TWF meeting with Western Force 14 June 2016

[Alison]

The Rebels have a fan-instigated group called "The Rebel Army" that may be worth looking at as a possible model? I don't know anything about them but am happy to make enquiries as I 'know' them through Twitter.

For me, I'd like something quite structured that works constructively and in partnership with RugbyWA, rather than an ad-hoc group of people who just want to whinge & moan but not actually 'put their money where their mouths are'.

[chibi]

Was an interesting chat. It's a shame we couldn't talk more about the team and the culture a bit more. But of course, that would have taken more hours than we actually had.

[SNOB]

Well done Hertryk, Mark and all.
Hopefully now that we have dialogue we won't all feel like mushrooms!
I certainly hope to be available for future meetings and like the idea of a fan club.

[Tonkar]

Thank you to Jo and the team that turned up to represent us the members.. I can not attend meeting like this due to my location and work commitments.. Once again thanks .. I am looking for to getting my 15yr pin in 2020and a poss. 20yr pin in 2025.. Long live the force...

1 question I do have is we all talk about talented players at the force.. It seems we have lost a lot of young players who haven't had a chance to play and gone off to other teams and become really top players ...Example are James Hilgendoff,, Mitch Inman,, Mark Swanepoel,, Justin Turner,, Brock James ,, Such a pity as they could have been the foundation of our stocks with the few great players we have now..

[chibi]

I was kind of angling to ask that question, but the discussion never led there unfortunately.

[eleypinkbit]

The Rebels have a fan-instigated group called "The Rebel Army" that may be worth looking at as a possible model? I don't know anything about them but am happy to make enquiries as I 'know' them through Twitter.

I think Little Ox was involved in that for a while, but it was quite regimented and groups ended up splintering from it. I'm pretty sure she wasn't allowed to sit in her seat with a force jersey on, so sat with the innforcers instead

[shasta]

Thanks to those who attended. Hopefully the efforts to "encourage" development players to head West will bear some fruit. BUT, I'd prefer discussion on measures to encourage seasoned players to come here. Like a cap on how many top up players per franchise, relocation allowances, concessions on international marquee players. Solutions are better than reasons things can't be done.

[andrewM]

The Rebels have a fan-instigated group called "The Rebel Army" that may be worth looking at as a possible model? I don't know anything about them but am happy to make enquiries as I 'know' them through Twitter.

I have their email address somewhere.. We talked about asking the ARU if we could schedule the game closest to May the 4th as a Rebels vs Force game. The ARU came up with the old 'Too hard to schedule' chestnut.

Many thanks to those who attended, from what you have all said you have represented us admirably

[MI5_Dog]

a fan club that has representatives on the board in what ever fashion sounds like a great idea, but my question is, other than being informed and having a say what do people really want from this? What does a fan club have to achieve to be considered a success?

[Alison]

I would like it to work with RugbyWA on the promotion side of things - raising the profile of the Force and organising stuff like quiz nights, away tours, members events etc. A bit like a 'live' version of TWF? I need to do some research to see what sorts of models are out there.

[The InnFORCEr]

I need to do some research to see what sorts of models are out there.

If you are going to get models involved, can you also get the team some bloody cheerleaders

Alison, you're in charge

[jargan83]

I think Little Ox was involved in that for a while, but it was quite regimented and groups ended up splintering from it. I'm pretty sure she wasn't allowed to sit in her seat with a force jersey on, so sat with the innforcers instead

Correct on all counts.

I would like it to work with RugbyWA on the promotion side of things - raising the profile of the Force and organising stuff like quiz nights, away tours, members events etc. A bit like a 'live' version of TWF? I need to do some research to see what sorts of models are out there.

If you're going with an official registered supporters club I'm pretty sure you will need a Committee that meets at least once a month with the usual positions (President, Secretary etc).

Found this online as it covers associations which I think this would be.

http://www.dsr.wa.gov.au/docs/defaul...b.pdf?sfvrsn=4

Best of luck.

[hertryk]

I would like it to work with RugbyWA on the promotion side of things - raising the profile of the Force and organising stuff like quiz nights, away tours, members events etc. A bit like a 'live' version of TWF? I need to do some research to see what sorts of models are out there.

You know Alison I will provide assistance whenever and wherever possible

[jono]

I would like it to work with RugbyWA on the promotion side of things - raising the profile of the Force and organising stuff like quiz nights, away tours, members events etc. A bit like a 'live' version of TWF? I need to do some research to see what sorts of models are out there.

agree on all points but the tours.

they've worked damn well as an underground guerrilla operation thus far. making them formal and sanctioned would be selling out

[GIGS20]

agree on all points but the tours.

they've worked damn well as an underground guerrilla operation thus far. making them formal and sanctioned would be selling out

I don't see supporters' club tours having any conflict with innForcers. The Supporters Club stuff will be expensive, hosted by some rugby personality after-dinner-speaker, will have all sorts of restrictions and be covered by so many organisational policies and hoo-hah, that most of the current innForcers will stick with the "unsanitised" version.

I can't imagine an incorporated body with actual ties to a professional sporting organisation being allowed to do such things as a pub count for long (poor image and such like)