Here's Your Chance Campbelltown

[watersider]

That's your opinion, and you're entitled to it. You make some valid points but I think we will have to agree to disagree on this one. My reference to the movie ticket pricing wasn't that WT are given carte blanche to rip the fans off because movie tickets are expensive but moreso "look what Hoyts offers you for $20, and look what LO/CSS offers you for $30."

Drop the prices by all means, if it's financially viable. If it's not, then we will have to look at moving to a larger stadium full time in order to drop prices. I don't expect WT to run at a loss.

I'll leave the film ticket argument, that seems to have gone off on a very different tangent then what was being discussed previously.

I think the idea that the club needs to find bigger stadiums if the club is going to drop the price of tickets is contrary to the overall point of my post. Firstly, we don't need bigger stadiums because there is only one ground that regularly reaches near capacity. Secondly, the idea behind dropping prices is about giving fans access to something they will want to come back to. Homebush is a rubbish stadium for club games and should never be considered a viable option.

I think gameday is an access point for fans to see the club. While gate receipts are obvious of vital importance to clubs, it is only one stream of income in a much more sophisticated business these days. Essentially, I believe that if you drop the price of general admission you would increase the size of your home crowds (is that a ridiculous idea?). I believe that any loss that stems from this drop in price is countered by the stronger connection the club has developed with its fan base. If you can create a culture of getting to matches you also improve sales on merchandise, food and you strengthen a fans commitment to the team. This can lead to that fan bringing more people to the game and building the supporter base overall. If you have a prohibitive ticket price then you weaken the connection a fan has to the club; this has long term consequences for the club and leads to a lack of growth in the supporter base. I believe most clubs have stupidly overvalued their tickets which is leading to very poor crowds. That is why I am particularly keen to see very cheap tickets for kids u/16, because your not going to get much money from them at this stage but you hope that they are familiar enough with going to matches that when they get older and can afford to attend matches they will be interested in doing so. At this point we have too many fans content to watch the game at home. This is bad for the club.

You'd think that the NRL would catch onto this and would subsidise clubs to drop the price of tickets but because they have been owned by foxtel, it is obviously counter to their interests to do so. More bums on seats at home watching the footy means higher revenue raised from advertising for the footy rights they (foxtel) buy at a special mates rates price point. I'm glad that the Commision has come into the game, but I am disappointed that they haven't raised this as a significant issue. Rugby League is doing really well in everything except the size of crowds. This is a much bigger problem then people are willing to accept.

Bigger stadiums is a poor solution, dropping prices makes sense.

 

[Benjirific]

Certainly the point made yesterday by Brad Walter in the Herald is a valid one in relation to Origin.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/the-threeheaded-monster-that-is-swallowing-the-nrl-20120528-1zeav.html

I think that article just about puts the nail in the coffin of this thread. We can't deny our club can be susceptible to general factors impacting the entire NRL and it looks like this has occurred over the weekend. From my own experience, I will always watch the live Friday night game, but I didn't watch it on Friday. Not sure why, it may have been because it looked an ordinary game especially in relation to Wednesday night, but I just could not be bothered on Friday evening.

The crowd was low by Wests Tigers standards, but we still had the biggest crowd of all the Sydney games against a team with no away fans. It actually reinforces the claims of Campbelltown to retain an NRL presence and in answering the ludicrous title of the thread, Campbelltown has taken its "chance".

In my opinion, all costs aside, Campbelltown has NOT taken it's chance.

If the cost is too much for some people, then I'm guessing they would choose one game from the 4 which they could go to. We've won 4 in a row, playing the side coming 4th, 2 of the best players in the world, sunny Sunday afternoon, Robbie coming off a great Origin performance, we should be packing this place out.

People who complain about others not travelling, that is irrelevant. There should be 18,000+ local Tigers fans who can afford and have the ability to go to this game, let alone others who will travel to the game regardless.

I believe Campbelltown is a key part of the future of this club, but I can't see how the club can move more games there, from a financial or other point of view, if people don't turn up. I hope when we get another of these Sunday arvo games against the Roosters at Leichhardt, we pack the place out. Then again when we play the Panthers on the Sat night. I used to be proud of the fact we had the best crowds in Sydney, but unfortunately we can't say that anymore. Lets get out and support the club people!

 

[watersider]

Look, I'm sorry, but if $30 is more than the Tigers are worth to you then I don't need you as a fan. You're not going to be there when they're crap again, you're not going to show up when it's cold or raining or the oppo are too bad or too good. $30, with all respect to people who are really struggling, is not that much money.

On the other points:
New jerseys: don't buy them if you don't want them. I've got one Tigers jersey and I'm not short of cash. I don't like the ones they've used for the past season and a half, so I haven't bought one. Am I 'less of a fan' because of that? No.
Ridiculously expensive soggy pies: take a sandwich for goodness sake. Or eat before the game. Can't you go 90 minutes without eating? Sunday was a 3pm kick off - what meal time did that cover?
Average big screens: cry me a river. If I wanted to watch the game on TV I'd stay at home.
Sponsors promotions that they pass as halftime 'entertainment': sorry, I care about this why? What do you expect for your $30? The best rugby league players in the world plus 12 minutes of U2 during oranges? I generally spend half time whingeing to my mates about how crap we've been first dig anyway, I don't care what's going on on the pitch.

I love the argument that if you don't come to games then you're not a true fan. Are you sure you are selective enough though? I think not only should a fan be required to attend matches (if they want to be a true fan), but they must also spend $50 a week at the pokies at one of four select venues. And they must also spend five hours a week (minimum) on here ensuring they post inane garbage about how Sheens should be sacked and Moltzen must be dropped (or else they will stop supporting the club). Only then should a fan be able to say: 'I am a Wests Tigers supporter.'

The truth is, it doesn't matter how much of a fan someone is because it isn't a competition. You support the club? great. You don't? okay. The point of my argument is that $30 is prohibitive to some people who would otherwise come to games. If you want to say: 'stuff them because they don't care enough', then that is fine. But, the club certainly can't be so complacent.

You make a fair point about the grievances I raised about the match day experience. I hope you noted that I reccommended only that prices be dropped for GA, u/16 kids get in free or very cheap and that food be made more affordable. I made no requests for U2 at halftime, but I just wanted to point out that the treatment of fans once they get into the ground doesn't exactly encourage the mildly interested fan to come back (but you don't care about them anyway because they are not welcome in your exclusive little club-so I suppose we should just dismiss those concerns). So while I don't care about match day experience items that I mentioned, and I'm perfectly happy bringing food to the game or eating before or after a match, I just think it is worth reflecting on whether or not the club SHOULD attempt to gouge its fans so flagrantly once it gets them into the ground.

I also think that while anyone can probably deal with a one off $30 purchase, we are not talking about one off purchases. We are talking about a fan coming to the majority of matches, and that $30 ticket becomes a significant figure to many low income earners (who are also probably our biggest market). Add to this that many people have families and I don't think it is a stretch to say that $30 is expensive for a ticket. But, I suppose you don't think it is expensive so everyone should probably be able to afford it.

This idea that we are watching 'the best rugby league players in the world' is a bit ridiculous as well. Say instead 'just about the only rugby league players in the world' and you are getting more accurate.

So I've tried to argue that $30 is getting in the way of bring a fan into the fold. You've said we don't need fans who won't cough up $30 because that price isn't expensive. It comes down to whether you believe that $30 is prohibitive to fans who would otherwise come to a game. I certainly think that is the case for many fans. You are not willing to classify these people as 'fans'. So be it.

 

[cochise]

The stupid thing in this whole debate is the fact I was extremely disappointed in the crowd on Sunday and agreed with most of the points the people I am now disagree with put forward. I just got put offside by people claiming that if $30 is too much then you are not a fan of the club. That is incredibly disrespectful to a lot of people.

 

[GNR4LIFE]

Are you saying the fact it is illegal to download a movie does not stop some people from doing it, of course it does. So your comparison is still not valid, but you are welcome to keep trying.

Yes that is what I'm saying… :unamused:

My point is the legalities are not an issue. People can and will do it ergo people can watch a movie at home for free when it's at the cinema.

The whole point is lost on you anyway, so I have no interest in debating it further.

How is the point lost on me, you can not compare going to the movies to going to the football, when the football is readily available at home for free and legally. You might aswell say that because the movies are easy to sneak into that they are also available for free.

Get with the times mate. Downloading is as common watching a movie on TV wether you have a problem with the legalities or not

 

[cochise]

Are you saying the fact it is illegal to download a movie does not stop some people from doing it, of course it does. So your comparison is still not valid, but you are welcome to keep trying.

Yes that is what I'm saying… :unamused:

My point is the legalities are not an issue. People can and will do it ergo people can watch a movie at home for free when it's at the cinema.

The whole point is lost on you anyway, so I have no interest in debating it further.

How is the point lost on me, you can not compare going to the movies to going to the football, when the football is readily available at home for free and legally. You might aswell say that because the movies are easy to sneak into that they are also available for free.

Get with the times mate. Downloading is as common watching a movie on TV wether you have a problem with the legalities or not

I dont have a problem with it, I do it all the time, but to say it as common or as easy as watching a movie or sport (which is the comparison being made) on tv is simply not true.

This whole tangent is so far of the topic and the only reason I raised it in the 1st place was to highlight the fact that people comparing ticket prices between the movies and football are not comparing apples with apples.

 

[Gary_Bakerloo]

I used to be proud of the fact we had the best crowds in Sydney, but unfortunately we can't say that anymore. Lets get out and support the club people!

[/QUOTE][/QUOTE][/QUOTE][/QUOTE][/QUOTE]

Not sure about you, but I will still say we have the best crowds in Sydney based on those numbers.

As I said, there was a more general effect over the weekend that impacted crowds at all games. The crowd was low by Wests Tigers standards in recent years. The crowd was actually right on the long term average for Campbelltown (13,044). For your reference, the long term Leichhardt average is 13,692.

 

[Goose]

I used to be proud of the fact we had the best crowds in Sydney, but unfortunately we can't say that anymore. Lets get out and support the club people!

Not sure about you, but I will still say we have the best crowds in Sydney based on those numbers.

As I said, there was a more general effect over the weekend that impacted crowds at all games. The crowd was low by Wests Tigers standards in recent years. The crowd was actually right on the long term average for Campbelltown (13,044). For your reference, the long term Leichhardt average is 13,692.

exactly. The crowd was approximately in line with what you expect.

As for prices, I think $30 is pricey for a game of footy, but never think twice about paying it, that may change if I had a different fiscal situation.

Do junior players still get the pass?? when i was a kid we all got a pass and could go to any game without cost.

As for reducing prices, by how far?? How many people didn't go because the cost was $30, but would have went if it was $25 or $20?? Id think it would be relatively low.

If we go all the way to $10 entry we would prob fill the joint, but lose money on the day

 

[2041]

I've said it three or four times but it seems to keep being ignored so I'll do it again: I feel very sorry for people who can't afford to go to games. I know some people can't afford $30\. Some people also can't afford $5\. It's a shame.

What I'm talking about is people who can afford it but choose not to. That's ok - each to their own. I also don't like phrases like "true fan" or whatever; hey, I only arrived in the country in 2006 so there are plenty of people who wouldn't consider me a "true fan". However, if you've got the money to go to games but you don't, and you make excuses for that decision along the lines of "it's too expensive/there's inadequate car parking/I can't see the big screen" then I'm afraid I don't have as much respect for you as a fan. Again, like you care.

 

[AndTheKungFoSing]

I used to be proud of the fact we had the best crowds in Sydney, but unfortunately we can't say that anymore. Lets get out and support the club people!

Not sure about you, but I will still say we have the best crowds in Sydney based on those numbers.

As I said, there was a more general effect over the weekend that impacted crowds at all games. The crowd was low by Wests Tigers standards in recent years. The crowd was actually right on the long term average for Campbelltown (13,044). For your reference, the long term Leichhardt average is 13,692.

What is your long term average? I think it's redundant factoring in figures any more than 3yrs ago to be honest.
That said, it was a beautiful Sunday afternoon.. 13k is pathetic.

 

[innsaneink]

It may be pathetic but its reality
Accept it…its what it is.
At least those 13000 went....98% of the people at my work have a team but never go to the footy

 

[tig_prmz]

origin affected every team, not just us. as for the prices, 30 dollars may not be much when compared to 25, but if u wanna take a whole family, then it will cost ya.

as for talking about piracy, movies, internet etc. you're at the wrong place, i'll redirect you:
http://www.weststigersforum.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=9&time=1338362800

 

[AndTheKungFoSing]

It may be pathetic but its reality
Accept it…its what it is.
At least those 13000 went....98% of the people at my work have a team but never go to the footy

NEVER!!!! [/end superhero voice]

I think you are right though, the league has a problem in attracting people through the gates in general. Bar the Broncos. What is it that the Broncos are doing to drive consistent numbers?

Not getting into a here vs there argument and ignoring the financials… would we see higher crowd numbers if we played all our games from LO or CS?

For me there is a lot more to attending a game of league. My old man and I love the trip out to LO, I remember him taking me there as a kid, the game catered to kids, it became a spectacle. I remember getting into the change rooms and hassling a man mountain Siro for an autograph when he just wanted to get changed lol... These are the reasons I attend games, not to hassle the man mountain while he changes lol but because I have fond memories and it becomes nostalgic.

The league only ever touches on the whole "be a true supported" tactics to drive memberships and attendance. The game needs to target families and have families install that same feelings that will create a sense of nostalgia I experience.

The league demographic have a high sense of loyalaty, to brands, foods, sports... everything. Use this sense of loyalty to drive long term behaviour.

 

[Glen_McWilliams]

What is it that the Broncos are doing to drive consistent numbers?

Apart from having one team representing a city of 2,000,000 people I'm not too sure…

 

[RatedRKO]

Settle down everyone, I have found the issue. It's real easy to fix too.

There were no cheerleaders at half time. Souths got rid of them and their game was the least attended of the round.

You're welcome WT. :wink: