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As I stated in a previous article, the NRL needs to develop a membership and attendance culture, which is something that has been lacking for some time.
To the casual eye, you would think that clubs would have great membership and attendances due to the history and prestige of the competition. However, it’s the complete opposite.
As the finest league players played in front of near-empty stadiums and near-broke clubs, it was time for a change.
It took until the 00s for it to happen though.
Throughout this time, certain clubs have embraced the ideals of membership while others don’t do enough to push the claim, due to poor financial backing or poor marketing.
Based on the NRL’s official releasing of membership numbers as of 14th February, I will break down the great, good, bad and plain terrible numbers at the moment. With it being a week old I do expect a slight increase in numbers, but for now I used the numbers available.
Great: Rabbitohs (21,006) and St George (16,136)
The Rabbitohs are the benchmark when it comes to membership in the NRL.
They may be criticised for how they structure their memberships, but at the end of the day a ticketed or non-ticketed member is still a member.
St George despite having a bad 2012, managed to garner good membership numbers by tapping into their fan-base successfully. I expect this to grow along the coming weeks too.
Good: Knights (14,195) and Eels (11, 739)
The Knights, despite their financial turmoil, are steadily building a loyal membership base.
The Eels support is constant despite a wooden spoon. Perhaps Ricky Stuart’s appointment has given hope to the Parra faithful. The potential is there in Parra to develop a huge membership base is implemented correctly along with a successful side to boot.
Bad: Broncos (17, 237), Bulldogs (11, 498), Cowboys (9718) and Storm (9745)
The Broncos, for a one-team town, again disappoint me. I mentioned in the earlier article the Broncos underperformed off the field despite all the success on the field.
A 30k membership should be minimum for them considering their constant success and being in a ‘league city’. To be outperformed off the field by the Reds/Lions on a constant basis is embarrassing for the most powerful team in the NRL.
The Bulldogs had a stellar 2012. They should have given supporters good reason to support the team but they are not.
This is disappointing. Ben Barba carving it up should be worth the price of membership alone.
The Storm, as premiers in a membership-based city, need to do more to connect to the state of Victoria through grassroots and actively getting among the community.
They are still seen by many as a plastic club the same way some in Queensland and New South Wales see the Suns and Giants as plastic.
My Cowboys have had a stellar 2012. With possibility their best squad assembled this year, they have the potential to go all the way.
It’s the perfect opportunity for any Cowboys fan to get behind the club now with the depth and talent available so can make a good run to the finals and possibly the big one.
Terrible
Penrith (3609), Wests Tigers (7628), Manly (6031), Raiders (6668), Cronulla (6812), Gold Coast (6041), Warriors (7713) and Roosters (7689).
Terrible should be a understatement.
The numbers are a disgrace for some clubs, in particular Penrith who have shockingly low numbers, even GWS have greater numbers.
This is just unacceptable.
Manly, despite making finals and winning premierships over the decade can’t convince supporters to go over a bridge, let alone get a membership.
Cronulla supporters should have more faith in the club as a result of their performance last year as they are in finals contention in 2013.
The rest of the clubs have unacceptable numbers for a professional competition.
For a competition as old as the NRL to have sub 10k membership numbers after decades of history is intolerable.
Hopefully over time all clubs will be above the 10k minimum and higher numbers will be established.
It’s up to the ARLC and the fans to pull their weight and make it happen.
Mediocrity is not acceptable and I expect a significant increase in memberships by round one.
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