Central Coast - RL or Football Heartland

[bikinigirl]

Maybe ask members which club they play for (if any) then create a Mariners ambassador program

Let those people have a few free tix to spread around.

. this seems like a more measured approach

. bear in mind i have nothing to do with association football ... but i had heard that the mariners already gave quite a few tickets to local teams - but the same people use them each time and if they don't get their free ticket they don't go

 

[nebakke]

Absolutely couldnt agree more. We hear the excuses from individuals within the football community as the scheduling is wrong coz someone has to play when the Mariners are playing. But not everyone of the CC football community is playing at the same time as the Mariners. So convert those who are involved in CC football and dont go to the Mariners game and then obviously the crowds will improve. That should be enough as ADZ says to fill the stadium several times over without having to try and convert non football people to the games.

Hmm... I suspect the thing is that it's an either-or sort of situation for quite a few of these people. They commit to going to a local game, playing or watching, every weekend already... Another game might just be eating too much into other commitments.
I think a primary problem that we tend to run into when we try to do these analysis, is that we seem to be looking for ways to get people to every game. A better approach might be to look to sell more of the 6-game-type passes, getting a bigger spread of people spread across the home games. If we could get 20000 more 6-day passes out there, we'd probably be seeing at least 15.000+ crowds at more-or-less every game.... 20000 is a LOT of passes, but I still reckon it's a lot more likely than 20000 full members

I would question too, whether commitment as such is really the issue in the clubs. Certainly, I know that the Rams are fiercely proud of Matty Simon... A pride that has definitely converted to Mariners support as well. Granted, that sort of pride isn't relevant to all of the clubs, but my impression is that every kid in the clubs has a Mariner that they'd like to be. Indeed, it amazes me how many little Matty Ryan's we have on the coast... When I was a kid NOONE wanted to be keeper
Certainly, I think the Mariner Mates passes have done their bit for the memberships as well... And those are the ones that will convert in the long term.

 

[MrCelery]

I asked my wife today what answer she would give to a forum if asked why she no longer attends games.

For context, she was a passionate Newcastle KB United and Newcastle Breakers fan to the point of being in the former's cheer squad, and followed the teams to most away games. She has no interest in the Jets, and has only attended a few Mariners games at my insistence.

My wife said she lost all interest in the Socceroos after their loss to Iran. She lost all interest in the NSL after the destruction of the Breakers. It left a very bitter taste. For that reason she has no time for the Jets scum (thankfully). Her whole family were football fans, but since the demise of the Breakers, now follow AFL\Swans.

She says that she does not feel any connection to the Mariners or the A-League, despite my interest. Unfortunately her attitude has rubbed off on my 9.9 year old daughter, who used to play football, but has now switched to netball.

I'm hoping one day that my daughter might get an re-interested in football. But being from Newcastle where all her friends are, I'm resigned to her one day following the Scum.

I get the strong feeling that once a person switches off like this it is next-to-impossible to switch them back on again. (Horse, water, drink, etc.) Goodness knows, I've tried. Instead, resources are perhaps best spent on capturing the next generation, and hanging onto them.

 

[MagpieMariner]

Hmm... I suspect the thing is that it's an either-or sort of situation for quite a few of these people. They commit to going to a local game, playing or watching, every weekend already... Another game might just be eating too much into other commitments.
I think a primary problem that we tend to run into when we try to do these analysis, is that we seem to be looking for ways to get people to every game. A better approach might be to look to sell more of the 6-game-type passes, getting a bigger spread of people spread across the home games. If we could get 20000 more 6-day passes out there, we'd probably be seeing at least 15.000+ crowds at more-or-less every game.... 20000 is a LOT of passes, but I still reckon it's a lot more likely than 20000 full members

I would question too, whether commitment as such is really the issue in the clubs. Certainly, I know that the Rams are fiercely proud of Matty Simon... A pride that has definitely converted to Mariners support as well. Granted, that sort of pride isn't relevant to all of the clubs, but my impression is that every kid in the clubs has a Mariner that they'd like to be. Indeed, it amazes me how many little Matty Ryan's we have on the coast... When I was a kid NOONE wanted to be keeper
Certainly, I think the Mariner Mates passes have done their bit for the memberships as well... And those are the ones that will convert in the long term.

What amazes me is the fact my grandsons (caucasian lads) both want to be Bernie. They haven't registered that Bernie is different to them. I hope they can keep this attitude for the rest of their lives.

 

[midfielder]

I asked my wife today what answer she would give to a forum if asked why she no longer attends games.

For context, she was a passionate Newcastle KB United and Newcastle Breakers fan to the point of being in the former's cheer squad, and followed the teams to most away games. She has no interest in the Jets, and has only attended a few Mariners games at my insistence.

My wife said she lost all interest in the Socceroos after their loss to Iran. She lost all interest in the NSL after the destruction of the Breakers. It left a very bitter taste. For that reason she has no time for the Jets scum (thankfully). Her whole family were football fans, but since the demise of the Breakers, now follow AFL\Swans.

She says that she does not feel any connection to the Mariners or the A-League, despite my interest. Unfortunately her attitude has rubbed off on my 9.9 year old daughter, who used to play football, but has now switched to netball.

I'm hoping one day that my daughter might get an re-interested in football. But being from Newcastle where all her friends are, I'm resigned to her one day following the Scum.

I get the strong feeling that once a person switches off like this it is next-to-impossible to switch them back on again. (Horse, water, drink, etc.) Goodness knows, I've tried. Instead, resources are perhaps best spent on capturing the next generation, and hanging onto them.

When I was a much younger man and eager to educate myself and discover the world.... the best education I ever received was from an a guy who was in his last years in charge and was grooming me as his replacement...

He took me to lunch on day and told me the following and I can still recall it today almost word for word... without doubt for me anyway the best advise I have ever been given...

Midfielder he said """ Do a good job for a client and they will tell maybe 10 people, do a bad job for someone and they will tell the world ..... and the money wasted on trying to get new clients could often be spent on making sure we keep existing clients happy... because once a client is lost they are lost forever telling the world how bad we are""""

Mr C you make an excellent point and it rings true with my advise .... the AFL call it a churn over rate but every season they say they loose 10% of their members and need to gain another 10% ... what the understand is if the 10% go because they can not afford it or circumstances mean they cannot attend but will come back when it suits... BUT to loose someone as a watcher means they will never return... Your wife's attitude is very common and is a lesson for us all...

Look after the existing fan base .... then look to see how to expand ....

 

[Gratis]

I asked my wife today what answer she would give to a forum if asked why she no longer attends games.

For context, she was a passionate Newcastle KB United and Newcastle Breakers fan to the point of being in the former's cheer squad, and followed the teams to most away games. She has no interest in the Jets, and has only attended a few Mariners games at my insistence.

My wife said she lost all interest in the Socceroos after their loss to Iran. She lost all interest in the NSL after the destruction of the Breakers. It left a very bitter taste. For that reason she has no time for the Jets scum (thankfully). Her whole family were football fans, but since the demise of the Breakers, now follow AFL\Swans.

She says that she does not feel any connection to the Mariners or the A-League, despite my interest. Unfortunately her attitude has rubbed off on my 9.9 year old daughter, who used to play football, but has now switched to netball.

I'm hoping one day that my daughter might get an re-interested in football. But being from Newcastle where all her friends are, I'm resigned to her one day following the Scum.

I get the strong feeling that once a person switches off like this it is next-to-impossible to switch them back on again. (Horse, water, drink, etc.) Goodness knows, I've tried. Instead, resources are perhaps best spent on capturing the next generation, and hanging onto them.

I suspect the way your wife feels is how I would have felt for a long time if they'd relocated the Mariners

 

[LFCMariners]

If it wasn't for the Mariners, I would have virtually no interest in the A-League. There is so much that still needs to change in order for it to be a competition I would take seriously on its' own merit. Without us, the A League is a plastic organisation full of entities that elicit little/ no emotion. Even back in the NSL days, although many people didn't follow it because it was a shambles, if there had been a Central Coast team I would have gone to matches.

Hence, when the Mariners began in 2005 I was a follower, even though by that stage I had relocated to the Gold Coast.

 

[scottmac]

If it wasn't for the Mariners, I would have virtually no interest in the A-League. There is so much that still needs to change in order for it to be a competition I would take seriously on its' own merit. Without us, the A League is a plastic organisation full of entities that elicit little/ no emotion. Even back in the NSL days, although many people didn't follow it because it was a shambles, if there had been a Central Coast team I would have gone to matches.

Hence, when the Mariners began in 2005 I was a follower, even though by that stage I had relocated to the Gold Coast.

Same.

I left the Coast for Sydney in 2001. As soon as I heard there was going to be a Coast team I was all over it.

 

[MrCelery]

Just goes to show there are as many different motivations as there are fans.

Myself, being a '10 Pound Pom', I have football in the veins. Since arriving in Australia when I was 12 I have tried to play and support all codes. I came from a Rugby school, but followed European football due to my English\Dutch roots. Played only unorganized street football as a pre-teen. Played football, basketball, AFL, and Rugby League in my teens at school. But finally lost interest in all the latter codes and played\watched football exclusively on leaving school.

My interest in EPL and Euro football has waned to be replaced by a devotion to the A-League. I only bother with the FA Cup and occasional big match now, usually involving Nottingham Forest. I was a massive supporter of the NSL until the Breakers demise, but then dropped all interest in local football, apart from the Socceroos, for seven years until the Mariners arrived.

From Newcastle I have zero connection to the Central Coast, except through the Mariners, but joined the Yellow Army mainly to spite the Scum and support a genuine community club. That was the very best decision I have ever made!

 

[finally retired]

I am always "pleasantly" surprised at the number of pommie accents at the football...being a "10 pound pom" myself. My kids played all kinds of sports growing up.....baseball, cricket, rugby (union and league), AFL, surf lifesaving, and of course football. like any good parent I coached/managed/officiated or helped out in any way I could at all of them. As they've grown up and become adults, the only sport they continue to play is football. And one of my pleasures is being able to go to a Mariners game with one or more of them. If there was no Mariners, I probably wouldn't support another A-league team. I'd look for an "over 55's" team to play for or just go and watch the sons and grandchildren play local football.

 

[MagpieMariner]

I grew up in Aussie Rules heartland (Tassie) and played that game and then field hockey after I was forced to wear specs. I had a lot of mates playing football at my school (we had a high percentage of Dutchies there) but I always considered football to be the most boring game ever invented by man! How could you bother watching 22 blokes running up and down a paddock for 90 minutes and no-one scoring!
Then back at the beginning of season 3 my son-in-law & my daughter invited me to come with them to Bluetongue to watch a match (Mariners v Glory pre-season we lost 3-0). We sat next to the Marinators and I enjoyed the atmosphere so much I came to a few more matches. I started to connect with "my local team" and by the end of the season I was hooked. My best memory is of sitting in the Kendall Bar watching the Smurfs and the Roar self-destruct and gift us the Premiership (I still thought of it as the minor premiership). Since then I have been a member and will continue to be so while ever the Mariners exist. If they disappear so will my interest in football, I'll go back to just being a Collingwood tragic. Unless of course a Tassie team joins the A-League.

 

[Wombat]

I asked my wife today what answer she would give to a forum if asked why she no longer attends games.

For context, she was a passionate Newcastle KB United and Newcastle Breakers fan to the point of being in the former's cheer squad, and followed the teams to most away games. She has no interest in the Jets, and has only attended a few Mariners games at my insistence.


My wife said she lost all interest in the Socceroos after their loss to Iran. She lost all interest in the NSL after the destruction of the Breakers. It left a very bitter taste. For that reason she has no time for the Jets scum (thankfully). Her whole family were football fans, but since the demise of the Breakers, now follow AFL\Swans.

She says that she does not feel any connection to the Mariners or the A-League, despite my interest. Unfortunately her attitude has rubbed off on my 9.9 year old daughter, who used to play football, but has now switched to netball.

I'm hoping one day that my daughter might get an re-interested in football. But being from Newcastle where all her friends are, I'm resigned to her one day following the Scum.

I get the strong feeling that once a person switches off like this it is next-to-impossible to switch them back on again. (Horse, water, drink, etc.) Goodness knows, I've tried. Instead, resources are perhaps best spent on capturing the next generation, and hanging onto them.

Macca...the Swans...FFS!

Time to move your family to the coast my friend.

 

[MrCelery]

I am always "pleasantly" surprised at the number of pommie accents at the football...being a "10 pound pom" myself.

I don't have the Pommy accent any longer. Managed to ditch that very early after my arrival. However, I've been told it sometimes resurfaces slightly after a few too many beers\wines!

 

[MrCelery]

I always considered football to be the most boring game ever invented by man! How could you bother watching 22 blokes running up and down a paddock for 90 minutes and no-one scoring!
Then back at the beginning of season 3 ....We sat next to the Marinators and I enjoyed the atmosphere so much I came to a few more matches.

Interesting point. The atmosphere at football is so superior to other codes and will attract new fans. However, it needs to be coupled with a deeper understanding of the 'beautiful game' to ensure longevity of support. Once you realise that football tactics are so superior to the boring 'run 5 feet, pass, tackle, run five feet, pass, tackle, kick\useless scrum' of Rugby League, the true value of a football emerges.

Couple that with removing the blinkered xenophobic Aussie view to see the richness of the world of football compared to the limitations of Aussie Rules\NRL, and your hooked.

 

[Phish Phart]

........ Goodness knows, I've tried. Instead, resources are perhaps best spent on capturing the next generation, and hanging onto them.

Maybe you've been trying too hard. Try a bit of reverse psychology instead

 

[Big Al]

Well I could go on for way to long on this - As a made sports fan - I've followed plenty so I'll try to summaries in points

1. TV - The God & devil rolled into one - Will never ever go to a State of Origin game again (best RL there is) To good at home - Cheaper better view - Fox sports has excellent coverage of A League (helps grow it - but how many watch at home not at the ground)

2. RL - Yes Still believe the coast is RL heartland - Playing numbers don't mean much - Almost everyone has a team they follow & watch - It is becoming a game only for the superior athletes - Rich pickings for the smaller boy with great footwork to play real football - The radio also commented on low BT crowds - Answer was now they have shelved a Coast team for 4 years or what ever it is they have lost hope - Rich pickings for CCM - Most hard core Rugby League fans don't like other sports

3. EVERONE LOVES A WINNER BABY - Time to cash in on being the champs - New Owner - New Community pride - No games till October - The love & some players & coach maybe gone by the time it starts again. Who will buy membership now for October (new members not the loyal hard core)

4. Community Pride - Me & the missus are new to the area - I love sport - She tollarates sport (but loves a day out at the sport with me) - She was actually at me knowing I love sport & real football we should we should go - Now hooked glad I did - See point 5

5. Atmosphere - WSW - Driveby's - I finally said to the missus after settling in lets go to the Mariners against the WSW (where I grew up) I knew the atmosphere would be great & I was keen to view the RBB in full voice (It was awesome). Soon as we got through the gates straight to the CCM merchandise for a scarf each - While I'm from WSW originally I'm now a coastie so on go the coastie colours (& one eyed yellow glasses). But as a fan I'd rather go to a game where there are 15,000 than 5,000 - An empty stadium sucks vs. a full one - Casual people will go if they think everyone else is going & they missing out

6. Some people just don't like watching a sport they play ( I myself can't understand it) - But some of those weekend players don't rate the A League or wont watch it - Or some parents put there kids into football because they have to play something but won't let them watch it on TV or take them to a game - While at the MV Semi-Final the family in front of me was 2 boys probably 6 +8 husband & wife- The husband glued to the game, one son was reading a lego book & the other playing with Mum's I phone & mum enjoying them being quite. My wife blew up mate if that's was my kids I'd make them watch the game. She remembered going to North Sydney Bears games with her dad & what a thrill. The mum heard my wife & turned around & said they are fine thanks. My wife's reply was they should be enjoying the game what an atmosphere. The mum spent the rest of the game doing canteen trips to feed the kids & keep them quite - Then they upt'd & left with 10 mins to go (are F kidding me) They won't be back so I owe you guy's 4 fans but we don't need em

7. Cost - I'll pay to go but some wont - Some will only go to the big games. While they are hardly expensive some probably don't even know the actual price

8. Media - I listen to 101.3 & they have plenty to do with the mariners & the advocate is great to - If you could get them to pump people to go as well as talking about it might help

There's probably plenty more but that ramble is long enough as BG says - Work to be done before tonigt

 

[Gratis]

Arnie's commented on this now as well - if someone can link the article from fox sports page please?

 

[bikinigirl]

Arnie's commented on this now as well - if someone can link the article from fox sports page please?

. this one?

http://www.foxsports.com.au/footbal...ast/story-e6frf4gl-1226632024887#.UX8Og7VTBv4

 

[Big Al]

Only problem is getting sponsors - The RL will stop coming soon if they get those crowds - So while great for football - A small area like ours probably needs both going well to attract people & sponsors to the area.

How could would it have been to have tonight's game on a Saturday night or Sunday arvo (Dreaming & I know it's not possible but would have been a cracker)

 

[BrisRecky]

I'm sorta along the same lines as Celery...got over here from Maastricht (at a slightly higher rate than 10 quid, probably 25 quid) and dads brother has shared his love of football with me ( while the old man crumbled and started bagging soccer and following south sydney, to fit in presumably) as a matter of fact, it was my uncle that got me into Man U proper, ...I have reciprocated and sent him a stack of Mariner stuff (including dvds I knocked together for him)....and I watch the EPL on fox and dutch stuff on the computer, I followed the NSL to its dying breath BUT when I heard there was gonna be a game at BT with alledged ties to a new comp starting up, I was there with bells on.