According to the dictionary, the definition of a bandwagon is: 1. An elaborately decorated wagon used to transport musicians in a parade. 2. A cause or party that attracts increasing numbers of adherents: young voters climbing aboard the party’s bandwagon.
3. A current trend: “Even brand-name [drug] companies . . . have jumped on the generics bandwagon” (Beth Howard).
In sport, a bandwagon can refer to a popular team, or even a subject which is drawing the attention of the public. The same can be said for other areas such as politics, religion, etc.
If we look at AFL, the most followed sporting team, Collingwood, has almost reached 70,000 members so far in 2011 – that’s right, 70,000! As recently as 2010, Melbourne-based AFL clubs were happy with 40,000 members.
The Magpies, after winning the 2010 Premiership, have nearly doubled their membership. Astounding! Names such as the ‘Collingwood Army’, slogans such as ‘Side By Side’ are fostering a culture of ‘we are one, you belong to us’. Makes fans feel special, doesn’t it?
It makes supporters want to stay loyal to a cause, regardless of how bad or good the team is. The money contributed by fans helps the club reach its objectives, both financially and on-field, having the pride in telling others ‘I am a member’.
The Premiership last year has made non-financially supporting fans want to become supporters of the club, to be part of a potential dynasty. The test will be when Collingwood eventually goes into decline – will those supporters stick with the club? Only time will tell.
Outside of sport, we have an ever growing bandwagon of people disliking PM Julia Gillard’s plans to introduce a carbon price for business. The opposition have labelled this a ‘Carbon Tax’, and has seen protests against its introduction.
The chorus of discontent is growing louder, even many media outlets and political commentators dislike the proposal. Have their opinions infiltrated into the minds of everyday Australians? Possibly, however the issue has seen many Australians form ‘teams’ for and against the policy, polarising opinion.
The truth is we will not know until the policy is introduced as to how effective or ineffective it will be. If it leads to cleaner air, the bandwagon against the policy may break down, because health is first priority to most people.
However, the question of money, and how much extra tax each Australian must pay may keep the bandwagon of discontent together, especially those who see money as the most important thing to have. All depends on what each side stands for, and if people stay true to their beliefs.
All around the world we see hoards of people support something. The more successful something becomes, the more people want to be part of it. It’s a natural progression. However, on many occasions we also see numbers dwindle at the sign of poor performance.
The term ‘bandwagon’ has somewhat of a negative connotation, as it can be used to loosely describe someone’s true willingness to support a cause or a team. However, it brings a lot of good within teams because people become united, which can build loyalty down the track.
A bandwagon cannot build itself, only united people can build it so others can join.
Sherrin-Burley-Faulkner
Guest
Collingwood will have just on 70,000 members this year, the break up would be interesting, they have sold out before the season started, all their GF members package, which were all over $1000 each, but OTOH they have included 3 game menberships. Collingwood won grand finals in 1927/28/29/30, but interestingly lost 1920/22/25/26, and at a meeting at the Collingwood Town Hall in March 1927 the committee was put under enormous pressure to end the 7 year premiership ‘drought’. In a remarkable response, the committee sacked the in-form Charlie Tyson as captain and player, and gave the captaincy to Syd Coventry. Charlie Tyson was recruited from Kalgoolie/Boulder in WA, and in fact during the 1890's and early part of last century the Goldfields league was considered for a time the strongest in Australia, even stronger/or on par with the VFL. Of course, goldfield money helped with this, and many great Victorian footballers moved over to WA, but also many people who worked the WA gold mines moved there from the goldfields in Victoria, and gold fields footy in Victoria was very strong.
Swampy
Guest
Hey, Briuce what makes me laugh is none of us have something better to do.
Swampy
Guest
Hey Bruce, I've got no idea what I'm saying either.
James
Guest
""If it leads to cleaner air, the bandwagon against the policy may break down, because health is first priority to most people."" Groan.... CO2 does not make the air dirty, no-one on any side is saying that, you are breathing it out right now. What one side of the debate is saying is that human created CO2 is causing the current climate trend. The other side disagrees either with the cause or the extent. Add to the latter group people who do not believe the tax will do what the government says, or are angry about what they see as the PM lying, but still believe man is warming the earth. This pretty much sums up the state of the current debate. On their own Sceptics probably do not make up a majority based on the polling numbers available; but people in all groups opposed to the tax for whatever reason are in the majority in all polls I have seen [except one outlier commissioned by the Greens]. ""However, the question of money, and how much extra tax each Australian must pay may keep the bandwagon of discontent together, especially those who see money as the most important thing to have."" Mate I can barely pay my rent.
Bruce
Guest
What makes me laugh is you fellas bag someone giving it a go! I wonder where your pieces are!?
Bruce
Guest
As for me I've no idea what he is saying
woodsman
Guest
wow, Swampy- way to go on a tangent and run with it! - I can almost understand what you are insinuating.. almost.
Swampy
Guest
Waste of time. People love to support a club, a cause, a society, a gang, a party, some times people change their minds. Relating politics to sport to educate us on the possibly negative or positive meaning of the term bandwagon is as ridiculous as trying to describe the AFL as a wagon train and the attacking Indians as 16 year old schoolgirls.
John smith
Guest
Is this about footy or a pro labor political rant? Footy and politics don't mix,
Bruce Reedy
Guest
I can see that you’ve clearly missed the point of the article, which seems to be that bandwagon following can create HUGE loyal supporter bases. I think that the point this guy is trying to make is people that follow the same team/political party need to help guide it TOGETHER as a team. I reckon Collingwood is just an example because if 20000 members are wiped off of their 70000 members, then they still have 50000 TRUE LOYAL supporters. That is still a very healthy number of members.
Andrew Leonard
Roar Pro
Not sure what the point of this piece is? It seems like its more politically focused than sport or football / Collingwood focused? Only 4 out or your 14 paragraphs talk about Collingwood and people joining their bandwagon? The rest is definitions and political references...