Swans Membership

[Swanee]

Reading comments on the Sydney Swans web site 'Bolton thanks members for joining the team' posted here : http://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/newsarticle/tabid/7106/newsid/107570/default.aspx
the writer starts by saying "Every day when the players arrive at the Swans headquarters at the SCG, they check the number pasted to the wall at the entrance to their locker room.
Yesterday it read 21,000 - a number which made players like veteran Jude Bolton proud.

The figure is our number of 2011 members, and Jude, who has been here for 13 seasons, knows how important it is that the Club has a strong base of loyal members."

Now I have searched the Swans website and cant find any running tally of members. Unless I am wrong there isnt any. My question is, and I ask for agreement or disagreement, why cant the Swans have a page that gives supporters and members a running tally. Like in Jude's case, I believe it would add motivation to the supporters to join and become members.

Hopefully without causing too much competition between Sydney and Melbourne based supporters, the memberships could also be broken down into State based memberships.

Perhaps someone from the Swans who peruses this site will have an opinion. I'm also interested in the opinions of Big Footy Swans members, but I believe if it works to strengthen the pride of the players, it would also work to strengthen the pride of the supporters and members, and may even add to the membership base.

 

[TheGoatBaron]

I agree, would be nice to get a running total of our membership totals during the Pre-Season. Other clubs do it, so it surely wouldn't hurt us to do the same thing? Maybe, it could encourage others to join up?

But, it would be interesting to see the comparision rate between Melbourne and Sydney members as well.

 

[Dangas]

maybe on the club website, we used to back in 2007

 

[BIGBEZ]

Hopefully without causing too much competition between Sydney and Melbourne based supporters, the memberships could also be broken down into State based memberships.

I think there is a higher percentage of Sydney based members but the higher quality of the Melbourne based members evens it out.

 

[AG]

^lol'd.

The incentive to the join the club should be there anyway.

 

[TheGoatBaron]

^lol'd.

The incentive to the join the club should be there anyway.

True, but some people are too stingy with their money to take out a membership.

 

[Swanee]

^lol'd.

The incentive to the join the club should be there anyway.

True, but surely if the membership numbers can increase the pride of a veteran player and others, as Jude claims "Bolton said the healthy membership figures were heartening for the players ", doesn't it also translate that it can have a similar effect on the supporters.

 

[SM]

Or that Bolton's putting out spin?

 

[Dangas]

5 years, but wish I had been one when we won the flag

 

[Swanee]

Or that Bolton's putting out spin?

No doubt that is spin, but I still think if the members and supporters can be up to date with the membership numbers, it does add more excitement and interest. Even if just trying to encourage family or friends to join.

Despite the spin of the story by the Swans and including Jude, I havent heard one reason for it (an up to date membership tally) not to be done.

 

[Dangas]

No doubt that is spin, but I still think if the members and supporters can be up to date with the membership numbers, it does add more excitement and interest. Even if just trying to encourage family or friends to join.

Despite the spin of the story by the Swans and including Jude, I havent heard one reason for it (an up to date membership tally) not to be done.

Not in China anymore?

 

[Swanee]

Not in China anymore?

No, presently in Langkawi, Malaysia, near the Thai border. Will probably be here for a few months before heading up to Krabbi and Phuket.

The reports here on the interclub match have been great, so really looking forward to another good season of footy, but sorry I wont get to see much of it.

Keeping this in the thread, I still believe that if it is true that the players have reason to see a running tally of membership numbers (and they dont need to join), how much more important is it for the supporters to be able to keep tibs on whats happening with our membership numbers. The supporters are the ones who may just need that little nudge to push them over.

Its ok to say that the supporters shouldnt need any more incentive to join the club, but thats not taking into account the many variables that many people have to cope with, especially financially. We are apparently the most supported club in Australia (according to a survery conducted by the Melbourne Herald Sun a few years ago), but that doesnt break down to memberships. If we got every supporter to join (thats never going to happen), we would have the biggest membership of any club in Australia. Any opportunity to create greater excitement and interest in our club should be taken.

 

[AG]

We are apparently the most supported club in Australia (according to a survery conducted by the Melbourne Herald Sun a few years ago), but that doesnt break down to memberships.

I remember that poll, it was only due to Sydney having a higher population. Similar to if the US made it in cricket, then their team would have the highest amount of supporters in the world. The majority wouldn't actually be that interested though.

 

[Swanee]

No, presently in Langkawi, Malaysia, near the Thai border. Will probably be here for a few months before heading up to Krabbi and Phuket.

The reports here on the interclub match have been great, so really looking forward to another good season of footy, but sorry I wont get to see much of it.

Keeping this in the thread, I still believe that if it is true that the players have reason to see a running tally of membership numbers (and they dont need to join), how much more important is it for the supporters to be able to keep tibs on whats happening with our membership numbers. The supporters are the ones who may just need that little nudge to push them over.

Its ok to say that the supporters shouldnt need any more incentive to join the club, but thats not taking into account the many variables that many people have to cope with, especially financially. We are apparently the most supported club in Australia (according to a survery conducted by the Melbourne Herald Sun a few years ago), but that doesnt break down to memberships. If we got every supporter to join (thats never going to happen), we would have the biggest membership of any club in Australia. Any opportunity to create greater excitement and interest in our club should be taken.

I remember that poll, it was only due to Sydney having a higher population. Similar to if the US made it in cricket, then their team would have the highest amount of supporters in the world. The majority wouldn't actually be that interested though.

Thats why I said, "thats never going to happen".

But Aussie Gun, you have been negative in your comments towards the idea of the web page with a running tally of members on the Swans website, but you still havent come up with a reason why it wouldnt work or at least help. To my mind anything that assists the club in increasing memberships is worth while. If you do think this could have a negatve impact, explain why?

 

[Swansujelly]

5 years, but wish I had been one when we won the flag

gives me a warm fuzzy feeling knowing I was. Everybody here should join, even if it's just a Supporter Member...

 

[TheGoatBaron]

gives me a warm fuzzy feeling knowing I was. Everybody here should join, even if it's just a Supporter Member...

Makes me warm inside too.

 

[Swans120]

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=495097666323&set=a.268991761323.147839.77278436323&ref=nf

If you have Facebook, you can see this photo of Jetta and apparently a running membership tally behind him.

Seems we're up to 21,379 as of this morning.

 

[J_Moore]

Anyone have any idea how that rates compared with other years?

 

[Swans120]

I know we were ahead of schedule relative to last year earlier this Summer but no idea where we are now.

I know they set 35k as a target for 2011. Doubt we will reach that, but high 20k should be within reach.

 

[bloodsbigot]

Pretty damn good for a state with no tradition of membership (Of course, old South supporters contribute. Irrelevant though considering Collingwood have a vast number of members from other states).

NRL teams in comparison are nowhere near the swans number.

I am so proud to support a club that achieves the number we do against all odds.

Go you swannies.

 

[GotTheGoodes]

Just got my membership pack last night. I'm pumped, bring on 2011!!! Woot!!!

 

[AG]

Who did you get on your pack? I got Jetta, unless he is on every pack?

 

[Swans120]

I got Jetta too.

 

[Dangas]

Still awaiting mine from the Melbourne Office

 

[wocbond]

I remember that poll, it was only due to Sydney having a higher population. Similar to if the US made it in cricket, then their team would have the highest amount of supporters in the world. The majority wouldn't actually be that interested though.

I don't like to be pedantic but even if the US played cricket India's population would outstrip them by about 5 to 1.