Interstate Members

[mediumsizered]

I've lived outside of Victoria & bought Carlton memberships, not for what is in it for me, but rather to help the club.

We are never going to match it with Hawthorn, Richmond, Essendon (forget about Collingwood, they cornered the market on signing up ferals) if our supporters are only going to buy memberships on the basis of what is in it for them.

 

[Erko Blue]

I've lived outside of Victoria & bought Carlton memberships, not for what is in it for me, but rather to help the club.

We are never going to match it with Hawthorn, Richmond, Essendon (forget about Collingwood, they cornered the market on signing up ferals) if our supporters are only going to buy memberships on the basis of what is in it for them.

Great post,
I have been an interstate member for many years now even though Carlton play 4 or 5 games in Sydney every decade.
Im shocked that any poster on this board would not be a member in some capacity to support the club they obviously love.

 

[Sharks On A Plane]

I'm a member even though I live in Melbourne and never go to the football due to the fact that literally every deadshit in Victoria seems to be sitting behind me at every game I've ever been to, causing me to get all Big Day Out on their ass and resulting in beer spillage etc.

 

[ERead]

Does Carlton FC view itself as a national team or a Victorian team?

I'd be interesting to know how the club thinks about its rural and interstate members, and if they have plans to increase the number of members from that demographic.

 

[DamoESP]

Does Carlton FC view itself as a national team or a Victorian team?

I'd be interesting to know how the club thinks about its rural and interstate members, and if they have plans to increase the number of members from that demographic.

I'm not too sure how much they focused or worked on it in the past, but last year they actually had a special meeting where reps of all the "official" supporter groups from around the country flew to Melbourne and had a meeting with someone from the club (cannot remember who, it was a newly appointed position) with regards on how to strengthen the relationships between the club and the supporter groups, and in turn, its interstate members.

This was used as an opportunity to voice ideas about how to better support interstate members, and ideas such as making current players available for functions etc. I believe also some member feedback was given as well, as we take note of what people say to us throughout the year with regards to memberships, what works at functions, what doesn’t etc, and this feedback is passed back to the club when possible to do so. Generally we are more concerned on what we can do better as a supporter group first to the local WA supporters as our functions and game day events are not just for members, but for all those young and old that share a passion for the CFC.

So from an official CFC point of view, I have no idea what their plans are regarding growing interstate memberships, but from my view from within the WABlues, they are starting to take steps in the right direction, which is always a good thing! As always with these things though, it was a great idea last year, but let’s see how it turns out this year, and hopefully it doesn't fall into a hole.

 

[Dramoth]

I'm not too sure how much they focused or worked on it in the past, but last year they actually had a special meeting where reps of all the "official" supporter groups from around the country flew to Melbourne and had a meeting with someone from the club (cannot remember who, it was a newly appointed position) with regards on how to strengthen the relationships between the club and the supporter groups, and in turn, its interstate members.

This was used as an opportunity to voice ideas about how to better support interstate members, and ideas such as making current players available for functions etc. I believe also some member feedback was given as well, as we take note of what people say to us throughout the year with regards to memberships, what works at functions, what doesn’t etc, and this feedback is passed back to the club when possible to do so. Generally we are more concerned on what we can do better as a supporter group first to the local WA supporters as our functions and game day events are not just for members, but for all those young and old that share a passion for the CFC.

So from an official CFC point of view, I have no idea what their plans are regarding growing interstate memberships, but from my view from within the WABlues, they are starting to take steps in the right direction, which is always a good thing! As always with these things though, it was a great idea last year, but let’s see how it turns out this year, and hopefully it doesn't fall into a hole.

I think that Ruffy will be one of those driving for addressing interstate membership expansion. IIRC, when he answered my question in that short lived video of his, he said that the club was going to be looking at what they can do for interstate and OS members.

I would be happy if they threw in that advanced media thing for interstate and OS members for nix so we can be as up to date on things happening in the club. Usually, us OS members have to find out at least 8 hours after the event (admittedly, when something goes wrong, we usually find out before the club does).

 

[BlueTongue]

Maybe involve some sort of voucher for x amount at Carlton shop- might actually increase merchandise spending and keep people signing up.

I had a couple of ideas today (whilst being sourly disappointed my membership still hasn't arrived after contacting the club again over a week ago...

• The first was similar to Buzz/Sticks/bryce's - Get rid of the stickers cap etc and get a percentage discount (25-30%) off all merch
• The second was a 'limited social club' membership (one or two visits) so that Interstate supporters can get the chance to go meet & chat with the Players over a Froffie without forking out zillions

Also, I've said this before a few times but I'll bang my drum again; Tassie is a potentially untapped Gold-Mine of memberships for CFC. The number of Tasmanians that 'Barrack' for Carlton is ridiculous.
As previously stated, a few years ago I went to the Hawthorn v Carlton NAB cup final (that we won) and the crowd was at least 60-40 in Carlton's favor. I'm just waiting for a 3rd AFL club to sign up to play a few games here and stuff it up for us. Surely we could sign up for at least ONE (home) game against North Melb down here?? I mean, the Vic games against the Roos don't exactly pull in record crowds do they? Nothing to lose, $$ to gain... (I also made the membership dude I spoke to swear he'd follow this up with the club). /End Rant

 

[Dramoth]

It would be interesting to see how many Carlton supporters/members there are based in Europe... it might be that we could create a Carlton Supporters Europe section where we can have supporter bases in various countries and arrange for meetups in different countries for different games and and gather to watch it live in a pub somewhere.

I know that Malfice and myself are both based in the southeast(ish) of the UK... who else is out there?

 

[CrippsonBlue]

I've lived outside of Victoria & bought Carlton memberships, not for what is in it for me, but rather to help the club.

We are never going to match it with Hawthorn, Richmond, Essendon (forget about Collingwood, they cornered the market on signing up ferals) if our supporters are only going to buy memberships on the basis of what is in it for them

Sorry but if yours is the prevaling attitude then we will never match it with the aforementioned teams.

You're suggesting all members should be devout supporters which put simply is unrealistic. We've had a decade of poor performances on and off the field and for many supporters that is all they've known - what incentive is there for them to continously give to the club if the club won't give to them?

If you want to grow your member base to match those teams there needs to be a focus on retaining and attracting new members. In doing so, it needs to be acknowledged that households are needing to tighten their spending and expenditure is prefixed with 'what is in it for me'.

Interstate members are expected to contibute the most when taking into account the return they receive, and if the club's acknowledgement of this commitment is simply to keep the status quo, then expect numbers to remain or drop.

You suggest it should not be much to expect supports to contribute irrespective of benefits, I suggest it should not be much to expect the club to offer all their members decent benefits.

 

[mediumsizered]

Sorry but if yours is the prevaling attitude then we will never match it with the aforementioned teams.

You're suggesting all members should be devout supporters which put simply is unrealistic. We've had a decade of poor performances on and off the field and for many supporters that is all they've known - what incentive is there for them to give to the club if the club won't give to them?

If you want to grow your member base to match those teams there needs to be a focus on retaining and attracting new members. In doing so, it needs to be acknowledge that households are needing to tighten their spending and expenditure is prefixed with 'what is in it for me'.

Interstate members are expected to contibute the most when taking into account the return they receieve, and if the club's acknowledgement of this commitment is simply to keep the status quo, then expect numbers to remain or drop.

You suggest it should not be much to expect supports to contribute irrespective of benefits, I suggest it should not be much to expect the club to offer all their members decent benefits.

So it's not about the club, it's about you? Of course there is no 'i' in team, so perhaps following an AFL team is not for you.

We've been poor for the last decade, so there has to be an incentive to become a member? How about belonging to the most successful team in VFL/AFL history? Isn't that incentive enough? For goodness sake, Richmond supporters have experienced 30+ years of poor performances, yet their supporters have no hesitation in pledging their loyalty to their club in greater numbers than our supporters do.

When I was living interstate, I wasn't buying a membership because of what the club was going to give to me, I was buying a membership to support my club (& goodness knows, for much of the last decade our club has needed all the financial support it could get).

Following an AFL club is not about "what is in it for me", regardless of the need to tighten spending (football clubs have to be wise with their spending as well, do you want a whiz bang membership pack, or Football Department spending that comes close to that of the Collingwoods, Hawthorns & Eagles of this world)? For me, an interstate membership was a donation to the club, what I got in the membership pack was a bonus. A cap, a scarf, some stickers, Inside Carlton magazines. I just don't know what more you could want, whilst at the same time ensuring the club made some decent money out of memberships.

Supporters should never forget that this time 10 years ago our club came within a breath of 'handing back the keys' to the AFL. If that wasn't enough incentive to buy a membership, I don't know what is. Perhaps you should ask a Fitzroy supporter what it means to lose your club, or North supporters how it has felt seeing their club pushed from pillar to post over the last decade, with them coming within a 'whisker' to being relocated to the Gold Coast, because of their poor financial situations (as a 14 year old I tipped in as much as I could afford to help save the Williamstown Football Club from extinction, without a thought for what was in it for me).

 

[BlueTongue]

So it's not about the club, it's about you? Of course there is no 'i' in team, so perhaps following an AFL team is not for you...

...Following an AFL club is not about "what is in it for me", regardless of the need to tighten spending (football clubs have to be wise with their spending as well, do you want a whiz bang membership pack, or Football Department spending that comes close to that of the Collingwoods, Hawthorns & Eagles of this world)? ...

I think you've missed the point. It's about attracting more/new people to join up by providing a deal that is worthy of the $$ you pay. Not so much about 'I' but 'what we can do to get more on-board'.

 

[Buzz/Sticks/bryce]

Yep ideas thread, we all get the loyalty thing.

 

[Foxy1302]

I'm not too sure how much they focused or worked on it in the past, but last year they actually had a special meeting where reps of all the "official" supporter groups from around the country flew to Melbourne and had a meeting with someone from the club (cannot remember who, it was a newly appointed position) with regards on how to strengthen the relationships between the club and the supporter groups, and in turn, its interstate members.

This was used as an opportunity to voice ideas about how to better support interstate members, and ideas such as making current players available for functions etc. I believe also some member feedback was given as well, as we take note of what people say to us throughout the year with regards to memberships, what works at functions, what doesn’t etc, and this feedback is passed back to the club when possible to do so. Generally we are more concerned on what we can do better as a supporter group first to the local WA supporters as our functions and game day events are not just for members, but for all those young and old that share a passion for the CFC.

So from an official CFC point of view, I have no idea what their plans are regarding growing interstate memberships, but from my view from within the WABlues, they are starting to take steps in the right direction, which is always a good thing! As always with these things though, it was a great idea last year, but let’s see how it turns out this year, and hopefully it doesn't fall into a hole.

Damo, do you know if the club has made any changes as a result of the meeting?

 

[King of Ruin]

I'm a member even though I live in Melbourne and never go to the football due to the fact that literally every deadshit in Victoria seems to be sitting behind me at every game I've ever been to, causing me to get all Big Day Out on their arse and resulting in beer spillage etc.

I said I would behave next time Sharks. Geeeez

 

[mediumsizered]

I think you've missed the point. It's about attracting more/new people to join up by providing a deal that is worthy of the $$ you pay. Not so much about 'I' but 'what we can do to get more on-board'.

Why does someone become a member of an AFL club in the first place? Is it because of what a membership pack contains, or to show their support for the club? Sure, as you start buying more expensive memberships, you do need some value (reserved seats, access to finals tickets, access to the Stephen Kernahan room etc), but I do not believe that a 'cleanskin' is going to choose to support a club because of what is in their membership pack & if you are currently a Carlton supporter who doesn't buy a membership, particularly interstate supporters, what more you could want from your membership, given the lack of access to Carlton games due to the supporter's location?

 

[BlueTongue]

Why does someone become a member of an AFL club in the first place? Is it because of what a membership pack contains, or to show their support for the club? Sure, as you start buying more expensive memberships, you do need some value (reserved seats, access to finals tickets, access to the Stephen Kernahan room etc), but I do not believe that a 'cleanskin' is going to choose to support a club because of what is in their membership pack & if you are currently a Carlton supporter who doesn't buy a membership, particularly interstate supporters, what more you could want from your membership, given the lack of access to Carlton games due to the supporter's location?

I agree, i'm not arguing against what your saying, however, given the choice, I'd much prefer single entry to the Social Club to mix with the team I support, rather than a whole heap of cheap junk from China, which on top of the cost to send it to me, flies in the face of our environmental club status.

Hell, I'd even take one old-fashioned plastic sticker (you know, the type you used to stick on the inside of your back windscreen) over a bunch of paper stickers that fade to white with the first ray of sunlight they catch, a lanyard which is cheap plastic and splits after 1 use, a scarf that is approx 1/3 of the size of a real scarf and suitable only for children of Tom Thumb, and a cap that is so small it looks like a Jewish Kipa on my oversized noggin...

 

[DamoESP]

Hell, I'd even take one old-fashioned plastic sticker (you know, the type you used to stick on the inside of your back windscreen) over a bunch of paper stickers that fade to white with the first ray of sunlight they catch, a lanyard which is cheap plastic and splits after 1 use, a scarf that is approx 1/3 of the size of a real scarf and suitable only for children of Tom Thumb, and a cap that is so small it looks like a Jewish Kipa on my oversized noggin...

Sounds like you might need to start supporting these guys:

 

[swans12]

I am from Newcastle in mid Northern NSW so this is just my take on the membership discussion.

Whilst I can relate to the "its all about supporting the club" argument, the economic reality is that if myself and my son (13) actually attend a game which for many posters is the norm not a luxury the cost is approx $500 to $700 for the weekend for a Sydney game or $1000 plus for a Melbourne fixture and that's if we don't go to the club and purchase some supporter gear whist we are down there.

I would love to have the coin to join at the highest level, however providing my son with the thrill of experiencing the actual product live to me is priceless.

I recognize that being a member is fantastic for the club and its survival, but really apart from the benefit financially to the club, there is little incentive to join for what people like us receive especially in difficult economic times.

The fact that someone pays more than another doesn't make them a more passionate supporter, it just means they are probably in a better financial position or as the majority of full members are from Victoria they actually get to enjoy the benefits the membership provides.

The discount at the shop sounds good, player functions also are good to encourage membership.

When the Blues make a grand final, those who made the economic decision to become members may get tickets, those like us probably wont.

 

[scomac]

My son and i have been members now for a couple of years and are so because of our love of the game and the Carlton brand.I have been an avid Carlton fan since the seventies mainly because of the Claremont players who played at the mighty Blues.Ken Hunter was my idol and i have yet to meet him.The benefits for us are a great seat at Subi which are difficult to obtain if you are not a member.I am hoping to get to The G this year as my son had open heart surgery last year and a good friend of mine who sponsors a player, organised a signed jumper from the players.Unfortunately Carrazzo didnt sign due to that dirty Lonergans tackle which broke his collar bone and we are hoping to get Andrew to sign it for him.As WA Carlton supporters and members, a meet and greet from the players would i believe improve membership.

 

[thylacine60]

My son and i have been members now for a couple of years and are so because of our love of the game and the Carlton brand.I have been an avid Carlton fan since the seventies mainly because of the Claremont players who played at the mighty Blues.Ken Hunter was my idol and i have yet to meet him.The benefits for us are a great seat at Subi which are difficult to obtain if you are not a member.I am hoping to get to The G this year as my son had open heart surgery last year and a good friend of mine who sponsors a player, organised a signed jumper from the players.Unfortunately Carrazzo didnt sign due to that dirty Lonergans tackle which broke his collar bone and we are hoping to get Andrew to sign it for him.As WA Carlton supporters and members, a meet and greet from the players would i believe improve membership.

Kenny Hunter - in my top 3 of all time. Broke his jaw 3 times in his first year of WAFL. Never seen a braver player in the navy blue.
Hey, scomac, all the best with your boy. The club needs supporters like your family and should be looking after you. If you want Carrots' sig feel free to send me the jumper and I'll get it done at training for you. Great post.

 

[Erko Blue]

I am from Newcastle in mid Northern NSW so this is just my take on the membership discussion.

Whilst I can relate to the "its all about supporting the club" argument, the economic reality is that if myself and my son (13) actually attend a game which for many posters is the norm not a luxury the cost is approx $500 to $700 for the weekend for a Sydney game or $1000 plus for a Melbourne fixture and that's if we don't go to the club and purchase some supporter gear whist we are down there.

I would love to have the coin to join at the highest level, however providing my son with the thrill of experiencing the actual product live to me is priceless.

I recognize that being a member is fantastic for the club and its survival, but really apart from the benefit financially to the club, there is little incentive to join for what people like us receive especially in difficult economic times.

The fact that someone pays more than another doesn't make them a more passionate supporter, it just means they are probably in a better financial position or as the majority of full members are from Victoria they actually get to enjoy the benefits the membership provides.

The discount at the shop sounds good, player functions also are good to encourage membership.

When the Blues make a grand final, those who made the economic decision to become members may get tickets, those like us probably wont.

You make some good points, I agree with you that financially things can be tough, especially with a young family.

Other than supporting the club, another reason for us to sign up is to show our colours in a sea of red and white.

An adult and junior CFC long distance membership costs $200 in total.
Less than $4 a week is a cost that sits well with me.

 

[ESKIE]

Kenny Hunter - in my top 3 of all time. Broke his jaw 3 times in his first year of WAFL. Never seen a braver player in the navy blue.
Hey, scomac, all the best with your boy. The club needs supporters like your family and should be looking after you. If you want Carrots' sig feel free to send me the jumper and I'll get it done at training for you. Great post.

Don't care what anyone says, you're good

ps. hope all goes well scomac ..

 

[Dramoth]

Kenny Hunter - in my top 3 of all time. Broke his jaw 3 times in his first year of WAFL. Never seen a braver player in the navy blue.
Hey, scomac, all the best with your boy. The club needs supporters like your family and should be looking after you. If you want Carrots' sig feel free to send me the jumper and I'll get it done at training for you. Great post.

Might as well get half the teams sigs while you are there Thy and really make the lads day...

 

[Jatz]

I live in Sydney (western Sydney at that) and I have a full home and away membership and spend $250+ each year on merchandise (being young and having the cash). I understand that I'm in the minority that would be able to do that. One thing that does irk me is not being able to get into the game in your designated state with the interstate membership.

I love the blues more than anything and I agree with what mediumsizered said regarding the club but I also am aware they aren't perfect. Some things do frustrate me but I remember I love Carlton the club more than the membership department etc. just my 2c worth.

Btw I love the WA blues, is there anything like that in NSW does anyone know?

 

[Dramoth]

I live in Sydney (western Sydney at that) and I have a full home and away membership and spend $250+ each year on merchandise (being young and having the cash). I understand that I'm in the minority that would be able to do that. One thing that does irk me is not being able to get into the game in your designated state with the interstate membership.

I love the blues more than anything and I agree with what mediumsizered said regarding the club but I also am aware they aren't perfect. Some things do frustrate me but I remember I love Carlton the club more than the membership department etc. just my 2c worth.

Btw I love the WA blues, is there anything like that in NSW does anyone know?

If there isnt, start your own