BELIEVE: Other Supporter Groups

[PMQ_Tony]

Just want to table a thought.

We aren't the only club in an Australian sport that has gone through is or going through a hard time that wants re-engage supporters to "believe".

The Western Bulldogs and Kangaroos AFL clubs have had struggles over the past decade with both of their main supporter groups working overtime to rebuild supporter numbers, atmosphere and a real belief in their teams.

If members of this forum think it's worth while I'm more than happy to make contact with these supporter groups to open up dialogue on initiatives that they have used.

Cheers
T

 

[fitz]

I'm happy with you doing research.

Being armed with knowledge is a good thing!

I'd be careful as to how you broach the subject and how much you divulge about the initiatives that we are taking here though - there is a very good reason why I've chosen to make the Believe forum a private area.

I'd hate to think that others would steal our ideas or undermine the things that we are trying to do here.

 

[PMQ_Tony]

Good point. Leave it with me.

Hi Believers,

I worked fast this morning and spoke to members of a couple of AFL supporter groups. Very interesting conversations about how the AFL works with these groups to ensure maximum outcomes.

Fitz: FYI ….. I posed as student writing a paper on “supporter groups and the impact on social behaviour both positive and negative”. Don’t ask me where I got that from what but it worked.

The main theme that I got from the 2 groups was it’s all about:
- Colour
- Noise
- Passion
- Exposure
- Participation

These 5 components are targeted to get what one member called “the ripple effect” happening for their fan base. Their philosophy was that whilst they will never reach the volume of Essendon and Collingwood supporter numbers they would ensure they were louder, more passionate and more colourful.

Ripple Effect: How social interactions can affect situations not directly related to the initial interaction.

On exposure and participation: Agreements and initiatives included…….
1. Ensure that every fan has the opportunity to participate and encourage the fact that cheering your team isn’t a “nerdy” thing to do.
2. Do not isolate any fan based on age or sex.
3. During lulls in play is the most important time to make noise. Supporter bases have a habit to only cheer when things are going well. As the old saying goes…. Silence is deafening.
4. Source out and understand at any given game attended where the main TV/Radio visual and sound exposure points are. They wanted their supporters at home to feel like they were part of the game. The belief was that the more a home supporter hears and sees, the more they want to participate live at the game.
5. Creation of regional supporter coordinators to be published as points of contact to spread the good news and to broaden the clubs supporter base exposure.
6. Ensure the club worked hand in hand with their supporter group.

All in all they were lovely people with a real passion for their clubs and they truly believed that the way their groups conducted themselves would have a positive impact on not only the way their team played but on player retention, recruitment and sponsor opportunities.

I hope this helps for this evenings inaugural meeting. I’m totally gutted that I can’t be there.

Cheers
T

 

[BUZ]

I'm really busy at the mo, so will read your posts later tony.

I would quickly like to mention that I have an idea about attracting Red Sox fans to League, and the Sharks.

I need someone who is genuinely interested and knowledgeable about baseball, and preferably a Red Sox fan.

Anyone?

 

[El Coconuto]

I'm really busy at the mo, so will read your posts later tony.

I would quickly like to mention that I have an idea about attracting Red Sox fans to League, and the Sharks.

I need someone who is genuinely interested and knowledgeable about baseball, and preferably a Red Sox fan.

Anyone?

It just so happens that I'm a Red Sox fan

 

[SF]

On exposure and participation: Agreements and initiatives included…….
1. Ensure that every fan has the opportunity to participate and encourage the fact that cheering your team isn’t a “nerdy” thing to do.
2. Do not isolate any fan based on age or sex.
3. During lulls in play is the most important time to make noise. Supporter bases have a habit to only cheer when things are going well. As the old saying goes…. Silence is deafening.
4. Source out and understand at any given game attended where the main TV/Radio visual and sound exposure points are. They wanted their supporters at home to feel like they were part of the game. The belief was that the more a home supporter hears and sees, the more they want to participate live at the game.

Thanks Tony, all good points.

This is a key aim - if we do stuff at the games, it has to get on TV, or we are just preaching to the converted.

Creation of regional supporter coordinators to be published as points of contact to spread the good news and to broaden the clubs supporter base exposure.

May be good to work with the CSSC on this.

6. Ensure the club worked hand in hand with their supporter group.

So far, so good. Obviously everyone at the club is working pretty damn hard at the moment, so we can't bog them down - however we have to make sure we don't take away from other marketing pushes.

 

[BUZ]

It just so happens that I'm a Red Sox fan

And it just so happens that you are the perfect man for the job :glasses-cool:!

If you have the time mate (and are interested), please just join a Red Sox supporter forum or two (I guess there are heaps of them), and post on there in exactly the same endearing way as you post here.

If you are already a posting member of any Sox forums, PM me and I'll fill you in with a bit more detail of my plan.

:cheers

btw Tony, read your post, and agree with the strategies... More later.

 

[Louis]

Whats this plan?? Its bugging me not knowing lol

 

[BUZ]

It just so happens that I'm a Red Sox fan

Have you had much time to follow up on the PM?

Whats this plan?? Its bugging me not knowing lol

The plan is for Members of this forum who follow sports that are based in non Rugby League territories to slowly introduce League and the Sharks around the World.

Below is a list of Sharks Forever Members who have been active in the NBA thread.

brad, Pomeroy#3, dier, maco_magic, chunk67/CatBasher69, ROB SHARK, Wright&Fergo, El Coconuto, BlackWhiteBlue, SharkLabelSociety, Sharky Pete.

Smile Ricky..., scott17, Shire Shark, jimmymac, danh231, mjef3966, pupajoN.


It would be great if these Members could sign up on the larger NBA fan forums and post first and foremost as a fan of their respective team.

I've broken the Members in to two groups: First group is made up of Members who still post here, the second is made up of those we need to encourage to log on and post here more often.

The idea from there is for each individual Member to build up a genuine rapport on the NBA forum, and then slowly and respectfully introduce Rugby League and the Sharks to a wider community.