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!
BigAl
Guest
It's my observation that old people's interest in sport run's parallel with their interest in life in general - it just become more difficult with the passing years.
jus de cochon
Guest
Sport becomes T.V soap after a bit. It just repeats itself. Ever wondered why old people are not interested?
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
Pulp Fiction - one of the best ever sound tracks - once that guitar riff and trumpet solo is in your head, you can't get it out.
Grant Smith
Guest
There had to be someone spoil it didn't there. Never mind. A great article Mark and some of the replies were great too. Mona, a funny story and Fuss, keep trying ! :)
Tom
Guest
Redb - I suppose it's lucky the tiges don't win very often then. :) The future is black and White. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Timmypig
Guest
Fuss - - - priceless, good onya! Mark I enjoyed your contribution, I appreciate your effort. Bravo! For what it's worth, I've gradually withdrawn into a bit of a shell over the years, and I no longer attempt to convince others of the benefits of the sports I like - mother in law included!. I think I'm in a nice place to be, not having to justify or defend my choice of sport. I guess it helps that I enjoy most of them!. Maybe just being stubborn and cynical, and not giving a toss what others' opinions are. Cheers all
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
Me or Fussball?
Bp
Guest
I agree you are the Nelson Mandela of roar
Olrac
Guest
There is a whole other article to be written on how to convert the non sports lover to some sport they have never heard of.
Redb
Roar Guru
I reckon the Tiges have the best theme song in the AFL. You just don't want to hear it after they've beaten you - the Yellow & Black ! tends to get stuck in your head for the rest of the day :) I reckon the other tip is not to talk up your team too much, less the mate decides to barrack for the other team just to stir you up and especially so if they're winning!
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
Fussball You are an inspiration to us all, and a worthy winner of the inaugural Roar contributor of the year. Your tolerance and willingess to share the love will no doubt drive us on to bigger and better things.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Mark Young Yes, it's amazing no "code war" has broken out! From my perspective - and on orders from The Roar moderators ;-) - I'm trying to follow the words of Samuel L Jackson at the end of Tarantino's superb film Pulp Fiction. So, on "the code wars issue", I have certainly been guilty of being "... the tyranny of evil men. But I'm tryin'. I'm tryin' real hard to be a shepherd." -- And we thank you for it, Fuss. Eds.
Mark Young
Guest
Hi NF, Rich Daddie, Kovana, Rugby Wits and Chris K Thanks again for all the positive feedback. I enjoyed planning and writing this and I agree, most sport is just awesome. Mona I am sure T20 will be the turning point, you're right it is a hell of a lot of fun! Also, 17 comments, half a day and no code war..... Truly a Christmas Miracle!
Mark Young
Guest
Words and music here if you want to re-live the moment: http://www.richmondfc.com.au/club%20song/tabid/7657/default.aspx You know I do!
mona
Guest
This is kind of a dumb story but still: We took my cousin, who is not a big sports fan, to the double-header at suncorp this year. It took us three years, a guilt trip about it being my birthday and us paying for her (cheap seat) ticket to convince her to come. Uhm she hated it. And I tried all those things plus the whole "MEN. IN. SHORT. SHORTS. BENDING. OVER. IN. FRONT. OF. YOU. SWEAT. HOTNESS." and it didn't work. So, as the great hosts me and my best friend are, we kind of ignored her because WE HAVE NO TIME FOR OBTUSE PEOPLE WHEN THE OPPOSITION IS TO BE ABUSED! TRIES ARE TO BE CHEERED AT! OUTRAGE TO BE FELT! I guess some people just can't appreciate the awesomeness of heading to the cauldron for some yelling. And I suppose we weren't the best people to try and explain the game to her because we get so caught up in the atmosphere half the time we don't even know what's happening. Our next project is to get her to come to a Big Bash match! Because I genuinely don't think there is anything as awesomely fun as going to a Twenty/20 match.
NF
Guest
Fantastic article I admit I'm new to watching sports..not playing them back in 2009 I went and saw my first rugby league match in Townsville it was West Tigers vs North Queensland Cowboys and the Cowboys gave the Tigers a real toweling of 40+points it was a great night and from then on I decide to learn more about rugby league, it's history,teams,etc so i can gain a greater appreciation of it. Same with football even since the Fury come to town I starting to undertake knowledge of football here and around the world. As for AFL i'm slowly trying to warm up to but over time I get a greater understanding of it same with Union. All sports have strength and weaknesses so let's embrace them all.
Rich_daddy
Roar Guru
Good article, I suppose the only additional thing I could offer is: "don't be afraid to highlight the uniqueness of your game". This could fly in the face of not overcomplicating your sport, but a special feature could be a great selling point. Your guest can walk away thinking "gee that rule was interesting, I reckon something like like that could be good in my sport" By the way, your cousin is not the only person who wonders why league scrums are wussy..................
juro
Guest
It is so funny when you compare different sports. Like you always hear people trying to explain cricket to Americans by likening it to baseball. Sure, it is a bat and ball game, and certain players have certain roles which are similar, but really, the two sports are also opposites in some ways. Having grown up with cricket, on the few times I have tried to watch baseball, I have found it very frustrating. In cricket, it is easy for the batsman to score runs and hard for the fielders to get him out, but in baseball it is the opposite. Almost no runs are scored in some games. Accepting this basic difference has gone a long way in me appreciating it as a sport worth watching.
Elisha Pearce
Expert
Thanks for writing mate! That was tremendous! I really enjoyed it. I love so many different sports that whenever I see a mate or someone comes over I've just finished or am watching some sport that they probably don't watch a whole lot (unless its rugby or cricket). The way I approach it is similar, there is always something that makes a sport popular, find what that it. Search for the right element. And after that basically just get engrossed/excited! Speaking of your American cousin, I even managed to get plenty of my mates excited for this year's NFL season and, last year held the first ever Superbowl party that me and my mates have attended. Basically when I showed them the game (also showed them college football) I made easy to understand points about the incredible physical/athletic abilities these guys have - 'yes, even the pudgier looking ones are more athletic than you or I will ever be." And from that point let them work it out for themselves and didn't say much unless they asked a question.
Fussball ist unser leben
Roar Guru
Nice column, Mark Young. I think you'll find that the song they played when Richmond ran through the banner is Tigerland not "Tigerman". :-) Words and music here if you want to re-live the moment: http://www.richmondfc.com.au/club%20song/tabid/7657/default.aspx