It’s Tuesday night, the girlfriend is out, I put my dinner on the coffee table, pick up the remote, and search for something amongst the litany of screening services that will allow me to sufficiently unwind from the day at work.
It was at this point, as I scrolled through the Stan home screen, that I made the decision to choose an arbitrary Japanese Top League game that would be my introduction to a competition I had heard much about, but had never actually watched.
It is through this same process, or scenarios similar to this, that it possible to foresee a whole new kind of club rugby supporter being introduced to the competitions that form the heart and soul of Australian rugby.
The availability of Shute Shield and Hospital Cup rugby on demand and on a highly accessible platform has the potential to not only change the way their traditional fans follow the competition, but also the way new fans are introduced to it.
(Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
Apart from the committed club rugby tragic, the reality is that 3pm on a Saturday is not a time where most people have two hours spare to sit in front of the TV, especially not multiple weekends in a row.
Additionally, it has long been an awkward but unavoidable fact that thousands of the most committed rugby supporters our nation boasts are, at that time, either playing themselves or watching rugby in person well away from their screens.
I understand that many club games have been available to screen through a number of websites recently, but the level of accessibility is incomparable to the Stan platform that in many instances is only a remote control button away.
It means that any rugby fan in Australia with a Stan subscription can put their feet up on the coffee table and watch the match of the round when they have the time to do so.
It means fans who haven’t watched their local club play in years due to busy Saturday schedules can re-engage with their club when their schedule permits.
(Photo by Matthew Lewis/Getty Images)
I expect viewership will rise, I expect young kids will get a greater opportunity to watch their local club on TV and dream of playing in their colours, and I expect the club competitions across the country will soon be creating additional content for subscribers.
There is a lot of positivity in Australian rugby right now thanks to the Nine/Stan deal.
A lot of people in club land have been apprehensive to learn how their favourite competition will fit in. To them, I say watch this space. The best is yet to come.
And no, I don’t work for Stan. If they want to give me a free subscription, I’ll accept.
Bourkos
Roar Rookie
I would say that is a great outcome for club rugby rather than against. It will give others a chance to shine in first grade.
gatesy
Roar Guru
I agree with your short synopsis, up to a point. Why should the National Club Championship just be between Brisbane and Sydney clubs. What is wrong with Melbourne, Canberra and Perth coming into it, as First Division, then have the likes of Darwin and Newcastle and Townsville and ....???... in it too? That is how you will get it to work. I Know, I know, busy schedules, club players are amateurs and can't get time off work .... all that jazz. They soon will, if the comp becomes semi-pro and we get some money into it. If people want to ditch the NRC (personally, I don't) then come up with plan B. A true national club championship with, say 6 teams in 2 tiers, promotion and relegation, might be a goer. A challenge cup, maybe an FA cup style competition? There is an old saying, build it and they will come.. doesnt work for our game, because everyone seems to want instant results. You could start a brand new comp tomorrow and if doesn't get instant TV ratings, there will be people waiting to kill it off. So it should be: ,.."build it, wait a bit, let it get some momentum, be patient and they will come, eventually, then it will get stronger and eventually we will have a winner (in spite of the Roarers!!)..
LBJ
Roar Rookie
Most entertaining game of the season so far - Just really good to watch. Love club rugby.
Big Dog
Guest
I understand that each game will have at least two cameras and one caller.
Big Dog
Guest
Yes, that’s true, unfortunately, but I think it’s being worked out now somehow. A glaring miss by Ch9 and Stan.
Bludger
Guest
Sheffield Shield cricket has been doing a similar thing for free for the past decade and a half. How about NSW!? They are pathetic. Only 32!?
Mitch Hanlon
Roar Rookie
Good article. We did live streaming with commentary at the Tamworth Rugby Club. It was meant to allow our older members who didn't want to risk catching Covid to watch games. What surprised us was the number of views over the week following the game. We're doing it this year for all grades because of the positive response.
Double Agent
Guest
If my son wanted to play Ozkick I'd demand a paternity test.
Don
Roar Rookie
I was at the game and the boys ran on from pretty well in front of us in the can bar. Last time I saw a crowd with that energy was the Brisbane GF last year. The boys went nuts that day too.
Walter Black
Guest
If he wants to play Ozkick you need to educate him better.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
Don, regardless of player/coach losses and being the wrong side of the season it was a great game to watch and Easts getting that final penalty was a pity for us from Sydney but the East's crowd went crazy! When was the last time you saw that kind of crowd energy at a SR fixture?
Micko
Roar Rookie
Gem surely isn't an issue in 2021...is it? :shocked:
Beastie Boy
Guest
Will there be commentary and multiple cameras or will it be similar to the other streaming services where it is single camera and no commentary? Part of the appeal of Stan / Nine was free to air coverage but really that hasn’t played out with coverage limited to Gem
Fred Clark
Guest
$370!!!!!!!!!!? At the Yass Rams Junior RFC outside Canberra, the registration is $165 minus the $100 the NSW State Govt. gives to families in the Active Kids Rebate. $65. Who is charging $370?
mjseesred
Roar Rookie
It feels like a breath of fresh air Stan's approach. I hope the keep it coming. I actually think they are on a winner and we will see more games transitioned to FTA over next year or two. Japanese Top League, Super Rugby AU and Super Rugby NZ all locked in. Feels as though they are focussed on the future.
Butcher
Roar Rookie
:thumbup:
Armchair Halfback
Roar Rookie
Thanks Carrick, very positive! That Stan is so accessible and affordable as a platform is such a bonus. Foxtel got very late to streaming with Kayo - just over 2 years ago - and expensive as well. Great to have club rugby and Japanese Top League all in the one place. CVC partners have been increasing their ownership of 6Nations and Pro14, be interesting to see whether Stan sport have any chance of picking up any European tournaments.
Benny
Guest
I’ve signed up for Stan Sport as it’s pretty good value . But only after I came back from the pub last night as they where not showing it at the Brookvale Hotel , as they don’t have Stan . Is it true that Stan hasn’t made a licensing agreement with pubs and clubs ?
Conor
Roar Rookie
Would love to see this game happen the week after the GFs are finished.
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
Why it won't... just had to pay $370 to register my 6 year old for Rugby this year. Meanwhile if he wants to play Ozkick it's free and they'll give him a shirt and a ball.