AFL Reserves Discussion...

[areaman]

Hang on Phil, with respect...

Your own position is somewhat jaded by your role with WWTFC, is it not?
You were referred to more than once by Slavin on Thursday Night - so I think it is in your own interests to support the move.

Personally, I am surprised by the claims that this won't affect younger supporter numbers - the kids I deal with only know AFL & very little else.
So the claims that Junior Supporter numbers will be minimally affected by Port & The Crows entering the competition is questionable to say the least.

Can't see how Phil's comments are affected by the club's stance.

Phil is a great ambassador for the club but (to the best of my knowledge) is not responsible for the club's view.

If anything I think the club's stance is going to make Phil's role 100 times harder.

This issue of how we attract the kids to support an SANFL club when they may already support Crows or Power is a big sticking point with me. Hence the reason I raised it last Thursday night.

[Ecky]

This issue of how we attract the kids to support an SANFL club when they may already support Crows or Power is a big sticking point with me. Hence the reason I raised it last Thursday night.

Here's an idea...since the Crows want to play hardball and aren't ashamed to take our kids away from our SANFL clubs...

Maybe there is an opportunity for SANFL clubs to link with interstate AFL clubs and run some coaching clinics and other promotional activities. This would be a win-win for both - the AFL club gets to grow its market, and the SANFL club gets to keep the junior member since they won't run off to the Crows. Glenelg have an obvious natural link to Richmond (quite a cheer went up at Glenelg when it was announced that Richmond had won the other week), and similarly Sturt could link with Carlton, Eagles with WCE etc...

Wouldn't that be funny if the Crows actually lost support through it all...

[FOURTH ESTATE]

Maybe there is an opportunity for SANFL clubs to link with interstate AFL clubs and run some coaching clinics and other promotional activities. This would be a win-win for both - the AFL club gets to grow its market, and the SANFL club gets to keep the junior member since they won't run off to the Crows. Glenelg have an obvious natural link to Richmond (quite a cheer went up at Glenelg when it was announced that Richmond had won the other week), and similarly Sturt could link with Carlton, Eagles with WCE etc...

Wouldn't that be funny if the Crows actually lost support through it all...

Love the idea Glenelg/Richmond

Shove it up the COWS & PAPS CANDY A$$ES!!!!

[Magpiespower]

Love the idea Glenelg/Richmond

Port Magpies & Collingwood!

[whufc]

Centrals/footscray

[Tassie Blues]

This issue of how we attract the kids to support an SANFL club when they may already support Crows or Power is a big sticking point with me. Hence the reason I raised it last Thursday night.

Here's an idea...since the Crows want to play hardball and aren't ashamed to take our kids away from our SANFL clubs...

Maybe there is an opportunity for SANFL clubs to link with interstate AFL clubs and run some coaching clinics and other promotional activities. This would be a win-win for both - the AFL club gets to grow its market, and the SANFL club gets to keep the junior member since they won't run off to the Crows. Glenelg have an obvious natural link to Richmond (quite a cheer went up at Glenelg when it was announced that Richmond had won the other week), and similarly Sturt could link with Carlton, Eagles with WCE etc...

Wouldn't that be funny if the Crows actually lost support through it all...

This is a great Monday Funny. Do you really think any interstate club has any interest at all in SA footy apart from the under 16/18 championships and what they can draft from the SANFL. If a club had any $$ to spend on juniors SA would be the last place they would spend it.

[areaman]

This is a great Monday Funny. Do you really think any interstate club has any interest at all in SA footy apart from the under 16/18 championships and what they can draft from the SANFL. If a club had any $$ to spend on juniors SA would be the last place they would spend it.

Of course it won't work.

It's about as realistic as thinking 6,000 are going to flock to watch the reserves however.

If we adopt the line of thinking at West Lakes then BELIEVING something will happen is as good as it actually happening.

So, I believe this will work.

[PhilH]

LEH

My earlier comments re SANFL crowds merely point out facts and concerning facts at that.

They do not provide an opinion, just a reality check, so you should not take those figures as either support or opposition to what is proposed or lies ahead.


Since finishing at Noarlunga in late 2007 I have spent over five years working on building the Eagles supporter base.

Firstly researching the Eagles Project 3000 paper in 2008, then a voluntary Eagles Project 3000 committee chairman in 2009 before the part time Community Relations role from 2010 today.

What worries me most is that the upcoming changes may, if not handled correctly, make a lot of that work worthless.

[passionatelegsfan]

Yep my interest levels have dropped until this shit is sorted out which has meant I have missed more games than ever before

Also Centrals copped home game which clashed with the magpies/power and multiple games in massive downpour

I feel the same way. Norwood are run away favourites to win another flag and i cant even get excited. This time last year i was full of beans. But the end imminent of the sanfl is taking its toll. Its hard to be excited about something when there is no future. The last time norwood played centrals this year they had approximately 2000 crowd. Correct me if im wrong but norwood and centrals have been drawing nearly 4000 in recent times. I said to the old man on that day that something was not right as this was not a normal crowd for these two teams. This was about the time things were heating up re the reserves debate.

[LPH]

LEH

My earlier comments re SANFL crowds merely point out facts and concerning facts at that.

They do not provide an opinion, just a reality check, so you should not take those figures as either support or opposition to what is proposed or lies ahead.


Since finishing at Noarlunga in late 2007 I have spent over five years working on building the Eagles supporter base.

Firstly researching the Eagles Project 3000 paper in 2008, then a voluntary Eagles Project 3000 committee chairman in 2009 before the part time Community Relations role from 2010 today.

What worries me most is that the upcoming changes may, if not handled correctly, make a lot of that work worthless.

I would agree with that.
Kids will more likely follow the Crows or Power only.
At present, they get the luxury of having both an AFL & SANFL team to follow - when the AFL Reserves arrive, they won't.

[Aerie]

LEH

My earlier comments re SANFL crowds merely point out facts and concerning facts at that.

They do not provide an opinion, just a reality check, so you should not take those figures as either support or opposition to what is proposed or lies ahead.


Since finishing at Noarlunga in late 2007 I have spent over five years working on building the Eagles supporter base.

Firstly researching the Eagles Project 3000 paper in 2008, then a voluntary Eagles Project 3000 committee chairman in 2009 before the part time Community Relations role from 2010 today.

What worries me most is that the upcoming changes may, if not handled correctly, make a lot of that work worthless.

It won't be worthless Phil. It was sensational seeing that many kids in the family area on Saturday.

Some questions to you:

1) With regards to the proposal, what changes would you make to ensure if it is done, it is done the right way?

2) Are you worried promises won't be kept in the short or long term with regards to the Crows marketing the SANFL? I imagine this is a major selling point to the SANFL clubs. What should they be doing to make sure this side of things is handled correctly?

[whufc]

LEH

My earlier comments re SANFL crowds merely point out facts and concerning facts at that.

They do not provide an opinion, just a reality check, so you should not take those figures as either support or opposition to what is proposed or lies ahead.


Since finishing at Noarlunga in late 2007 I have spent over five years working on building the Eagles supporter base.

Firstly researching the Eagles Project 3000 paper in 2008, then a voluntary Eagles Project 3000 committee chairman in 2009 before the part time Community Relations role from 2010 today.

What worries me most is that the upcoming changes may, if not handled correctly, make a lot of that work worthless.

I would agree with that.
Kids will more likely follow the Crows or Power only.
At present, they get the luxury of having both an AFL & SANFL team to follow - when the AFL Reserves arrive, they won't.

Exactly such a simple point which is lost on alot of these SANFL directors

I would love to hear how they think they will win the support of the kids up against the Crows and Power.

[PhilH]

I disagree your assertion the proposed changes are in my best interest. Like I can't wait to lose our supporter nursery around Henley and try to recruit new fans around Alberton and the Port if the boundary commission realign the zones.

However it is in my best interested to conduct myself in a manner that does not see me lose my job.

Now the Eagles have made their position public, as a staff member I will not be publically opposing it.

If some see that is soft so be it, let's see you publically state on this site you would give up your career over this issue.

For the record I have had no involvement with Eagles so far in their deliberations, decisions and member communications.

I am sure my role will come into play when something is finalised for 2014 and the Eagles look at how best to adjust from a membership, home game and junior supporter perspective.


I've been pretty happy with the way FOOT-e TIMES SA has covered the issue.
It has
reported the issue from an SANFL perspective,
been factual where required,
allowed a diversity of opinion
and above all given SANFL fans a voice.

It will continue to do that, even if I provide the facts and others the opinions.

[whufc]

This whole debate reminds me of a saying I tell my little girl

She is 4 going on 21 who already knows everything life has to offer, she can be very bossy, obxnious, rude and selfish

When she is in one of these moods I like to giver her some advice

"You can on behaving like this and you will grow up to have lots of money...................... BUT you will be able to count all your friends on one hand"

[on the rails]

Kids will more likely follow the Crows or Power only. At present, they get the luxury of having both an AFL & SANFL team to follow - when the AFL Reserves arrive, they won't.

I agree - the only growth with the proposed model will be for the AFL Clubs who may bring the odd few new fans to the SANFL but also could turn exisiting fans of the Crows and a SANFL Club into exclusively AFC members / fans only - certainly the kids of those present dual supporters will drop off the SANFL Clubs IMO.

The drop of in supporter attendance and memberships at the current SANFL Clubs may not be as great as 50% as many think in the first year but over a few years I can see the SANFL Clubs declining significantly until they are left with no choice but to turn into AFL controlled development / feeder clubs IMHO.

[whufc]

I disagree your assertion the proposed changes are in my best interest. Like I can't wait to lose our supporter nursery around Henley and try to recruit new fans around Alberton and the Port if the boundary commission realign the zones.

However it is in my best interested to conduct myself in a manner that does not see me lose my job.

Now the Eagles have made their position public, as a staff member I will not be publically opposing it.

If some see that is soft so be it, let's see you publically state on this site you would give up your career over this issue.

For the record I have had no involvement with Eagles so far in their deliberations, decisions and member communications.

I am sure my role will come into play when something is finalised for 2014 and the Eagles look at how best to adjust from a membership, home game and junior supporter perspective.


I've been pretty happy with the way FOOT-e TIMES SA has covered the issue.
It has
reported the issue from an SANFL perspective,
been factual where required,
allowed a diversity of opinion
and above all given SANFL fans a voice.

It will continue to do that, even if I provide the facts and others the opinions.

No one would expect you to walk away from your career, but it does show how (I'm not saying you are doing this) sometimes people will look out for their careers and future prospects rather than make decisions based on what they truly believe in.

The days of people standing up for what they believe in are long gone due to the financial tough times we live in

[whufc]

Kids will more likely follow the Crows or Power only. At present, they get the luxury of having both an AFL & SANFL team to follow - when the AFL Reserves arrive, they won't.

I agree - the only growth with the proposed model will be for the AFL Clubs who may bring the odd few new fans to the SANFL but also could turn exisiting fans of the Crows and a SANFL Club into exclusively AFC members / fans only - certainly the kids of those present dual supporters will drop off the SANFL Clubs IMO.

The drop of in supporter attendance and memberships at the current SANFL Clubs may not be as great as 50% as many think in the first year but over a few years I can see the SANFL Clubs declining significantly until they are left with no choice but to turn into AFL controlled development / feeder clubs IMHO.

Yep we currently have enough trouble getting kids to the SANFL and now not only will still be a problem they will have to fight the natural progression of a Crows supporting kids will be to follow the ravens

[PhilH]

ALL THIS BELOW ASSUMES THE CROWS RESERVES BECOMES A REALITY

About having Crows and SANFL club in same competition and affect on kids.

To be honest this doesn't worry me too much.


Short term it is the adults walking away that worries me most.

Having a massive change in the Eagles zone in 2nd on my list

This kids is more a long term issue.


About the kids.

Yes it is an issue but consider the following.

- We are already battling against the AFL sides for "hearts and souls". Having the "One Club" Port Adelaide running clinics on our country zones in recent years is a favourite of mine.

- Crows or Power don't get a zone from this, each SANFL club still keeps one (possibly a little larger)

- As long as
- clubs retain a good zone to work in
- SANFL Development Officers are still aligned to specific clubs
- clubs and DO's work hard to engage with auskickers, school footballers and club footballers in these zones
there is something to work with.

- In addition there needs to be a passing of the torch from current supporters who are parents to kids in being part of an SANFL club.

- The message we send to kids on the front of all our flyers is "YOUR local SANFL club"
having AFL seconds sides don't change that. We just have to make that still mean something.

[PhilH]

OK ... whufc .... you are in my shoes ... tell me what you would do?

[areaman]

Exactly such a simple point which is lost on alot of these SANFL directors

I would love to hear how they think they will win the support of the kids up against the Crows and Power.

At the Eagles we begin by comparing supporters to pieces of cheese.....