The Brumbies have warned members the Super Rugby club could fold if crowds continue to decline.
It comes on the back of their second-lowest ever crowd when they held an Australian derby with Melbourne at GIO Stadium this month.
The Brumbies aim to almost triple that figure of 5283 for their next match against the Sunwolves on June 3.
But in an email sent to members, chief executive Michael Thomson and chairman Phil Thomson explained the dire predicament and pleaded for more support.
“We know you want rugby to thrive in this region and, in part, to achieve this, we need a successful side playing in front of big crowds,” the email reads.
“The funds attendance at games enables us to invest back into our programs … and without your support and those funds the Brumbies may no longer exist.”
After the nightmare attendance against the Rebels, the Brumbies have drawn on three Canberra charities to help lift numbers.
If the Brumbies reach their targeted crowd of 15,000, they will donate $5000 to each organisation.
It would easily top their biggest crowd for the year (13,515), which came against arch rivals the NSW Waratahs.
Michael Thomson said on Wednesday the declining figures could be put down to the team’s struggles on the field, troubles within Super Rugby and an ageing stadium in an inconvenient location.
He pointed to the history of sport in Canberra in hope of a quick turnaround.
“Scheduling is a challenge but if we play the right football, we play entertaining and continue to connect with our community we’re confident people will come,” Thomson said.
“If you look at the history of sporting teams in Canberra, sometimes they turn quickly and we’re confident if we continue to do the right things people will come back.”
Scottd
Guest
If you are playing a style of rugby that people (and the team) believe in then they will come. If you are losing while doing it less will come but they will still mostly be there for you. When you like there is no real game plan and your style is one that obviously can't win the tournament let alone 50% of the games, then neither the suppoters nor the players will believe. If they don't believe, they don't attend. Simples! The Brumbies were a great side on and off the field. They need to fix their off field issues and then the onfield ones to get back to where they were. Frankly, rugby in Australia desperately needs them to get it sorted out.
Jason
Guest
Is there a force/rebel merger??? How do force supporters watch there team! At least cambera and Melbourne arnt thatfar apart to swap grounds for home games sometimes. Just like Crusaders play inNelson etc occasionally
Jason
Guest
Should’ve amalgamated with Melbourne and left Perth be. Camberas crowds are crap most of the time.
DNZ
Guest
Nah it would have killed the Brumbies, but as is pretty evident, it would probably just speed up what the clowns at the club are doing themselves anyhow.
Bakkies
Guest
Nope they move the temporary stands by the pitch
Bakkies
Guest
Wasn't going to happen the RA board made their decision in October 2016 and the Brumbies clubs who hold the voting power would never vote to kill themselves. I don't know how many times it has to be repeated.
Paul D
Roar Rookie
I imagine watching a rugby game at Manuka would be like watching at the SCG. So far away from the field you might as well be at home.
Mac
Guest
Ex Canberra resident from sydney....Move the games to Manuka over which is a walk to the bars and restaurants nearby in both Kingston and Manuka and $10 can ride from the cbd. They’d get 15,000 every game. Bruce stadium is a sh&t hole in the middle of nowhere. Why of why do they build stadiums out of where the action is?
Cadfael
Roar Guru
The Brumbies and Rebels should have merged keeping the Force.
Cadfael
Roar Guru
Tested positive for the second time in a few months.
Train without a station
Guest
Apparently Foxtel continue to increase their subscriber base by about 100k per quarter. I’d say that would be close to keeping up with population growth rather than really growing.
Dubaikiwi
Guest
Ah the old free to air trick is what is stopping people going to the game. Yep give the people access to the game on free tv, that will get them off their buts and along to the game live.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I am not so sure. The Force/Rebels merger seems to be working out just fine. It would annoy the Die hard fans, but Should keep 90% of the fan base, instead of 50. I call it acceptable losses.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
I don't think that the western force would want to relocate to Canberra.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
If you want crowds start winning. People don’t mind the odd loss but so far this season there has been no sign that the players, coaches or management are learning anything from the losses. The team looks rudderless with no direction and stupid panic selections to try and get quick wins at the expense of building. The coach with his angry rants at the players appears clueless and the players themselves don’t seem to know what the plan is, how they’re meant to execute it and what to do if the opposition do something different. Apart from the threat of folding you need something that makes the fans want to come. Something along the line of good rugby, great plays, winning, people who show they care on the field rather than just talk about it and some guts when the going gets tough rather than folding like a wet paper bag.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Pre digital TV a lot more people had pay TV. The medium has changed.
Train without a station
Guest
People being locked out isn’t the issue. Super Rugby has always been a Pay TV product and it sustained crowds for a time. The issue is people with access losing interest.
piru
Roar Rookie
We've got a team, we don't an ARU one
piru
Roar Rookie
Brumbies are the most successful Aussie franchise in Super Rugby history they've bought some leeway imo
Brian Marshall
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately for the vast majority of people Super Rugby does not exist. The situation won’t change without free-to-air coverage.