Grassroots Footy in NSW

[Bjo187]

It's a smart strategy to push the brand really hard in the years where the team might go all the way. You catch more supporters when winning. I'd actually target the suburbs that's nrl teams are doing poorly, like wests tigers and bulldogs traditional suburbs. People get annoyed their team is always losing so seek alternatives during those years.

 

[BarryAglett]

Too dangerous: Toby Greene wouldn’t let his daughter play rugby league

On the eve of the AFL’s opportunistic relocation to Sydney and south-east Queensland for the opening round, Giants champion Toby Greene has described rugby league as a “way more” dangerous game than Australian rules.

www.smh.com.au

Maths is not my strong point but out of the 2.6 million target market we only need 0.01% of this to turn up at home games and have to turn some away.

 

[Giant YoYo]

Really feeling for these clubs.

Hope support is forthcoming soon for these clubs to keep as many as possible open.

It's easier to maintain the infrastructure (clubs, networks, coaches, volunteers etc) than have to rebuild once the clubs fold.

I hope with the AFL's recent announcements for grassroots footy a lot of these regions are targeted with support where possible.

Call for help: Junior AFL clubs struggling for numbers

Penrith's most respected local news service. Local newspaper and online news outlet.

westernweekender.com.au

Call for help: Junior AFL clubs struggling for numbers.

The GWS Giants may have everyone talking in the AFL after their stunning opening round victory over the Premiers last weekend but, in reality, the game is at a crisis point in Penrith.

While the AFL is promising to spend $1 billion nationally over the next decade as they aim to have one million registered participants by 2033, the game locally is at its lowest point in years.

One junior club, the Emu Plains/Glenmore Park Lions, which were established in 2000, folded last month due to lack of numbers, while the Penrith Giants – who held a clinic for new players on Tuesday – are struggling to fill their teams for the upcoming Junior AFL season.

“Our numbers are lower this season than in previous years,” Penrith Giants Vice President, Gia Ross told the Weekender.

“We’re trying to promote the club as much as we can but I am concerned about the club’s future.

“I’m not sure that in the next couple of weeks we are going to get the numbers that we want.

“We just have to see how we go.”

In order for the Penrith Giants to survive this season, they’ve been forced to form alliance teams with other western Sydney clubs to help fill positions.

“In the 13-18 age group, all across western Sydney and some other areas of Sydney, a lot of clubs like ours are forming alliances with other clubs,” Penrith Giants Coaching Coordinator, Mick Pearson said.

“We are aligned with the Hawkesbury Saints and the Mountain Lions from Faulconbridge this season for age groups 13 and up. This is new for us due to the decline in this area.”

According to the AFL, NSW is a key focus for the game and western Sydney is a key area. They are developing more ways to play than ever before with opportunities beyond weekend footy and Auskick including a contact-free version of the sport called AFL Superkick and AFL Nines.

But despite all their efforts, clubs like the Giants are seriously concerned for their future especially after what happened to the Emu Plains/Glenmore Park Lions.

“The Lions just didn’t have enough numbers… they tried to start back up again but unfortunately it just didn’t work for them,” Ross said.

“Of course we don’t want that to happen here, that’s why we have aligned with these other clubs.”

To help assist in promoting the sport in Penrith and western Sydney, the GWS Giants sent three players to Greygums Oval on Tuesday evening to mingle and kick a ball with new junior recruits.

Giants star Connor Idun

39

Connor Idun

Age

23

Ht

193cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

8.0

2star

K

5.0

2star

HB

3.0

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.0

4star

MG

74.0

1star

No current season stats available

D

8.0

2star

K

5.0

2star

HB

3.0

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

2.0

4star

MG

74.0

1star

understands it’s his responsibility as an AFL player to help promote the sport at the grassroots.

“We know getting out into the community is very important for the game and we want to help grow the game from the ground up,” he told the Weekender.

“We’ve seen the last couple of years when we’ve been playing well, that there’s a lot more kids that want to be involved. I guess that’s part of our responsibility.

“Face to face consults like today are most important. When kids meet with us face to face, they might decide to put the rugby ball down and have a kick with us… it goes a long way, I think.”

As for the Penrith Giants, they’ll continue to do whatever they can to get players excited about playing AFL again. And while rugby league is bigger than ever in Penrith due to the recent success of the Panthers, they know that AFL deserves a place in this town too.

“I know the NRL is big at the moment as well as basketball and soccer, but we have a great community here at the Penrith Giants,” Ross said.

“All the coaches are great, the kids are great, and we’re very diverse. Just come give us a go.”

 

[Colonial]

Really feeling for these clubs.

Hope support is forthcoming soon for these clubs to keep as many as possible open.

It's easier to maintain the infrastructure (clubs, networks, coaches, volunteers etc) than have to rebuild once the clubs fold.

I hope with the AFL's recent announcements for grassroots footy a lot of these regions are targeted with support where possible.

Call for help: Junior AFL clubs struggling for numbers

Penrith's most respected local news service. Local newspaper and online news outlet.

westernweekender.com.au

Bet you AFL360 and other media don’t go off about this.
Only care if it’s Vic grassroots.

 

[Giant Strides]

Bet you AFL360 and other media don’t go off about this.
Only care if it’s Vic grassroots.

Well, they'll spin it as a negative for the Giants, if they say anything.

 

[Colonial]

But then I get annoyed and say if all these Sydney Aussie rules fans support their Vic clubs why should the Giants support them.

But that could be the pain killers talking.

 

[Giant YoYo]

For those following on with my posts with my NRL family, two kids have previously been registered as part of an 8-week clinic last year (upon my suggestion) and loved it.

My family walked past the Giants stand at the Easter Show yesterday and they got chatting with the team members, Giants team members asked if they'd be back again this year and my family said that they have since moved out of the area (Cumberland LGA) to SW Sydney.

The Giants team members said they'd be heading out that way this year for the first time (near to where the family live), asked if they wanted to be contacted, family (kids excitedly) agreed and gave their details to the Giants who will be in contact.

Kids will be playing footy again this year.

Very happy Giant YoYo.

 

[MelbourneGWS]

Really feeling for these clubs.

Hope support is forthcoming soon for these clubs to keep as many as possible open.

It's easier to maintain the infrastructure (clubs, networks, coaches, volunteers etc) than have to rebuild once the clubs fold.

I hope with the AFL's recent announcements for grassroots footy a lot of these regions are targeted with support where possible.

Call for help: Junior AFL clubs struggling for numbers

Penrith's most respected local news service. Local newspaper and online news outlet.

westernweekender.com.au

So where is the AFL Commission spending the $1 billion for grassroots? Would have thought the non Australian Rules markets would be a priority than Victoria?

 

[Colonial]

 

[Colonial]