Central Coast Mariners Goal scorer Matt Simon (left) reacts with spectators after scoring in the first half of Round 3, A-League match between the Central Coast Mariners and the Queensland Roar at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. The Mariners beat the Roar 4-2. AAP Image/Dave Hunt
Earlier this year, Adrian Musolino wrote an interesting piece about how the A-League was failing to engage the game’s supporters and potential followers by using new media and social networking sites.
“Social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter have transformed how we communicate and interact with one another. It also presents businesses, including sporting teams, a platform to engage with their fans and reach out to new ones,“ wrote Musolino.
At the time, the A-League’s presence on these interactive mediums was about as noteworthy as a Brett Holman shot on goal.
While using the internet to “post links of news articles from their officials sites, post results and fixtures,” as Musolino would like to see, is worthwhile, the way Twitter is being used in the NHL in North America has really caught my attention.
As a recent article in The Globe and Mail explained, David Perron of the St Louis Blues, “Likes to kick back and relax, either at home or at a hotel on the road. But unlike his contemporaries, his version of down time often involves sitting in front of his computer and answering questions from fans around the world (using Twitter).”
It was an idea that originally came from his agent, Allan Walsh, who has a number of other players also on Twitter, and ever since then Perron has enjoyed this opportunity to engage with his fans.
“It’s amazing – the first time I did it, I got over 150 questions,” the 21-year old said.
I might be selling myself out of a job here, but seeing as the sport media should really only exist to form a bridge between a player/club and his/its fans, any chance to simplify that process by cutting out the middle man is surely a good thing.
As Walsh says, “What the NHL has never really understood and will never understand is what the fans want is to interact with the players.
“The league’s philosophy over the years has always been: fans buy tickets to see the team, to cheer for their team and that they’re more concerned about the logo than the name and the number on the back on the sweater.
“But as many times as they say it, it’s not going to make it true.
“What really drives numbers, attendance, TV ratings, are the personalities.”
While the truth is that this approach benefits Walsh and his players by raising their public profile as much as it does the league’s, I couldn’t agree more with the Octagon Sports agent.
Personally, I’ve enjoyed following some of the younger English and American footballers like Darren Bent and Jozy Altidore for some time. Not only can it be a laugh to see pictures of Bent’s team-mate Frazer Campbell’s “newspaper curtains and manikin heads” it can also be informative. Two of Bent’s ‘tweets’ this year have made it into the mainstream media news coverage.
Football Federation Australia should take notice. Anything to increase coverage is a good thing. Still this is the same league that doesn’t institute mandatory ‘mix zones’ (where journalists can interview players after a game), which are par for the course in nearly every other football league or competition around the world.
There’s something in this idea for everyone, and most importantly that includes the fans. Thankfully it would appear someone is finally listening.
After being encouraged to do so by his team’s media manager, coach of the Central Coast Mariners, Lawrie McKinna, has started tweeting, with over 375 followers. Lawrie’s and the club’s intention is to give fans some access into the inner workings of the club. It’s music to my ears.
The Mariners might not be the most progressive club on the pitch, but off it they often lead the way. I’m certain their fans appreciate having the ability to hear form and send messages directly to their coach.
Lawrie should be applauded and the rest of the competition should get on board.
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