice of making members dress up to the nines in order to gain access, but herding them like cattle for hours on end before the gates are even opened. Reid also has right to claim that her dress complied with a separate and probably conflicting section of the rules, which asks that dresses be of “respectable length”. Respectable to whom?
In actual fact there are few things in life that are genuinely worth lining up for, but I suppose a seat to see Australia claim a 5-0 series win against England is one of them. It’s quite common to see hardy and dedicated members of both the Melbourne and Sydney clubs lining up under the cloak of darkness as early as 4 and 5am for the annual Test and football finals. Lynda Reid had been queuing since 5:30am before being knocked back. That is a ridiculous way to treat your members, especially at the Pink Test. A fairer and more humane system of entry would not be hard to devise.In actual fact there are few things in life that are genuinely worth lining up for, but I suppose a seat to see Australia claim a 5-0 series win against England is one of them. It’s quite common to see hardy and dedicated members of both the Melbourne and Sydney clubs lining up under the cloak of darkness as early as 4 and 5am for the annual Test and football finals. Lynda Reid had been queuing since 5:30am before being knocked back. That is a ridiculous way to treat your members, especially at the Pink Test. A fairer and more humane system of entry would not be hard to devise.
I will say this though; in four years as a member of the MCC, I’ve been generally surprised at what the gate stewards let fly and wonder whether it was ever really any different. Are we just clinging to stuffy and outdated notions of style and etiquette? Do we want a day at the cricket to become like a day at the races, where what you’re wearing and who you’re seen with is of primary importance? From personal observation, there is a laundry list of fashion sins that would be of higher priority than Lynda Reid’s dress.I will say this though; in four years as a member of the MCC, I’ve been generally surprised at what the gate stewards let fly and wonder whether it was ever really any different. Are we just clinging to stuffy and outdated notions of style and etiquette? Do we want a day at the cricket to become like a day at the races, where what you’re wearing and who you’re seen with is of primary importance? From personal observation, there is a laundry list of fashion sins that would be of higher priority than Lynda Reid’s dress.
The MCC offers clear and detailed examples of the standards required in their club and maybe the SCG should be more transparent on their own. MCC members can often be seen wearing football jumpers over hoodies, ratty-looking sandals and the most worrying trend of all, men (and yes, it is ONLY men) wearing replicas of the Australian Test shirt.The MCC offers clear and detailed examples of the standards required in their club and maybe the SCG should be more transparent on their own. MCC members can often be seen wearing football jumpers over hoodies, ratty-looking sandals and the most worrying trend of all, men (and yes, it is ONLY men) wearing replicas of the Australian Test shirt.
Now that is a fashion crime worth prosecuting.Now that is a fashion crime worth prosecuting.
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