Hey Guys,
I have been reading this forum for around 7 years and felt compelled to join after reading this discussion thread. I work in the Sporting Industry and would like to clear a few things up for you regarding Membership and the way it works.
Firstly, I would like to address the original issue that resulted in the creation of this thread. Purchasing a 4 Game Membership for Leichhardt Oval is just that, a 4 Game Membership for the specified ground. This Membership package does not in any way create a falsified perception that you can attend the one match and bring along 3 guests. This Membership package was designed for those people who have a passion for Leichhardt Oval and perhaps are unable to travel to our other two home grounds. I would implore you all to read the terms and conditions of each Membership prior to purchasing.
One question I would like to ask you guys is that when entering Leichhardt Oval are you required to scan your Membership card at the turnstile or do you simply show your card to the gate attendant as if you had a paper ticket?
The reason I ask this question is that the barcodes on any Membership card (for any code) only allow for one entry per match. If you were to turn up on match day expecting that you can scan your card multiple times you will be in for a rude awakening. The turnstiles that exist outside a ground are directly linked to the ticketing agency's system, which in the Tiger's case is Ticketek. Put simply, ticketing systems will not allow for multiple entries.
Further to the previous point, when a Membership card is misplaced and the club is issuing a replacement card they are required to cancel the old card's barcode. Why? Simply to avoid the issue of people double scanning cards. If your Membership card ends up in the hands of another person and they just so happen to attend the same match as you (and enter the ground before you) your barcode will not work and it will simply say that you have already entered the ground. The Club (and all clubs for that matter) have these processes set in place to ensure that their Members are looked after first.
Barcodes are used to track Member attendance data and if you are not scanning your card when entering the ground the Club must look at upgrading the turnstiles at Leichhardt. Attendance date is vital to a Club's Membership team as they look create targeted campaigns for renewals whilst also tracking member attendance trends year on year.
The issuing of paper tickets has been raised and I would like to make you aware of how outdated such a system is. Providing Members with paper tickets is very costly for a club as it is extremely time consuming for the admin staff, let alone the price that it costs the Club to print thousands of tickets off year on year.
There has also been some comments regarding the scheduling of matches and people's inability to attend. Rugby League is no longer just a sport, it is entertainment. Whilst fans can be frustrated by the NRL not announcing the draw for an entire season you must also recognise the contractual obligations that the NRL has to Foxsports and Channel Nine. Fans love being able to watch a game of footy four nights a week. If the NRL was to reduce the number of nights that footy is played on the game will suffer as they will not be able to command anywhere near as much money when the TV rights deal is being negotiated. The other two prominent national football competitions (AFL and A-League) both play midweek games and have their matches spread across four nights a week in order to maximise revenue and this will not change. If the NRL was to revert back to the old Friday to Sunday footy the competition and its fans would suffer.
I must admit that I find it appalling that there are so many people on here who are quick to say that they will not be renewing their Membership next year. I would consider anyone who contributes on this forum to be a passionate supporter of the Club, and you are exactly the kind of people that must remain involved. You should support the Membership programme at the Tigers as it will form the backbone of the Club in years to come. Club revenue streams are changing, and it is imperative that supporters get behind their team and purchase Memberships. You must recognise that Membership is relatively new to the NRL and that there will be teething problems along the way, this is not the time to be deserting your Club when they need you the most. With such a large supporter base the Wests Tigers should be pushing for some of the highest Membership numbers in the NRL and you should be helping them get there.