Gearing Up For Footy Fan Patrol

Illawarra Mercury

Saturday November 1, 2008

By MICHELLE HOCTOR

FIJI and France won't be the only teams in action at WIN Stadium tonight as part of the 2008 Rugby League World Cup.

A squad of 16 police officers will also be present, ensuring the anticipated crowd of 9000 spectators behaves itself.

Wollongong police Inspector Brian Wyver said the presence was part of Operation Cronin, a state-wide initiative to patrol anti-social behaviour at the various World Cup venues.

"We certainly want everyone to enjoy the game of football, but we are not going to tolerate any anti-social behaviour," Insp Wyver said.

"It's on the world stage and we just want people to enjoy the event."

Meantime, the Mercury has been endeavouring to determine if Operation Cronin was in fact named after Gerringong's rugby league legend Mick Cronin.

A NSW Police media spokesman said all operation names were computer generated and any similarity to any actual persons or events was a coincidence. Although this did not ring true for past initiatives such as shoplifting crackdown Operation Lightfingers and crowd control at the Bathurst 1000 V8 Supercars race (Operation Mountaineer).

By coincidence, Insp Wyver said the commander of Operation Cronin, Assistant Police Commissioner Denis Clifford, operated in Eels territory - Parramatta, adding fuel to the theory.

? Fiji vs France match at WIN Stadium starts at 5.25pm.

? Tickets are available through Ticketek or at the gate and range in price from $10 to $35 for adults, $7 to $25 for juniors (four to 15 years) and $25 to $84 for a family of four.

? Gates open at 3.10pm for a 3.20pm kick-off in the Fiji under 19s vs Dragons game.

© 2008 Illawarra Mercury

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