Discussions to take the biggest NRL matches to the biggest stadiums was the key item on the agenda at Thursday’s meeting of club chief executives in Sydney.
ARL chief executive David Gallop said there had been dialogue between clubs about ensuring supporters more supporters came through the turnstiles at the best stadiums, but denied that suburban grounds would ever be lost to the game.
“There’s a real wish to work together and drive benefits that leave fans in no doubt that the place to be is at the game,” Gallop said.
“At the same time the clubs recognise that they need to be actively looking at ways to grow their revenue opportunities by being more cost effective in what they do and in being more innovative in what they offer.
“It’s not about putting a total end to suburban grounds.
“There was no suggestion of people wanting that as an outcome, but it was about taking a game-wide approach to where the game is played, ensuring that the blockbuster games are able to attract big crowds in big venues.”
Adding extra support for the the Toyota Cup competition was also on the agenda in addition to plans to grow the NSW Cup and maintain the Queensland Cup competitions.
“The NSW Cup is an incredibly important part of the game and the clubs want to support the NSWRL in growing its profile,” South Sydney CEO Shane Richardson said.
“There have been some really positive steps of late and we need to continue to provide a strong second tier in both NSW and Queensland.
“Second tier competitions provide a great development program for players over 20 years of age, many of whom will have come from the Toyota Cup and continue to grow in the game.
“Rugby league is incredibly fortunate to have a unique platform such as the Toyota Cup as well as strong second tier senior competitions.”
Queensland's Game is Rugby League
Guest
In Queensland, the rules are that all food and drinks that are taken into the stadium must not be wrapped in commercial paper. You can take a burger from McDonalds, to the game, but only if you remove the wrapper and put it in plain packaging. The same goes for pretty much all other foods. You cannot take flavoured milk to the game.
Mike Turnbull
Guest
Heard the exspression winging poms,Sounds to me like winging aussies ,whats wrong dumbeatnix if you are worried about standing in line before taking a piss,and then having stage fright I,m sorry you must be going to shoddy stadiums.I,ve just booked for the magic weekend in superleague 7 matches over 2 days in one venue in Manchester.Anywhere up to 9 hours at a stretch,I can guarantee there will be no waitting in line ,(75000 crowds each day) Proper British built grounds you see!
Peter
Roar Rookie
More people want to see big games, need bigger stadium for these games. It makes sense when you look at it. Would I go to a big stadium, not in my life-time or anyone elses. Hate having to go to the toilet or buy something at the bigger stadium. Half-time toilet being the main concern though, have you stood in line busting for a piss. When you get there you have to squeeze in between people and hopefully without any stage fright you are free to pee. I hope you get some humour out of this, I hope that you someday get to experience this ... I also hope that you can laugh about it :O
Rabby
Guest
Its all about the total game day experiance. From the moment that I get in the car to go to the game to the moment I step out of it. Game day experiance is not just about what happens on the field but it is the performance of public transport and how the stadium itself is administered as well as food and drink provision. I am an avid rugby league and storm fan and have been for many many years but the experiance at Ammi Park is starting to turn me right off. Having battled with the trian services to the city, the whole bag search, security rules, no this, no that annoys me enormously. But are they checking for bombs or illegal substances - NO, they are checking for food or drink or cameras with greater than 200mm lenses. This is supposed to be about enjoyment not about fleecing the customer and just making it difficult / akward for him/her. The only reason food/drink is banned is so they can charge the earth for crappy products inside. And what is this camera thing all about. I am a footy fan not a criminal. Why do my bags need to be searched at all, why am I not allowed to take whatever I like into the stadium, when were my civil libities so infringed that I have to put up with this. I love watching the Storm and going to games but any more of this and my membership fee next year might just be going to Foxtel instead.
oikee
Guest
Most of what the NRL and AFL do is all from America fact finding missions anyhow. Go to any AFL site and you will find that they have been out and about around the world looking at best practise. Same as some NRL coaches, Wayne Bennett has been many a times overseas. He knows Sir Ferguson as well from Man U. What i mentioned the other day is that the whole NRL needs to work as one unit. This idea of taking games to big stadiums, derbies, great idea, and double headers are another great idea. What also needs to improve is fans comfort, trust me, i am talking better coverage for bad wheather, and bum pillows and cup holders even. No swearing policy would not be a bad idea as well. Just improve every aspect. This is the games mission, or should be.
ManInBlack
Guest
funny thing again on this topic - John Qayle and others talked about what they'd seen around the world and then focussed on the AFL. It seems to me that much of what could be termed 'worlds best practice' has been happening within Australia - - but the NRL has been somewhat reluctant to move down such paths perhaps for fear of being seen to flatter by imitation? What seems to be the by product of the supposed (DT proclaimed) turf war in West Sydney is that the NRL/ARL is finally reacting positively to 'competition' and is adopting change (the IC, membership focus) or considering change (ground rationalisation). Point of it all is that 'competition is good' - to a degree. I've maintained for sometime - the people of West Sydney should embrace that the AFL is focussing on their region (and the FFA now too) - because that is the only way to put them back on the RL radar!!!! Otherwise, fat cats keep lapping up all the milk for themselves.