Hell Freezes Over - WAFL crowds beat SANFL
Posted: Thu May 01, 2008 9:34 pmOh the shame of it ......................... 
WAFL crowds up for ANZAC weekend
Almost 12,000 people physically showed their WAFL colours over the ANZAC Day long weekend.
Not since last year’s Foundation Day long weekend have so many people attended a round of WAFL fixtures.
Over four games last weekend, 11,889 people flocked to the WAFL, led by 6177 who marched into Steel Blue Oval Bassendean on ANZAC Day to watch Swan Districts and Perth do battle.
It was also the first time in many years that WAFL crowds have exceeded those achieved by the SANFL. In last weekend’s Round 5 SANFL games 11,774 people attended.
The Swans and Demons battle was the only WAFL game played on ANZAC Day, but the resultant crowd proved that when people have time they head to the WAFL in droves.
“That kind of crowd is proof that people still have a strong relationship with the WAFL,” said West Australian Football Commission Director of Football Grant Dorrington.
“It shows that while those people may not have the time to come to WAFL games every week, they will show their colours on special days like ANZAC Day.
“It is a great tribute to the work Swan Districts and Perth put into the celebration that surrounds the ANZAC Day public holiday.”
Over the Foundation Day long weekend in June last year, 19,116 people went to a WAFL game, including 9737 who flooded into East Fremantle Oval to watch the Sharks do battle with arch-enemy South Fremantle.
This year the WAFL has undertaken a new marketing campaign based on extensive research that was conducted late last year.
That research uncovered that people thought the WAFL was a quality product and that they would support it when they had the time.
“The community still has a passion for WAFL football and it was great to see that displayed on a weekend when we were paying tribute to the ANZAC spirit,” said WAFL Operations Manager Clint Roberts.
“Having a game on a public holiday gave people a chance to come and watch a game and they took the opportunity with both hands.
“These days, people are time poor but when given a chance have shown they are willing to support grass roots football.”
WAFL crowds up for ANZAC weekend
Almost 12,000 people physically showed their WAFL colours over the ANZAC Day long weekend.
Not since last year’s Foundation Day long weekend have so many people attended a round of WAFL fixtures.
Over four games last weekend, 11,889 people flocked to the WAFL, led by 6177 who marched into Steel Blue Oval Bassendean on ANZAC Day to watch Swan Districts and Perth do battle.
It was also the first time in many years that WAFL crowds have exceeded those achieved by the SANFL. In last weekend’s Round 5 SANFL games 11,774 people attended.
The Swans and Demons battle was the only WAFL game played on ANZAC Day, but the resultant crowd proved that when people have time they head to the WAFL in droves.
“That kind of crowd is proof that people still have a strong relationship with the WAFL,” said West Australian Football Commission Director of Football Grant Dorrington.
“It shows that while those people may not have the time to come to WAFL games every week, they will show their colours on special days like ANZAC Day.
“It is a great tribute to the work Swan Districts and Perth put into the celebration that surrounds the ANZAC Day public holiday.”
Over the Foundation Day long weekend in June last year, 19,116 people went to a WAFL game, including 9737 who flooded into East Fremantle Oval to watch the Sharks do battle with arch-enemy South Fremantle.
This year the WAFL has undertaken a new marketing campaign based on extensive research that was conducted late last year.
That research uncovered that people thought the WAFL was a quality product and that they would support it when they had the time.
“The community still has a passion for WAFL football and it was great to see that displayed on a weekend when we were paying tribute to the ANZAC spirit,” said WAFL Operations Manager Clint Roberts.
“Having a game on a public holiday gave people a chance to come and watch a game and they took the opportunity with both hands.
“These days, people are time poor but when given a chance have shown they are willing to support grass roots football.”
