Thats not strictly true- isnt it for the club to decide given that is who the body is trying to influence

In the past the volunteers at times seemed to run independantly of what the club direction was which was never going to work

Not true - A large number of supporters worked in the office on a volunteer basis on a number of occassions giving help where required - data base input, phone calls, organising match days etc etc and they strictly adhered to what the club wanted, they followed the company line. People who were not involved perceived them as doing their own thing because no one discussed what went on in the office with those outside of it, it was comon sense and good business practice not to discuss club matters with all and sundary. The volunteers and there was a fair amount of regulars did whatever was asked of them on match days and this included things they did not perceive as a good thing but they did it all the same. Like life - there will always be people who knock others for the help they put into something whilst they sit on the sidelines doing nothing. No one in this life has to help anyone or anything, but for those who do leave them alone and let them get on with the task in hand, don't knock them. Now's your chance to volunteer yourself

If you want a club-organised sounding board then that is something very different to a supporters club or a Trust. In fact, if that's all it's going to be then you might as well just have fans fora on a more regular basis.

So what is an "independant supporters club as per Gus"

Rosey did you miss the “at times” part of the sentence or was this deliberate to help you formulate your rant

I'm surprised this club doesn't already have a supporters group. I can't think of an NRL team without a supporters group. Most teams have more then one, usually a home supporters group and a away supporters group both usually refereed to as an army, i.e the bulldogs army, Blue and gold army etc. Some teams are a little more creative and have things like the legion (gold coast titans).

The Melbourne Storm even has an New Zealand based supporters group and St Goerge Illawarra have a supporters group in just about every state.

Bids for NRL teams (bidding for a spot in the NRL) even have large supporters group (Red and Black army - Central Coast Bears and the red army - WA Reds)

TGG what is there purpose?

They are an organized social group that goes out to the games and supports the club no matter what.

To use the Gold Coast Titans as an example, the Legion has a designated area in which to sit at their home ground. They contribute to the atmosphere by chanting, drumming or singing. Or the latest idea of brass bands have showed up in support of some clubs.

There is also an away Legion, these group of people do the same thing but at away games, some sections may only attend NSW games or go even further for their cause.

It is a social event and over tome the supporters group becomes apart of the club. You will often see the winning NRL team walk over to the section of the crowd where they are sitting and clap them in a sign of thanks or even stop for a chat.

Some groups have become so important that certain teams ask for their opinions on certain club moves.

The groups also bring signs and large flags.

The Bulldogs have retired the 18 jersey in recognition of how important their fans are. They state the fans makthem fell like they have an 18th man.

Almost all clubs even have a member section forthem, so instead of just becoming a season ticket holder. They can become a member of the legion. (or kennel for bulldogs, or the burrow for the rabbitohs


I'll answer more specific questions if needed.

Sound like cliques to me.

And the 18th man stunt has been pulled before by Wigan - everyone cringed.

I believe that if the club are targetting a 40% increase in ST holders over the next 3 years, as was apparently stated in the forum, that they cannot hope to do this without the help of a supporters group.
If you work on the basis that a 40% increase also means a 40% increase in attendance figures, then that's 1,280 more REGULAR attendees.
To make any New attendee become a regular attendee, the club will have to ensure that their first experience of London RL is a brilliant one......as the club are not minted, this "experience" could be helped by volunteers who could meet, greet, discuss the game, the rules, show people where things are in the ground and in general, act as "hosts".

Just a thought......but if you worlk on a 10% conversion rate from newbie to reglular and potential ST holder, then about 13,000 brand spanking new fans need to be found over the next 3 years....333 a game over 39 games. Of these, 33 need to come back on a regular basis and then need to buy a ST for the next season......if you work on a 5% conversion rate, your audience need doubles......so if it were me, I'd treat every new fan through the gates like Royalty (or the President for you Republcans)

Perhaps League fans over here are just more passionate and enjoy getting together in the support of one cause. It creates a better atmosphere for the games and often turns into a challenge of between support bases who can make the most noise and atmosphere.

One of the worse things in the NRL is when the away fans get a loud and clear chant going for their team at your home ground.

An organised social group set up for fans to support and a follow a club around the country is a sign of how big a sport is and how much a community feels/needs/wants a club. A professional sporting teams without a supporter groups is pretty poor to be honest.

As for the 18th stunt, 90% of the fans at games now have merchandise with 18 on it. Members and fans and the Bulldogs now have a reputation among other fans for it now.

Other teams have similar things to it. All have been a marketing success.

I think that you are in cloud cuckoo land. I have been to several games in convict land (including State of Origin in Sydney) and the atmosphere is terrible. 50 Quins away fans at Headingley made more noise than Batchy's blues.

GF-Does that calculator of yours never run out of batteries

Solar powered!