Staff hitch likely cause of AMI delays | Canterbury News | Local News in Canterbury

A shortage of security staff appears to be behind delays for some spectators getting into last Saturday's Crusaders versus Lions Super 14 match at AMI Stadium.

The Star understands that some Red Badge security staff did not turn up for work, resulting in a bottleneck for some people trying to get into the stadium about half an hour before the 5.30pm kick-off.

One family who arrived with tickets at 5pm said by the time they got to their seats they had missed the pre-match entertainment.

Vbase Ltd chief executive Bryan Pearson refused to comment on security staffing levels.

Vbase manages the stadium and contracts Red Badge to do security.

Mr Pearson said they were still "fine-tuning" the balance between adequate security checks and efficiently getting people into the stadium at games.

Crusaders chief executive Hamish Riach said he was "very sorry" to hear the family missed the pre-match entertainment.

He said they would offer the family free tickets to another match if they came forward.

Mr Riach said they were working very hard with Vbase Ltd to ensure such delays did not happen again.