The North Otago Rugby Union and the Alcohol Advisory Council (Alac) cannot see eye to eye on the best way to help young people.
A nude calendar produced by the union to raise funds for junior rugby, featuring North Otago rugby squad members using strategically placed beer bottles to hide their tackle, has drawn criticism from the advisory body.
The fundraising initiative is the brainchild of North Otago's first five-eighth Ben Patston, who discounted Alac's claim the calendar glorifies alcohol.
"Not at all. Obviously, the front cover may portray it slightly with the Speight's bottles on there.
"They [Speight's] are one of our sponsors. We thought it would be harsh not to have them on there."
He said the calendar had helped attract 13 new sponsors and had been embraced by the players and much of the community.
"The people in Oamaru seem to enjoy it. They're buying calendars. We've sold the majority of our distribution so far and, by the looks of the publicity, we might have to get some more in.
"The players had a great time. We got them all across on a Sunday. They were very keen and enjoyed getting their kit off."
He had received calls from several media outlets and believed the matter had been blown out of proportion.
"The bottom line is it's a fundraiser for junior rugby in North Otago and it's going pretty well so far."
Previous fundraising initiatives had included selling firewood and compost, he said.
Alac chief executive officer Gerard Vaughan reiterated that the "prominence given to the alcohol makes the calendar look more like an alcohol promotion than a fundraiser for junior rugby".
"I appreciate the club sees the calendar as a good way to raise money for junior sport, but I believe these sort of activities, which are in essence alcohol promotions, need to be properly thought through."
