NRL “Right Game, Right Venue” strategy,

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Brissie Kid

Bencher
This is some of what has come out today from the Dragons with the NRL. I fear more games are going to be lost from Brookie, but unlike Dragons fans I can't see Manly fans embracing this sort of change (and nor should they).

As for the Dragons getting massive $ upgrades to Kogarah & Wollongong but now each will be used just 4 times a year while Brookie rots.

There appears to be a select group of Sydney clubs forming a "big venues" cartel to rig the draw to create blockbuster games & share the bigger gate takings, & Manly is not one of them, along with Sharks & Penrith.

http://m.dragons.com.au/news-display/87458

Dragons & NRL Announce Right Game Right Venue
Mon, Nov 18, 2013 - 1:50 PM

The St George Illawarra Dragons on Monday announced a strategic initiative with the NRL that will stamp key Dragons games as some of the biggest events of the season.

In the same way the Dragons helped transform the annual ANZAC Day match, the Club is working with the NRL to build annual events in a “Right Game, Right Venue” strategy, creating an exciting atmosphere for Red V Members and fans and strengthening the Club for the future.

The initiative will see the Dragons commit to playing four of their twelve home games (including the existing ANZAC Day game) annually at Sydney’s major stadia: Allianz Stadium, the Sydney Cricket Ground and ANZ Stadium, over the next four years.

The Dragons will retain eight home games per season at the traditional venues of WIN Jubilee Oval, Kogarah and WIN Stadium, Wollongong.

As part of the plan, the NRL and the Dragons are looking to establish an annual Heritage Round clash with the South Sydney Rabbitohs at the SCG as well as the opportunity to create marquee events around matches involving clubs such as the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, Wests Tigers, Parramatta Eels and Sydney Roosters, who are already committed to these venues.

The strategy will be underpinned by the commercial investment of the major venues and a commitment from the NRL to work closely with the Clubs and Venues to create annual marquee events.

The arrangements will deliver a multiplier effect for the Dragons and their Red V Members and Corporate Partners, with reciprocal entitlements, new market opportunities and additional capacity providing a growth platform that also enables the Club to minimise the pressures on the costs of Membership and ticketing.

The initiative recognises the need to maintain traditional venues but to also ensure that the game has the capacity to attract new Members and fans.

This initiative is a key element of the Dragons strategic plan and provides a platform for future growth within the Club’s business model, ensuring this iconic Rugby League Brand can remain at the forefront of the game.

The new venue model is about ensuring long-term sustainability whilst maintaining a balance with the Club's traditions.

“We are looking to be the major player in what will be a game-wide strategy going forward,” said Dragons CEO Peter Doust.

“If we are going to grow Membership and attendances we are going to require additional capacity, and the NSW State Government has made it clear that it will only invest in major venues, moving forward.

“We will always be committed to our region and our traditions, however we also want all our Members and fans to be able to see the biggest games of the year, and to receive increased benefits.

“This decision has been based on a platform for economic enhancement and growth capability, leading to long term financial sustainability."

National Rugby League Chief Executive Dave Smith said the Dragons were taking the opportunity to grow and to ensure the Club remained strong in the future:

“They have really thought this through and it is a smart move," said Smith.

“Any change will take some adjustment but they have a clear aim to build a big match atmosphere around the key matches and that is what we all need to work towards.

“At the same time there remains a strong commitment to their traditional venues.”

The “Right Game, Right Venue” approach is in line with both the long term NRL strategy and the NSW Government’s planned future investment in major Sydney venues.

The NRL and the Dragons are working with the NSW State Government seeking to provide integrated transport with ticketing for all attendees of games under the "Right Game, Right Venue" strategy.

When the 2014 Telstra Premiership Draw is finalised in coming weeks, the Dragons will launch a revised Red V Memberships program providing access to ticketing across all five home venues and additional reciprocal ticketing opportunities to attend away games against selected Sydney teams who share those venues.

Click to read Quotes Concerning Dragons & NRL Right Game Right Venue Announcement http://www.dragons.com.au/news-display/87461

Quotes from Dave Smith - NRL CEO

“We all want to see games played in the venues that they are most suited to. If we are going to grow members and grow crowds we need to have our big games played at the venues where they can accommodate those fans. We are working in partnership with those clubs that can see the opportunity ahead. It is becoming increasingly clear to clubs that if you want to be strong and to grow then you need to do everything to attract more fans to the biggest games. That doesn’t mean turning away from traditional home venues - there is enormous respect for the traditions of those grounds - but it means having the right mix."

***

“They have made a really important call in building a stronger future for the club and given their fans the chance to be part of something really special. The Dragons have already helped make ANZAC Day one biggest events of the year. Going forward we will work with them to make the annual Heritage Round Clash against South Sydney another permanent fixture that makes everyone want to be there. I know the Dragons have done the work to look at all aspects of this decision and they are looking to make the club even stronger. They are committed to supporting both WIN Jubilee Oval, Kogarah and WIN Stadium, Wollongong while still ensuring the big games can accommodate as many members and fans as possible."

***

“It’s really important to see clubs being proactive about their futures and I think the Dragons are setting an important example here in their strategic approach. We can’t sit back and hope the game will grow. Rugby League has the chance to take membership and crowds to a new level and the clubs that get in and make decisions on the basis of that will only grow stronger in the years ahead."

***

“The Dragons are in a position to really demonstrate the benefits of this approach. St George Illawarra represent one of the most powerful brands in the game, they have a massive and diverse fan base and the opportunity for more and more of those fans and members to be a part of the big games speaks for itself."

***

“Be a part of this, it is going to be a chance to create some great game day events and a chance to make your club stronger. There will always be a place for traditional grounds but there also needs to be room to grow. The Dragons will be offering a range of membership packages for all fans to be a part of the club and I really encourage people to be a part of the journey."

***

“We are very focused on working with the clubs that play a role in this strategy. We think there are some real options to create more annual fixtures that deliver that big game atmosphere."

***

“We’ve worked closely with the club and they are a great bunch of people. I have a lot of respect for them and you can see that they are taking strategic decisions that are necessary to grow the club."

***

“We have to widen our fan base and the starting point is to grow members and fans. To do that we need to have the facilities that can accommodate those fans, that will encourage them to come along to the big games. For those big matches we need to be able to welcome people in by having the facilities that can accommodate them."

***

“I think it is a really important decision in the financial future of the club and I support the board and the executive for making it."

***

“We are hoping to have the draw finalised in a few weeks. It is an incredibly complex process, particularly with the full season schedule that was introduced to benefit fans. I can only assure you that Todd Greenberg and the team are working closely with the broadcasters to be settled as soon as possible."
 
I'm sure watching the dragons play in a massive stadium with a crowd of 5,000 will be totally awesome to view on tv and will totally get overseas broadcasters queuing at dave smith's door to throw cash and jumping castles at him.
 
Will be interesting to see if Manly abandons playing games at Bluetongue stadium next season after 2 ordinary crowds this year.
 
Apart from one town Teams, and the Scum don't even measure up there (getting only 14k per home game in a State of Art Stadium:huh:), Fans are only swayed by their Teams being competitive.

The Rorters and the Dogs completely demonstrated this to the NRL last Season - SBW increased their measly attendances, whilst Barba's meltdown plummeted that Club's attendance.
But as the above article suggests, they did not understand the bleeding obvious :sleepy:

Tigers and the Eels will hardly fill Stadiums next year. Along with a potentially decimated ASADA Sharks, they need to convince their existing, long suffering Fans that they are worth their discretionary income.

One of the reason's that the Dragon's get large crowds at the ANZAC and the SCG is because they are afternoon games :exclamation:

I believe that the crowds will continue to tumble for the NRL as a whole, as Fans choose the comfort of a warm home or Pub/Club and hold onto their monies to spend on other vices :cool:

But I like the idea of being able to buy good viewing seats and have transport included in the ticket price - like they do at Suncorp :)
 
Quite presumptuous of St George to assume that they will have home games against all of these teams.
 
This is why we need a ground that fits around 25,000 (preferrably all seater), is easily accessible for all game times, has sufficient parking and good transport facilities and services, and can also attract all types of footy fans.
 
Not for Illawarra based fans or the NSW government who spent millions of $ on a Wollongong ground that will now have just four games a year. Same with Kogarah getting just 4 games after it was redeveloped. That money could have gone to Brookvale. The NRL is endorsing the Dragons being more Sydney St George and very little St George Illawarra.

St George Illawarra Dragons move away from Wollongong home games

Date
November 18, 2013 - 11:23PM

Adam Pengilly
Illawarra Mercury


ST GEORGE Illawarra have slashed their number of home games in Wollongong, but chief executive Peter Doust bluntly denied it's part of a Dragons exit strategy from the region.

While refusing to elaborate on how much the Dragons will bank in a shift to play more home games at major Sydney stadiums, Doust declared the Red V won't turn their back on the Illawarra.

Their spiritual homes of Kogarah's WIN Jubilee Oval and Wollongong's WIN Stadium will only enjoy four home games each season for the next four years - down from the traditional six.

The Dragons have committed to playing their other four remaining home games at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Allianz Stadium or ANZ Stadium.
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Angry St George Illawarra members and supporters flooded the Mercury's website and switchboard in the aftermath of yesterday's announcement, questioning the Dragons' commitment to the Illawarra.

But Doust, a little more than 12 months since penning a five-year agreement for Dragons fixtures to be played at WIN Stadium, with the option for another five years, re-affirmed the club's commitment to the region.

"I can't see in the context of today why we'll never not be playing games at those [spiritual] venues," he told the Mercury.

"In saying that, who knows what the future holds? This is not the beginning of a longer-term strategy to withdraw [from the Illawarra]. It's quite the reverse.

"We'd ask people to understand this is a decision for the long-term viability of the Dragons and it's for the long-term continued investment in our communities across our region.

"Give us the opportunity to prove that and not look at it superficially being a couple of games from our traditional venues."

Under the terms of the new agreement, the Dragons are expected to host traditional foes South Sydney in a Heritage Round match each year at the SCG.

They will continue to alternate hosting rights for the Anzac Day clash with the Roosters at Allianz Stadium.

When the Dragons are the visitors for the April 25 blockbuster, their home clash against the reigning premiers will be played on an alternate date at the Moore Park precinct.

St George Illawarra will also play the Bulldogs home-and-away at ANZ Stadium each year, while welcoming either the Tigers or Eels to Homebush for their final of their four major stadium home games.

While refusing to be drawn on the bottom line savings for the club, Doust said the shift will provide significant financial benefits for the club reeling on the back of slashed leagues club grants.

"Let's just say it's commercially advantageous to the Dragons," he said. "I don't want to share commercial in confidence information, but it's in our financial interests and our growth interests and therefore our capacity to invest back into the communities.

"With growth [in membership], which is the thing that underpins this, that we get to spread those costs across a greater volume of revenue and we will be much more substantial in terms of that revenue stream.

"We just believe this is in the best interests of the Dragons long term."

NRL boss Dave Smith backed the Dragons' stance, which is another shift in the move to clubs whisking away from their suburban home grounds.

"They have really thought this through and it is a smart move," Smith said.

"Any change will take some adjustment but they have a clear aim to build a big match atmosphere around the key matches and that is what we all need to work towards."

The Dragons are expected to tailor four-game membership for Wollongong members this season when their packages go on sale in the next fortnight.

HOME AWAY FROM HOME

How St George Illawarra will split their 12 home games for the next four years:

* 4 games at WIN Stadium

* 4 games at WIN Jubilee Oval

* 2 games at ANZ Stadium v Bulldogs and Tigers/Eels

* 1 Heritage Round game at Sydney Cricket Ground v South Sydney

* 1 game at Allianz Stadium v Roosters (either Anzac Day or another round)

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/st-george-illawarra-dragons-move-away-from-wollongong-home-games-20131118-2xrmt.html
 
So tens of millions spent on Campbelltown, Wollongong, Kogarah, Belmore and Redfern training paddocks......

Show us the money Tony, lets get a few more seats at Brookie befor it is too late
 
The Wheel said:
So tens of millions spent on Campbelltown, Wollongong, Kogarah, Belmore and Redfern training paddocks......

Show us the money Tony, lets get a few more seats at Brookie befor it is too late

You can ask Tony where his money is when you have breakfast with him on the weekend.
 
They have devised their own plan based on what they think is best for their business. Good luck to them
 
tookey said:
The Wheel said:
So tens of millions spent on Campbelltown, Wollongong, Kogarah, Belmore and Redfern training paddocks......

Show us the money Tony, lets get a few more seats at Brookie befor it is too late

You can ask Tony where his money is when you have breakfast with him on the weekend.

Already has, he just said ask Albo :p
 
The Wheel said:
tookey said:
The Wheel said:
So tens of millions spent on Campbelltown, Wollongong, Kogarah, Belmore and Redfern training paddocks......

Show us the money Tony, lets get a few more seats at Brookie befor it is too late

You can ask Tony where his money is when you have breakfast with him on the weekend.

Already has, he just said ask Albo :p

And Albo told you to ask Eddie who said that the money went into his family trust.
 
And here some of that same group of clubs again joining together.

http://www.afr.com/p/lifestyle/sport/digital_focused_nrl_doubles_website_i9HqhPprMuFxIcvLz8MFEP

He also says many of the 16 NRL clubs have taken more control over ­selling digital advertising through their official websites.

Ten of the clubs have enacted a ­“buyback” clause whereby they gain control of their website in return for paying an annual fee to the NRL and Telstra joint venture.

Kind says the four Sydney clubs, South Sydney, St George, ­Canterbury and premiers the Sydney Roosters, have banded together to aggregate some ­digital sales across their respective websites.
 
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.”
― Confucius coined after the 2013 NRL GF :cool:

“To be wronged is nothing, unless you continue to remember it.”
― Confucius to the Manly Fans still upset at Hayne :sleepy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j-ty0CqmjdA
“The gem cannot be polished without friction, nor man perfected without trials.”
― Confucius to Wolfie :angel:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReYxZrVxpKM
“Better a diamond with a flaw than a pebble without.”
― Confucius to Wolfie :heart:
 
Let's face it no one cares about playing the dragons. They have little crowd drawing power and play boring football. They can dress up this so called new strategy any way they want, but it is clearly a misguided and desperate grab at relevance, which will only further alienate the handful of remaining kogarah and Wollongong supporters. And people say we have management problems, pfffft.
 
So the Sydney clubs cartel continues to build its empire while Manly and Brookie will be left to die in the cold.

http://leagueunlimited.com/news/nrl-announces-anz-stadium-transport-initiative

NRL announces ANZ Stadium transport initiative

by National Rugby League
February 26 2014 8:25PM

NRL members and fans will enjoy train travel as part of their tickets to all Telstra Premiership games at ANZ Stadium in 2014.

The deal, announced by NRL Chief Executive, Mr Dave Smith, at tonight’s NRL Season Launch, is part of a $2 million drive to improve fan experience in 2014.

Mr Smith said the NRL wanted to provide the best possible experience for members and fans – and that started from the moment they got on a train to go to a game.

He said the NRL had teamed with the NSW Government and ANZ Stadium to include return rail transport to the stadium for anyone with an NRL ticket.

South Sydney Rabbitohs and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs, the major tenants at ANZ Stadium, have also played an integral role in achieving this deal for members and fans.

“It will apply to all 27 club games being played at ANZ Stadium this season. In other words, when you buy a ticket in advance for any game at ANZ you get the transport thrown in,” Mr Smith said.

“Not only is it going to save fans money but it is going to reduce traffic congestion around the ground and give fans a much more enjoyable game-day experience.”

The train travel will apply to the entire Sydney Trains network and the NSW TrainLink intercity network.

That includes fans travelling from as far away as Bomaderry, Bathurst, the Blue Mountains and the Hunter region.

Sydney Trains has also agreed to provide at least two direct rail services between Central Station and Sydney Olympic Park before and after each match at ANZ Stadium.

NSW Premier, Mr Barry O’Farrell, said the agreement was great news for all Rugby League fans.

“There’s nothing like supporting your team at the game and I’m delighted the NSW Government is able to do its bit by providing integrated ticketing deal for all club match games at ANZ Stadium for the first time.

“Our deal with the NRL means supporting your team at ANZ Stadium has never been easier, whether you’re traveling from Redfern or Campbelltown, Cronulla or Penrith, or from Newcastle, the Central Coast and Wollongong.

“We always want to encourage people to use public transport to travel to major sporting events.

“This move will undoubtedly increase the number of customers using the train to get to ANZ Stadium.”

Lol! Manly away games at ANZ include train tickets!!!!!!!!!!!! Fat lot of good that will be to most Manly fans. A Manly fan in Bathurst gets a free train while one at Curl Curl will get there how and pay how much????
 

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