In the midst of the new houseguests arriving at rugby league HQ this week, much mockery has been had at the expense of NRL CEO Dave Smith’s attempt at ‘bouncing’ a few ideas around with regards to increasing crowds via his entertainment squared initiative.
While Smith’s enthusiasm to make attending NRL matches more attractive was warmly received, mentions of using distractions like live music and jumping castles to sell his vision left many rugby league fans feeling a little, well, deflated.
Seems as though mentions of entertainment not actually happening out on the green stuff had the effect of bringing back painful memories for punters, memories of men in mid-90s hairdos talking about how ‘super’ the game could be.
Which is perhaps a trifle unfair on Smith.
While NRL crowds have increased this year, the black hole of media exposure that is State of Origin is not too far away, and Smith would not be doing his job (or flick passing it off to the new bloke) unless he had a desire to raise attendances.
Also, fans behaving as if NRL matches are holy occasions untouched by silly sideshow ally acts is nonsensical, as the majority of NRL matches already have a number of the distractions Smith was alluding to.
At the last NRL match I attended it was quite possible, in the short walk to the stadium, to have a go at rock climbing, get my hair spray painted, run through an inflatable obstacle course and embarrass myself in several different promo competitions.
Not that I would consider doing any of these mind you, although I did try in vain to buy a Big League from someone, but it’s a fallacy to say I didn’t have the chance if I wanted to.
I think the issue Smith needs to focus on here is who he’s targeting with the extra ‘entertainment and engagement’ initiatives. In particular I believe there is an age issue that should be addressed.
Kids distractions? Go nuts. The first time I ever saw a wacky waving inflatable arm flailing tube man at Shark Park it changed my life, and my little cousin bugs me to take him to the football just to see the ridiculous flame cannons.
Alternative entertainment for adults? Forget it.
Seeing some hopelessly out of place indie band ignored during a pointless twenty minute pre-match acoustic set while you’re trying to talk to the person next to you is an unfortunately common occurrence at NRL matches.
If you’re aged over sixteen and are at a NRL match you’re either there to watch football, or you are there with someone that is. Hence, make all adult orientated entertainment football related.
And this is where my ‘Entertainment Cubed’ initiative comes into play. What it involves is a third game of football, in addition to the NRL and Holden cup games, for rugby league fans to watch while the kids are in the ball pit or feeding the pony in the petting zoo.
Hand the keys for it over to new boy Jim Doyle and I reckon he could rustle something up for us, particularly after having stumbled across the replay of the brilliant game of football between Tweed Heads and Easts Tigers in Queensland’s Intrust Super Cup on the weekend.
Maybe tack on a place where adult fans can congregate before and after a match to talk footy and I believe it would be crowd problems solved.
Rugby league…
Now that’s entertainment!
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