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How to make Brisbane City vs Queensland Country the best it can be

Roar Pro
15th September, 2014
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Brisbane City take on Perth Spirit in the NRC final at Ballymore. (Image: AJF Photography)
Roar Pro
15th September, 2014
47
1094 Reads

I am a passionate supporter of Queensland rugby. I have recently gone to or watched every NRC game that has been held here. I am a big believer in the competition and I hope it is successful.

The upcoming Brisbane City versus Queensland Country game is particularly exciting, and I think around 5000 people is par for this type of game. With some good, cheap marketing, I think we couple be looking at 10,000 or 15,000. Once you fill it, Ballymore is the sort of place people will come back to as well.

This is the perfect time to try and build some tradition and a following around this new comp. Some of these ideas might a bit far-fetched but we need to try something.

When I think Ballymore I think about Queensland’s proud and unique rugby tradition. I have very fond memories at the ground as a kid with my father. When I think Ballymore I think about community and club rugby’s passionate grassroots volunteer culture.

I have noticed games there has been a great emphasis catering to kids with jumping castles and alike, and this is a great start, but I would love to see more market/carnival atmosphere.

The teams could partner with groups like “Think Queensland, Buy Locally,” “Buy Local.com” and “Communify” and have local businesses and produce, local food, craft beers, wine tasting. Have a ladies lounge that has comfy seats, massages and maybe even some wine.

There could be a section dedicated to premier rugby clubs called “Clubland” where each club gets a booth, covers it in their colours and flogs merchandise. This keeps people in touch with young recruits and shows off the club’s history.

There are thousands of ex-club players and old boys that have moved on and lost touch with their team, and I think they would probably enjoy having a beer, a chat and catching up with what their old club is up to. As a tradition you could make it such that the winning club brings along the Hospitals Cup, and I think there would be some good banter.

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Just getting the clubs there would do a lot for this competition.

A little museum area dedicated to Queensland Rugby history manned by a legend of the area would be great too.

Another way to play into the heritage aspect would be to get some well-known past players to MC and commentate. Surely Chris Handy, Dan Crowley, Ben Tune, Chris Latham, John Roe and Greg Martin might be up for it?

How about the following the lead of premier clubs and splitting the hillh in half. One side could be covered in yellow and blue with a big banner called “The Council,” with the other side navy blue and named “The Bush.”

Or bring back the push-up boys, and see whether red dog has learnt to bring tees on the field. The crowd loves that stuff.

Rugby has a tradition of war cries before a game which for some reason isn’t employed at Super Rugby, so why shouldn’t the NRC have both teams in a huddle next to their supporters doing a war cry pre-game.

I really enjoy the Brisbane City song “Glory, Glory Brisbane City”, but the glaring issue is that nobody knows the words. Is it on the website? I reckon handing out flyers with the lyrics and maybe some chants would be a good start, along with a few flags and banners.

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And how about a Queensland Country a victory song too? Then have the winner face their supporters on the hill and sing their song at the end of the game.

It would be a welcome change for me from playing dance music. I know clubs hire a DJ, so if you have to play music make it themed. For example Brisbane City should play both old and new Brisbane bands like Powerfinger, The Saints, The Go-Betweens, Regurgitator and The Bee Gees.

Queensland Country musicians can do the same, or even better yet get a local band to play.

Facebook pages are another easy way to garner support, so one called “Brisbane City Rugby Supporters Club” partnered with the clubs, encouraging fans to send in their photos and stories. We can make it a meeting point for Brisbane club land.

A Queensland Country Rugby Supporters Club would partner with the Queensland Country Heelers, and have it cover all things bush football. Start a rivalry between the two pages and Twitter accounts for even more exposure.

I also think it’s an obvious one to play one Queensland Country game on the Gold Coast to support the sponsors, but to play the rest in Toowoomba, Bundaberg or Rockhampton and Townsville as well.

My final piece of advice would be not to ignore radio! They love sport, and are often looking for new subjects.

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The obvious ones of flyers and publicity stunts are already in place, but can we do more?

What do you think Roarers? What are some other ways for the NRC to get noticed by more people?

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