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Hey there, here's a small rundown of the mini-meeting at RugbyWA HQ.
Main Question: How do we retain new members for more than one season?
The good news is, that 400-500 new members are joining the the Western Force every season since the move to the rectangular stadium. Unfortunately, an extremely high percentage of those new members are not renewing, they are leaving after just one season. Mark knows that the obvious way to retain these new members is for the team to be successful, but aside from that, the Force are looking for other ways to retain these members for more than one season. The Force are throwing this question open to the forum for any constructive suggestions and ideas. Do we need the match-day to be more festive? Do we need more orchestrated crowd involvement? Is there a more social aspect that can be tapped into, through social media and forum meet-ups at the ground? Should new members be welcomed to the games by established members? Would established members like to participate in this? They are open to discussion.
Initiatives for junior fans of the Force
The Force are interested in your thoughts for the young fans of the game. Would you like to see more kids' activities at the ground? Is the Force affordable for whole families to come along, including all the kids? Should the kids have there own Kid's Fan Club? Could there be give-aways or discounts for children who are members of the Kid's Fan Club? Should there be more kids' fans days? What would you like to see at the game, or elsewhere, for kids?
Any thoughts on nib Stadium
The next question that the Force are looking for feedback on, is the venue itself. Is it convenient? Are people happy with the venue? What about the price of the food and drinks? Any suggestions about the venue itself would be welcomed.
Suggestions for the next members' meeting
The Force are open to ideas for their members' meetings. What would you like to see? Talk to the refs, a player's panel, a lady's night, details of training sessions, what would you like to see? etc.
So anyway here's a recap of the questions:
- What initiatives would you like to see for children who are fans of the Western Force?
- What are your thoughts and suggestions on nib Stadium?
- What sort of ideas and style are you looking for with the Members' Meetings?
And the main question:
- How do we help retain new members for more than the one season?
Please bear in mind that the examples listed underneath the questions above are only brainstorming, they are not the only that options that are being discussed. They are open to any suggestions for any and all of the questions
Last edited by chibi; 23-08-16 at 21:49.
Japan and the Pacific Islands for Aussie Super 9's!
Let's have one of these in WA! Click this link: Saitama Super Arena - New Perth Stadium?
I dont think us talking to the refs would be useful, at least out of season. Having a player or two at the meeting might be good.
"12 Years aSupporter" starring the #SeaOfBlue
I wrote an idea for Junior Members of the Force -which was given to HerTryk to pass on to Mr Sinderberry. No doubt in my mind that he didnt receive it. I guess it just wasnt what they were looking for.
Exile
Sydney
"Pain heels. Chicks dig scars and Glory lasts forever." Shane Falco
Japan and the Pacific Islands for Aussie Super 9's!
Let's have one of these in WA! Click this link: Saitama Super Arena - New Perth Stadium?
How to retain new members?
Give a returning second year member a discount on their membership. Better to retain a member at a 10% or 20% discount in the second year than not retain them at all. This gives you a 2 year window to get that member involved and caring about the Force. After that they can be returned to normal membership pricing.
NIB Stadium
Play up the Sea of Blue angle and introduce an area at the Shed End of the ground. Similar to the Highlanders and their "Zoo" which is basically the Dunedin Uni students going crazy and getting pissed...but cheering the team none the less. Call it "Breakers" or something similar playing up the "Sea of Blue" name.
If you cant do that at the Shed end. Shake up the members pregame bar and call it "Breakers". Serve full strength beer and invest in some TV's to show the prior Super Rugby games from NZ or east coast prior to the Force game. Like we used to do at Subi Oval with the marquee on Kitchener Park.
For crowd involvement ideas look at the pregame for the Seattle Seahawks in the NFL and their crowd engagement through the 12th man.
While we consistently have about 5,000+ spare seats, any adult member should able able to take four or five kids along free. Utilise the old Family Stand end for seating (ie non pre booked seating or minimal to be sold) so they can sit anywhere down that end.
Have the half time junior players based down there so those that don't yet play get to mix it with the kids that do, allow clubs to recruit down that way, focus some of the kids entertainment down there (Westie & Co). Players heading that way straight after the game for some engagement and autographs, selfies etc. Let the half time juniors bring a non playing mate along, the next time they may want to be able to paly at half time.
Basically, let the kids come for free while the seats are vacant, make them want to come and then when it is no longer free when we can pack the place, it will be easier to convince them to pay.
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
Discount the memberships for people who play Rugby for a club in a similar way the WACA discounts it's membership for people who play Cricket for a club.
At the moment club people get 1 free pass to any home game they want as a general admin ticket, Following the WACA example I don't think it would be too hard to implement.
Benefit to both RugbyWA and the Club set up.
How to convince others to watch live instead of at home or pub?
Start would be beer not costing double than the pub. it is mid-strength after all.
Let's get all the players to go over and greet the fans after a game
not a select few, not those that feel like it, ALL of them regardless of how the game went or how they feel,.
Last edited by MI5_Dog; 24-08-16 at 12:11.
- I like the idea of taking kids for free, since there are heaps of spare seats. Or even make it really cheap, so that you are not cannibalising too much. This also breeds future members/players
- Have foxtel at the game prior so that we can sit at breakers, have a couple of mids (
) and watch the previous matches.
- i really liked a couple of years back when they had posters and signs on the train bridge from claisebrook train station - really gets you excited and in the mood for the rugby. Also good advertising!
- Venue is great - would love some better range of drinks, and less expensive food options.
Real beer
Drink prices where you don't have to skip a mortgage payment to have more than 2
And - LET THE KIDS KICK A FOOTY ON THE PITCH AFTER THE GAME. Whilst mingling with the players
Anyone else remember doing that watching WAFL games back in the day? Was great
Agree it's a great venue, but would be nice, after paying a membership to have cheaper prices for drinks and at least more variety of food like we used to have. A great possibility to bring in food trucks which serve fantastic options. On another note, we sit in front of one of the corporate 'yards', and am sick to death of half eaten chicken legs and empty glasses getting chucked down on top of us, and while most of the banter is great, the last home game we had some pretty pissed SAs behind us with not too choice language for everyone nearby. If companies are using these 'corporate' boxes, they should be made more accountable for controlling their pissed clients/staff/mates, especially when you've got your company logo plastered all over the side! At Suncorp everyone is told to call a no. to report nobheads, and have seen a few getting chucked out by security. Can't see how the skinny 6stone guy asleep on a chair on the field is going to stop anyone.
Have got friends down South would love to be able to bring the kids more often, but there's not a lot of incentive to attract them price wise. We need to encourage people from outside of the city as well.