WSYD The reality of the Western Sydney challenge

[Smokin]

Outside of probably the Islander and Lebanese communities, these people will never have any role models in Rugby League as they're just not suited to playing it at the top level.

This is an area where I agree with Kennett - in that the AFL should look a lot more seriously at the NZ market.

A massive proportion of their population is not suited to the rugby's, Ive actually been over there a stack of times for various reasons and often talk to people about sport. I think it really could work, not saying to throw a team over there, but a few games every season could.

 

[MaddAdam]

And the best thing is that they're not stuck with the anti-Victorian prejudice which is, when it's all said and done, what holds most of your typical anglo sports-loving Sydneysiders back from taking an interest in Australian Football.

The GayFL dilemma?

 

[desie]

That's really interesting, especially re: the big recruiting stuff.

I have wondered why they seem to be going for more blue collar type onfield recruits (Ward and Scully are hardly flashy even if they are very effective).

Maybe the thinking is that Izzy alone will provide the pizzaz.

It's interesting.

The three peak eras for the Swans in terms of interest have been mid 80's, mid 90's and the mid 2000's, and whilst of course these eras corresponded to a winning team, they also corresponded with Capper, Lockett and Hall.

If I think back to the period wedged between Edelsten and Barassi, which was probably the lowest ebb in the game's history in Sydney, there's only one story that sticks out.

The possibility of Jacko pulling on the boots.

Another charismatic full-forward.

It's why I think Fev is not completely out of the realms either, along with the fact that the coach is rather strange when it comes to these things.

Israel Folau is a perfect example of the thinking, he wears number 4 partly because of Tony Lockett, and the player he most admires (or more accurately, the only one he knows) is Buddy Franklin.

Full-forwards.

I guess they're putting their eggs in the Taylor Walker basket as a NSW lad, and hoping they can somehow get Dale Thomas across the line for the pizzaz.

 

[desie]

The GayFL dilemma?

Yep.

The AFL really don't care about infiltrating mainstream RL support, something that the Sydney media miss completely in their paranoia.

 

[bdiddy10304]

Just go out and recruit the next Nic Naitanui from Penrith or one of the other local suburbs. Once the kids have a local hero everything should be just fine I'd reckon.

 

[desie]

Just go out and recruit the next Nic Naitanui from Penrith or one of the other local suburbs. Once the kids have a local hero everything should be just fine I'd reckon.

Funny thing is, that's exactly where he was born.

 

[Bomber Bears]

Nailed it.

It's why they're making such a big effort to engage the migrant community, many of whom have no allegiance to any of our mainstream sports. Outside of probably the Islander and Lebanese communities, these people will never have any role models in Rugby League as they're just not suited to playing it at the top level.

And the best thing is that they're not stuck with the anti-Victorian prejudice which is, when it's all said and done, what holds most of your typical anglo sports-loving Sydneysiders back from taking an interest in Australian Football.

There is a reasonable amount of 'Anglo' people also in top level rugby league (although, with the propensity for everyone to get shit tattoos, you'd hardly know!) but dont you also think that these people who are not suited to rugby league (and, despite playing a few years in juniors, I definately fit in that catagory) are amongst the many people who are already playing soccer (again, myself being one of these people).

edit - didnt see the migrant community in there. Although I guess by and large the migrant community of sydney is from south east asia (Melbourne also having large numbers in this group) which has never really hit top level sport in Australia (although that may change as we have more second-third generations come through) and then those from european and middle eastern areas, largely playing soccer with rugby league also being represented.

The other large groups are from the sub continental region who, surprise, tend to be cricketers.

It's a sensible area to attempt to corner IMO, but I dont know how many of these groups are actually interested in sport or, at least, persuing the two larger codes in Australia.

 

[.Shotties.]

There is a reasonable amount of 'Anglo' people also in top level rugby league (although, with the propensity for everyone to get shit tattoos, you'd hardly know!) but dont you also think that these people who are not suited to rugby league (and, despite playing a few years in juniors, I definately fit in that catagory) are amongst the many people who are already playing soccer (again, myself being one of these people).

Erm... bit of an all or nothing isn't it? Regardless, what if they were?

 

[Bomber Bears]

edited my post due to not seeing the migrant part written. So the anglo talk is fairly irrelevant.

I just thought that, in targetting those who are ot suited to rugby league, probably forgetting the amount of people playing soccer, of which some portion already is those not suited to league.

 

[cos789]

It is reasonable to expect that some of the GWS support will come from cannibalising Swans members.

No more than a new AFL team at Frankstown would cannibalise NM .

As Melbourne and Dogs fans are finding out, the AFL is going to do anything and everything to support the venture.

Both Melbourne and WB have strategies in place .
I think the only team that doesn't have a stategy locked in is NM .

My question is this: how long do people think it will take before GWS - or the Swans that matter - are stand alone sustainable?

Long before NM .

Sydney and GWS have very nice stadium deals, unlike the Melbourne clubs who receive assistance.

Simply untrue .How about saying something truthful for once .

 

[cos789]

Western Sydney is rugby territory.

If anything it's soccer territory .RU has little support and rl has some NRL teams but basically it has been ignored .

 

[MaddAdam]

No more than a new AFL team at Frankstown would cannibalise NM .



Both Melbourne and WB have strategies in place .
I think the only team that doesn't have a stategy locked in is NM .



Long before NM .



Simply untrue .How about saying something truthful for once .

Not sure why you have to turn what has been a good discussion into a Bay13 troll.

Don't ruin the thread.

 

[cos789]

I'd be interested as to why that is? Obviously footy is the best game on Earth, but surely they must have had some exposure to it?

You're talking about an area that predominately knows soccer as their football .The only hope is that their sport is pushed to the same back page as AFL in the press .Thankfully AR is getting more and more exposure in the local papers .

 

[Bobby P]

They will have over 5,000 Canberra members next year so I am guessing they will have more members then the GC in their first year.

 

[vonn]

What about the 1million+ people in GWS that don't currently follow any football code? They are the key. The Giants realise this. The NRL does not.

It is not as if the 1 million people have no access to football games, it is broadcast FTA. Just because you're shoving a team right in front of them, doesn't mean they'll like it because of geographic alliances. Increased exposure might prompt interest, but I highly doubt the market is that big.

You're talking about an area that predominately knows soccer as their football .The only hope is that their sport is pushed to the same back page as AFL in the press .Thankfully AR is getting more and more exposure in the local papers .

Western Sydney? Soccer? Disagree. Can't limit soccer followers to a geographic region, if you wanted to label Western Sydney as anything, label it as a NRL region.

 

[cos789]

Not sure why you have to turn what has been a good discussion into a Bay13 troll.

It has been agreed in previous discussions that Swans will gain much better attendances for having a derby rival more than the few they might lose because it is expedient to travel to Homebush .Numerous surveys have shown that the swans draw little support from an area that traffic-wise is worlds apart .

It is fact that just about all the AFL clubs have future stategies .
The Swans are about the SCG and the new AIS .
GWS have the WS migrant/overseas/islander/everthing to everone thing.
WB associate with Western Sydney .
Melbourne has the name .
Geelong has Geelong .
The others have memberships .
NM have no members and no future plan .

Already i can see the benefit of the SUNS,lions relationship .
I cannot see a Sydney without the Swans .
The Giants are a big step ,a big exciting step .
NM said it could stand alone .Let's see it .

Now one of reasons the Swans struggled/struggle is their poor stadium deal .
I don't know of the giant's deal and that some Melbourne clubs have a poor deal , but prey tell us all about the good stadium deal the Swans have ,starting with the ANZ .

 

[Tas]

What about the 1million+ people in GWS that don't currently follow any football code? They are the key. The Giants realise this. The NRL does not.

There is over a million people in Melbourne who do not follow any AFL team, I know it is unthinkable but there are people out there that just do not have any interest whatsoever to sports of any kind, these are your Iron Chef and Better Homes and Gardens watchers.

Obviously there is a chance to convert some but you have to ask and find out why they do not follow any code at all and I don't think the number one reason will be because there isn't a side from this direct area.

 

[cos789]

Western Sydney? Soccer? Disagree. Can't limit soccer followers to a geographic region, if you wanted to label Western Sydney as anything, label it as a NRL region.

People label WS as rl mainly because it has some NRL teams .The over whelmingly participant sport in the WS is soccer .

 

[Tas]

It has been agreed in previous discussions that Swans will gain much better attendances for having a derby rival more than the few they might lose because it is expedient to travel to Homebush .Numerous surveys have shown that the swans draw little support from an area that traffic-wise is worlds apart .

It is fact that just about all the AFL clubs have future stategies .
The Swans are about the SCG and the new AIS .
GWS have the WS migrant/overseas/islander/everthing to everone thing.
WB associate with Western Sydney .
Melbourne has the name .
Geelong has Geelong .
The others have memberships .
NM have no members and no future plan .

Already i can see the benefit of the SUNS,lions relationship .
I cannot see a Sydney without the Swans .
The Giants are a big step ,a big exciting step .
NM said it could stand alone .Let's see it .

Now one of reasons the Swans struggled/struggle is their poor stadium deal .
I don't know of the giant's deal and that some Melbourne clubs have a poor deal , but prey tell us all about the good stadium deal the Swans have ,starting with the ANZ .

Stop trolling, this thread has nothing to do with North, if you want to make a new thread about North specifically then go for your life, don't degenerate this thread into your stupid shitful trolling.

 

[Growling Ferret]

After filling in the GSW membership survey yesterday, they are taking their potential membership options seriously.

12 different scenarios were given, with ticket packages ranging from about $20 to $400.

I'll be a GWS member, but always a Collingwood supporter.

 

[cos789]

TherObviously there is a chance to convert some but you have to ask and find out why they do not follow any code at all and I don't think the number one reason will be because there isn't a side from this direct area.

You're correct in assuming people wont jump on the bandwaggon soley because their region is represented .Every expansion team knows this and targets a specific area .GWS's approach is much different to the SUN's etc
In GWS's case it's about getting the game itself exposed .

 

[deluge99]

I believe a lot will depend on if Folau continues to improve for their success in attracting a profile in the first year or so when wins will be at a premium, after this fans will see the young talent coming through and with the draft concessions it is hard to believe they along with the Suns will not be finalists within 3 to 4 years. GWS appear to be doing everything they can at a local level to involve the community and are smartly using the kids to attract the parents to games. I reckon they will get around 13k members next year ( including Canberra ) and build from there.

 

[tonk]

After filling in the GSW membership survey yesterday, they are taking their potential membership options seriously.

12 different scenarios were given, with ticket packages ranging from about $20 to $400.

I'll be a GWS member, but always a Collingwood supporter.

I'm a GWS member (only 50 bucks), don't think I got any kind of survey? Also it's nice to see an interesting thread about the AFL's expansion that hasn't degenerated into mindless tittle tattle. Keep it up.

 

[intentcity]

Why bother with Westurn Sydnee? It's the land of the felafel!

 

[Jstonewall]

AFL is Western Sydney faces a number of problems.
1. dilusion: AFL has convinced itself that SUDDNELY "Western Sydney" is exposed to AFL. Reality is that AFL has been here for at least 15 years (Swans really started engaging the West a few years ago). People are not going to go "AAH, WOW".
2. misconception: The name seems to have been coined in Melbourne. They think people identify with being from Western Sydney - and the reality is the extent to which they do is seriously exaggerated. I think the team really represents Penrith. And the rest of "Western Sydney" dont much like Penrith.
3. waking a sleeping giant: I admire the initiatives GWS are taking. They really are targeting the kids. I have heard so much about AusKick over the last 2 months. But League (and football) just needs to pinch ideas and respond. League will meet GWS at every battle. And with greater resources League will go from strength to strength. NRL will also then employ similar tactics to its own expansion in Perth and Melbourne.

I get the feeling the best that GWS can do is a niche market (which probably already exists for the Swans anyway). This will simply not justify the money spent. And in the meantime GWS will "win" several premierships with the players breed at all your clubs.