Maitland Rugby Club president Ben Emmett described the act as “appalling”.

Mr Emmett said on either Wednesday or Thursday night someone broke into the Maitland Blacks Rugby Club coolroom where the alcohol for the Punchbowl fundraiser was being stored.

“They’ve broken through the steel grills, smashed a security roller door and forget the padlock on the cool-room – they’ve smashed the whole locking mechanism,” he said.

The Punchbowl raised thousands of dollars to help paralyzed Blacks player Dom Punch purchase a modified vehicle he can drive with his wheelchair.

Mr Emmett said the break-in caused thousands of dollars in damages.

He said he believed the club was targeted deliberately.

“It would be very unusual for someone to break into a rugby club during the off-season,” he said. “It’s lower than a black-snake’s belly.”

The approximately 40 cartons of alcohol were to be the rugby club’s major money-spinners at the Punchbowl. Luckily the day was saved by local businesses. 

The Commercial Hotel Morpeth, the Pourhouse, the Victoria Hotel Hinton, the Belmore, the George Tavern, Flynn’s Haulage, Coopers and Scarborough Wines all donated to the cause.

The theft was reported to police.

“We want people to be aware of anyone who’s hosting large parties with free alcohol or flogging cheap alcohol in the lead-up to Christmas,” Mr Emmett said.

Mr Emmett said the vast majority of people who lived in Maitland were decent human beings who would be disgusted by the act.

“It’s a shame there are those out there who prey on these sort of things.”

The rugby club is offering a reward for any information that leads to the apprehension of the culprits. Call Crimestoppers 1800 333 000.