The Wildcats thing has always been cheesy, and I would get rid if it was up to me. However I guess they see it as a way of reaching out to younger fans. Atleast the badge has improved the last time it was redesigned.

When my children were smaller, I took them to see High School Musical On Ice. I was wearing a Wildcats coat, our Wildcats, not realising that it was also the name of the team in High School Musical. I got some funny looks that day, and it was pre-Jimmy Savile! That's enough reason for me.

I doubt we will be changing anything because I read that we still have a year left on our Current supplier contract. I thought this was ending this season but apparently not , so I guess we will have to put up with shirts where the sizing could be brought to the attention of the trading standards.

I have grown up with the Wildcats name, and quite frankly I can't stand it.

Wakefield Trinity gives the fans a sense of pride as they know what the 'Trinity' means and the history behind it.

As already stated, use the 'Wildcats' logo as a marketing scheme for the younger fans. Create it as a kids membership with the chance of prizes like meeting players, becoming mascots, signed photos and fun days etc.

With all the other stuff going on I'd say that the Wildcats tag is the very least of our worries. As long as Wakefield and Trinity are in the name you can stick anything else in you like for me.

Wildcats is a god awful name and whoever chose it originally wants shooting.

Having said that, the Rhinos name has worked tremendously at Leeds. Kids, especially, associate with the name and the mascot. Ronnie the Rhino is a big marketing plus for Leeds and helps engage loads of kids.

However, that's partly because Leeds got it right from the start. The badge, the mascot, the branding, the merchandise, all of it was good from the start and stayed consistent.
But also Leeds spend a lot on marketing and on supporter engagement and crucially spend a lot on the staff responsible for these things.

For example, the last week or so at Headingley has been:

Friday - Home game v Salford - att 14,000 - 200+ dancers from recent Rhinestones dance camp at half time plus the usual amateur teams. Plus Armed Forces Day featuring Royal Marines band and Army v Navy teams.

Sunday - Children's Day - various activities and entertainment on all day including kids RL, football and cricket tournaments. Attracted approx 6,000 people to Headingley.

Monday - Coach Education workshop at Kirkstall. 30-40 amateur coaches present.

Tuesday - Rhinos Touch Rugby session - 30-40 paying participants

Wednesday - Sponsors Day - various activities including participating in Rhinos training session for sponsors and their families

Thursday - Sinny's Club (for members aged 12-16) event - attracted 60-70 kids plus parents

Sunday - Home game v Catalans - att 15.5k - hundreds of u8 players on the pitch pre-match and half time.


Now that's obviously not a normal week for Leeds but it illustrates the effort Leeds puts in to both their brand through the mascot and other aspects, and engaging with people to get them in to the ground and hopefully coming back again.

Until a club puts that kind of effort in, it doesn't really matter that much what you're called, it won't make much difference.

Totally agree Him,

You've got to win the hearts of the young kids and they'll pay you back 1,000 times over during their time as a lifelong fan.

It doesn't happen by accident

Exactly right , compare and contrast.

Do we even have the face painting anymore , or was it too expensive?

Thats the bottom line mate, it would be interesting to know the percentage of fans who stuck with the first club that they ever attended as a kid for a home game. i suspect it would be massive.

Unfortunately the bottom line is profit and loss. We don't fair well there so the marketing budget takes a hit.

... and thus Wakefield Trinity will always be a struggling club with poor attendances with little future prospects. There are things you can scrimp on, promotion is not one of them if you want to build a club.

Like I said on another thread, how much have we wasted bringing in tosh from other clubs who have contributed nothing to the team. That budget could've been used elsewhere. There is money, it's just been used unwisely.

All you list about the Rhinos success can be put down to having a winning team.