The Eastern Force - Mission Statement and Code of Conduct
The Management Committee of the Eastern Force offer the following as a guide to members, and future members of the Eastern Force.
The Eastern Force
Emirates Western Force Supporters Group, Sydney
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Vision
The Eastern Force, providing a parochial “Home Ground” for Sydney’s Western Force Supporters.
Membership Criteria
The Eastern Force is being created by Supporters of the Western Force, for Supporters of the Western Force. Many members of the Eastern Force will be “Out-of-Town” Members of the Western Force. This is by no means a requirement of membership, tho it will be encouraged. Western Force and RugbyWA Management are more likely to listen to “Paid up” Western Force Members.
Membership Fees
As a social group, at this stage there are no expenses or fees associated to being a Member of the Eastern Force however, the Organisers reserve the right to suggest a modest fee, if justified, in the future.
Tickets to Western Force v Waratahs Matches
Negotiations are currently underway for the NSW Rugby to allocate a block of tickets to The Eastern Force.
These tickets will be available to Eastern Force Members only.
Unsold tickets will be returned to NSW Rugby for general sale.
The Eastern Force is NOT a ticketing outlet for the general public.
“Away” Games
The Eastern Force will endeavour to identify “Force Pubs” around Sydney for Eastern Force Members to gather to watch the Super 14 season unfold.
While ideally there will be a primary location, those further away may choose to gather in a secondary venue.
Code of Conduct:
The Eastern Force is being created to allow Western Force supporters a stronger voice and not get “lost in the crowd” when attending Western Force matches in Sydney.
It is envisaged that The Eastern Force will become a group that welcome all Western Force supporters regardless of age, sex, religion or ethnicity.
A prime goal of the Eastern Force is to stand out in our support of the Western Force however, in the process it must be appreciated that as such we are very much in the public eye as ambassadors for the Western Force and, by extension, Western Australia.
As such, as a duty to The Emirates Western Force, RugbyWA, our fellow supporters around the globe and ourselves we must behave in a manner that will not bring disrepute to any of those parties.
Rugby is a sport that has many fine traditions and brings out the passion in its followers, the Eastern Force aims to embrace those traditions and harness those passions in a respectful, fun and uplifting manner.
• Wear your Blues: The Eastern Force encourages all Members to wear Western Force Blue to all matches. If you don’t have an official jersey or top then try and find something in your wardrobe to match (and not that powder puff blue of the Tahs!). There is plenty of great merchandise available now in the Force colours including some large flags, make yourself stand out!
• “Love” the Boss: Welcome the coach (Mitch that is) when he and his staff walk to the coaching box before the game. This is the man with the plan who is leading WA Rugby to great heights, he deserves our respect and acknowledgement.
• Bleed for the Boys: Yell your hearts out when the Force run onto the field. Barrack loud, work on chants and let the boys know you’re there for them. After the game, no matter what the result, unless you have to leave stay behind and clap them all off, they deserve it. It makes your first beer after the match taster all the sweeter when you see the appreciation in their faces.
• Appreciate good play: Be generous in your applause for efforts of our opposition. Make sure their supporters are treated with courtesy, remember there are a number of our members who have dual loyalties, at least in the early years! Teams of your birthplace are hard to relinquish, but you never know, next week they may be sitting next to you cheering for the Force again.
• Respect the officials: The referees and touch judges have a job to do. As in life, we all make mistakes, if they do then like us we should accept the decision and move on. There is always Mondays to debate the decisions!
• Know your limits: At all times be a responsible supporter, we are wearing the colours of our team and are all ambassadors. Drink responsibly and if you get drunk then be a nice drunk.
• Mind your manners: Only morons boo. Not only does it show a great disrespect for those who are trying their guts out on the field, it also demonstrates a gross lack of imagination that you have nothing worthwhile to shout. Be creative, you’ll enjoy the experience far more and add to the enjoyment of those around you. Banter with opposition supporters, it’s allowed, but don’t heckle or embarrass them or yourself. Again, only morons boo!
