It's funny how one of the excuses that NRL supporters give for keeping us in the comp is because they need a team to hate. Now whilst that's sweet in a sentimental kind of way, the two biggest indicators the (real) enemy might use if they want to close us or move us out is club management/profitability and membership numbers.
My opinion is I think we are fortunate to have the Penns and those that have come before them, so I'll leave the management side alone.
Membership: As of this moment in time we are third last with 10,526. We are ahead of the Warriors and Titans and over 1,000 behind the Tigers. Sure we have had bad publicity and I have had Manly supporters raise that issue but I'm not sure that is their reason for not joining up.
Here is a link to membership numbers: http://leagueunlimited.com/news/31031-2018-nrl-club-membership-tracker/
I did my own little survey of those I knew living across NSW country that were Manly supporters. I could count 18 supporters with only one being a member.
Most are proud to talk about our club and it's previous and current players and success. But it is hard to encourage any of these to join up because they probably won't be going to a game this year, and the lowest membership price is what you can get the current polo for on eBay - $82.00.
I initially pondered suggesting in this post a lower entry point price for members depending on postcode (i.e. distance from Brookvale). Maybe just give them a car sticker, membership keyring, lanyard and card, emails etc, and discounted gear and tickets (because we do want to at least encourage more people through the gates as well) for say $39.95.
But then I noticed that some other clubs have general $40, $50 memberships.
Here is a $30 "Shark Starter" new members package (don't forget to also click on the Additional Member benefits). Link:
http://membership.sharks.com.au/package/supporterpackages/#sharksstarter
They have a $50 package for pre-existing members.
I don't want to do the club out of money and I am happy to continue on my current package, but if these packages were available I'm sure I could get at least a couple signed up and they can be upgraded later should their interest grow. And many have kids.
When the dust settles on the salary cap rubbish, we will have a young and, if all goes well with our 5 year plan (refer @Mark from Brisbane), a highly successful team with popular players. I think we need to have membership bubbling along on the ride up, not wait until after the next winning GF.
Thoughts?
My opinion is I think we are fortunate to have the Penns and those that have come before them, so I'll leave the management side alone.
Membership: As of this moment in time we are third last with 10,526. We are ahead of the Warriors and Titans and over 1,000 behind the Tigers. Sure we have had bad publicity and I have had Manly supporters raise that issue but I'm not sure that is their reason for not joining up.
Here is a link to membership numbers: http://leagueunlimited.com/news/31031-2018-nrl-club-membership-tracker/
I did my own little survey of those I knew living across NSW country that were Manly supporters. I could count 18 supporters with only one being a member.
Most are proud to talk about our club and it's previous and current players and success. But it is hard to encourage any of these to join up because they probably won't be going to a game this year, and the lowest membership price is what you can get the current polo for on eBay - $82.00.
I initially pondered suggesting in this post a lower entry point price for members depending on postcode (i.e. distance from Brookvale). Maybe just give them a car sticker, membership keyring, lanyard and card, emails etc, and discounted gear and tickets (because we do want to at least encourage more people through the gates as well) for say $39.95.
But then I noticed that some other clubs have general $40, $50 memberships.
Here is a $30 "Shark Starter" new members package (don't forget to also click on the Additional Member benefits). Link:
http://membership.sharks.com.au/package/supporterpackages/#sharksstarter
They have a $50 package for pre-existing members.
I don't want to do the club out of money and I am happy to continue on my current package, but if these packages were available I'm sure I could get at least a couple signed up and they can be upgraded later should their interest grow. And many have kids.
When the dust settles on the salary cap rubbish, we will have a young and, if all goes well with our 5 year plan (refer @Mark from Brisbane), a highly successful team with popular players. I think we need to have membership bubbling along on the ride up, not wait until after the next winning GF.
Thoughts?
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