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Australian Socceroos fans enjoy the atmosphere at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. AAP Image/Julian Smith
It is a real thrill for any sports fan to introduce someone new to their game; a rare chance to show-off all things good about it and hopefully induct a new disciple to the fold. So how do you make the most of these situations?
I had the pleasure of going with a friend to see my first AFL game this year, with 75,000 other fans at the MCG. And later on in the season, I spent a Saturday night with an American relative watching a Wallaby Test and NRL game during a particularly lively super Saturday. So having been both the follower and the guide, it became clear to me that there are things you should definitely do to help sell your game, and some things you avoid like the plague. They are:
DO get to the game.
Live sport is an incredible thing; witness the hordes of fans who flock to obscure sports during the Olympics and Commonwealth Games and get totally sucked in. I couldn’t get over how much better AFL is from high in the Olympic Stand surrounded by enthusiastic fans than on a 81cm LCD while my wife talks to me about the shopping list. Later on in the year, as we watched our super Saturday, I really wished we were watching the game at Stadium Australia instead of from my lounge room. So if you can, take them to a game – for the build up, the entrance of the players, the screams of outrage at the referee, the delirium of victory, and the sour pout of defeat.
DON’T over-complicate it.
Most sports, especially football codes, are basically the same; a bunch of guys in one colour try and get a ball up the end of a team of similarly dressed guys in different colours. The referees all cheat, some players are loved, others loathed. Don’t give into the urge to explain every minor aspect of the game in the first ten minutes, let the game develop in front of you both.
DO frame it around their game.
Have you ever noticed that League is incredibly similar to Gridiron? Five tackles meet four downs, play the ball straight away instead of in 45 seconds, line of scrimmage ten metres back, etc, etc. When you talk about your game in reference to theirs, it makes it easier for them to follow and more importantly shows them you have taken the time to get to know their game, instead of just jamming yours in their face.
DON’T ignore the log in your eye.
When my cousin asked why the scrums in League were so wussy compared to Union, I didn’t cry that at least they aren’t wearing pads and helmets. Every game has some enormously stupid or bad elements which, as a fan, you have come to accept. Just acknowledge the craziness, laugh and move on. Chances are that they have only pointed it out because they are having a great time and are trying to justify to themselves that haven’t been spending a lifetime following the wrong game.
DO let the surprises come.
When Richmond ran out through the giant banner and jogged about like a swarm of bees, while “Tigerland” played, I was grinning like a lunatic and clapping my hands. My friend knew the sort of person I was and made sure I was watching but didn’t give me any inkling what was about to happen, and I loved it! Similarly, when the All Blacks forwards cut in half some dopey centre who strolled into the forwards and descended on him like a swarm of locusts, my American cousin cheered out loud in surprise and talked about it for the next five minutes. Let the surprises come like a Christmas morning!
DON’T take it to heart if things go bad.
Most sports fans will have favourite sports but will be willing to embrace all sorts of other games. So in all likelihood, they will have a great time and appreciate your efforts. However, there is still that chance that your little project will be a complete sulk or know it all, rejecting your efforts and declaring your sport weak, dumb or inferior. It’s their loss, not yours. Your sport has millions of fans who aren’t wrong and if they don’t want to get on board, too bad.
Can anyone recommend some suggestions for selling their game?
PS: While at the MCG, I tried to get involved so when there was a great kick and mark, I jumped to my feet and screamed out, “Ooowwwaaahhh!” Everyone around me stared at me like I was some sort of goose, which is when my friend explained they were calling out “ball” to the umpire. That would have been better explained before the game!
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