National Rugby League boss David Gallop hopes a positive set of figures will cause some of the code’s critics to eat their words towards the end of a tumultuous season for the sport.
Addressing the media at NRL headquarters in Sydney on Wednesday, Gallop reeled off a list of positive statistics for the code.
He outlined increased television ratings and particularly booming attendances, with the three millionth fan of the season set to attend a game this weekend.
Gallop conceded there was plenty to be done by the NRL following a spate of incidents of bad player behaviour which brought weeks of grim headlines, but he felt the bevy of positive statistics showed the game itself in ruddy health.
“I’d like to think that some of the stuff will make some our critics eat some of their words,” Gallop said.
“But the fact is we have had some issues this year that we need to get on top of as best we can.
“At the same time we’ve got a fantastic compelling sporting competition the people are getting behind and they are going to get behind over the next few weeks.”
Gallop said rugby league had defied the trend of every other Australian football code by actually increasing average crowds by 2.12 per cent so far in 2009.
“Only 88,968 fans stand between the round 25 tally of 2,935,181 and the 2007 NRL (season) record of 3,024,149.
“The only previous occasion in which the game passed three million fans in the competition rounds was in 1995 when a 20-team competition recorded 3,061,338 during the regular season.
“Even this record remains under threat in 2009.”
Gallop also reported growth in club membership, licensing, participation and on-line engagement.
He also produced statistics to show the NRL was producing closer and faster competition this season and outlined an increase in the number of hours clubs and players were devoting to community and charity activities.
GOOD NRL NEWS
– Crowds are up 2.12 per cent on 2008, “defying a downward trend in other codes”.
– Ratings for Friday-night matches on the Nine Network are up 3.6 per cent in Sydney and 16.1 per cent in Brisbane. Figures for Sunday matches are up 16.2 per cent in Sydney and 6 per cent in Brisbane.
– Rugby league can boast 60 of the top 100 programs on Australian pay-TV.
– Unique visitors on the NRL website are up 62 per cent on 2008.
– Club player registrations have risen 6.8 per cent to a new record.
– Figures show less tries are being scored through kicks in 2009 compared to the previous year, with more running of the ball and a closer competition.
– Suncorp Stadium’s first-ever double-header in round 19 attracted a sell-out crowd of 50,109.
– For only the third time in NRL history, total attendances for the premiership rounds are set to pass 3 million. The others were in 1995 (20 teams) and 2007 (16).
– The clubs with the greatest increase in home crowds are the Bulldogs (44.6 per cent), Warriors (35.7) and Penrith (25.9).
– Game one of the 2009 Origin series was the most-watched since inception, with an average of 2.322 million viewers across the five capital cities.
cuzybro
Roar Rookie
Thanks dogs of war, these guys are playing with a bit of heart and alot of enthusiasm. great to see league doing well around the world.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vTI2TxSQ_rE Found it.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
Link to the game on youtube?
Tom Alexander.
Guest
Watched the 2009 AMNRL Grand Final on youtube the other day between the Jacksonville Axemen and the New York Knights, and the standard of play was pretty impressive. If they can attract more dollars and more input from the NRL then the Americans have the capacity to lift their standards in a much shorter time frame than say other countries without the same level of access to both finances and facilities. Be interesting to see what level of impact this Pay TV deal/Exposure will have on Rugby League in the USA.
Dogs Of War
Roar Guru
About time Gallop got on the front foot, talking up the game. Doesn't have to go as far as Demetriou, just make sure he does credit all the positives that are coming out of the game, something he has traditionally struggled with throughout his leadership tenure.
prowling panther
Roar Rookie
nrl growth will accelerate even faster with the creation of an independent commission. THe partnership of NEWS ltd and the ARL is a poor relationship and presents conflicts of interest on important decisions made by the NRL. According to Gus Gould, NEWS is obviously preoccupied in raking in the dollars and not serious about game development whilst the ARL is old, inefficient, and should be allowed to die An independent commission would have development and growth of rl as its primary goal and thus allow rl to take a more dominant position on the australian sporting landscape it also creates opportunity to rebrand the code and distance itself from the off field dramas of this year as highlighted in the media over the last couple of days An independent commission is definetly required before they start negotiating new tv rights. Otherwise NEWS will short change league again costing the game some much needed funds
Luke W
Guest
Again, how does league coverage in any way imply spread of the game? Like I said, are Australians scrambling over each other to get a piece of the NFL every time the SuperBowl is screened?
Pippinu
Roar Guru
actually - half piss taking and half half-serious
cuzybro
Roar Rookie
http://www.amnrl.com/ http://www.spike.com/blog/spike-tv-brings/86142
cuzybro
Roar Rookie
you taking the piss or what pip????
Mushi
Guest
I think the 100m is households
oikee
Guest
That is a cable network Luke, it only has 100 million veiwers. Out of that hopefully 4-5 hundred thousand watch. Either way, this cabkle network is a steping stone for other major channels to pick up the game if it produces a regular veiwing audience. Good one. I see Jamaica is also getting the nrl finals beamed over their through spike. Thats good news also. They have just started to get interested in league, and we all know how good their athelics can be.Along with Fiji, we are attracting the best players to our game. Wont be long before we raid the youth "out of Africa" .. Give them a chance to become super stars. Good year for league, seems like things are finally looking up for the spread of the game.
Luke W
Guest
America actually has around 300 million people, if that was the 100 million figure you were referring to. Also, I suppose league will boom in America much the same way NFL has taken over our sporting scene every time the Superbowl is beamed live to our TV screens?
TammyS
Roar Rookie
Ive really enjoyed this year probably more than I have any other year and Im not surprised by the increase in crowds and tv ratings. Having said that, I still think we need to make a few changes on and off the field especially the video ref. I hope they do something about that next year
oikee
Guest
Good point, yes the 2 refs have been excellent for a faster free flowing game, and lets face it, thats all we want. Anyone see that report about Spike t/v america taking the semis and final this year. 100 million audience right their, hope some are watching. Also a guy from the springboks is whinging about league stealing their young players. Why would you not want to be part of a aussie football club, weather that be league AFL or Union. Australia is the best sports country in the world, we have such a diversity of great sports all at the top level. Even hockey is good to play over here, i heard vossy doing the call the other day.
AndyRoo
Roar Guru
Unless your a Roosters fan it has been a great season. All the big games have delivered SOO was excellent then the Tigers vs Eels game received massive hype .... and delivered.
Michael B
Guest
Good news, but still a long way to go to be on the same map as the AFL in terms of crowds and memberships. This is what they should be aspiring to. This year the on field product has improved quite a bit, with more razzle dazzle, which is a welcomed change from the negative wrestling tactics which were introduced by Melb Storm over the past few years. These tactics then spread like a disease to the rest of the competition. 2 refs have fixed this. If the product is good, then people will watch it and the game will grow. Pretty simple.
Pippinu
Roar Guru
Is that players making their marks on the field in spectacular fashion or players taking spectacular marks on the field?
Luke W
Guest
Like I've said in an earlier thread, I've always believed that all the negative press surrounding rugby league this season would only serve to unite and rally the fans. You only have to look at this site to see how passionate people can get about their code when others are deriding it. Spouting negative stories is just News Ltd's creative way of making a profit from the people.
Crosscoder
Guest
Doesn't surprise me, with the quality of games and players making their marks on the field in spectacular fashion. Similar anti social issues happen in the movie and pop world.They have a share of loopies who go over the top,be it drugs,assault,drink driving etc ,yet people still go to the movies,buy DVDs and attend gigs. People are finally getting it into their heads that these problems exist throughout all levels of society and will continue to do so.It will continue whilst we have alcohol and drugs available. The average Joe one assumes,would know the majority of people in all walks of life,are decent upstanding citizens.