Whenever somebody suggests a 16,18 or 20 team comp., its always scrapped because "there's not enough money". I might sound like a dumbass because the answer is probably obvious but why was the ARL able to have a 20 team comp in 95 & 96 and the NRL in 98. In 99 the NRL had a 17 team comp.
We're being told that 2002 and 2003 were possibly two of the best seasons ever as far as crowds and tv ratings are concerned. But why then can't we afford an 18 or 20 team comp. Gallop basically said that 'a team would not be created on the CC/Gold Coast..a current team would have to be relocated.' because of the lack of funds (I think this has changed since). I want to know where all the money is going. Like..you've got to admit that the NRL is doing an absolute shit job at promoting the NRL. Have a look at Rugby Union. It became professional in 1996 and look at their game internationally. What do we accociate the Wallabies with.."waltzing matilda" "John Howard
" "AUSTRALIA". The wallabies havn't been as successful as the Kangaroos..however they have made supporters proud to support them. Add another word: PASSION. The ARU/IRB make Rugby a big thing. People criticise this and say that "people flock to games to watch the Wallabies thrash Namibia 142-0". You know what I say to the supporters who were still very proud of their sides effort: GOOD ON YOU!! I'm happy for you. I wish our sport could attract 200 people to welcome the national team at the airport of an AFL mad city (Adelaide).
The NRL don't have to spend millions on advertising. The have a create a different attitude amoungst RL supporters. They have to have a better atmosphere at games. Appoint players to volunteer to go around to go to schools etc. I remember as a kid when a basketballer came to my school. (I didn't even know his name). I began to think that basketball was a big thing in Sydney. My teacher was a Kings fan so we were given Kings stickers to put on our book. We played more basketball than RL/touch during PE. I only remember doing anything to do with Rugby League ONCE when we practised grubber kicks. 90% of the time we would practise shooting on the court. All the boys in my class including myself and most of the girls were playing basketball for the school and some of them were playing on Saturdays also. I became interested in the NBA and started following the Orlando Magic. I had never seen an NBA game (it wasn't shown on tv), I wasn't even able to find out their scores! But I proudly wore my Magic cap,t-shirt and school bag. Then..everyone started trading NBA cards..so of course..I couldn't resist. AND WHERE WAS RUGBY LEAGUE DURING THIS TIME. Well I did get bullied for wearing a Wests Magpies hat. I didn't even relise who they were until some kid told me. This all happened during 1994-95. Yep that's right..When Canterbury won the GF. My aunt and grandfather were big Canterbury supporters. But I wasn't really interested in the GF. If someone asked me who I supported in football I would say 'Canterbury-Bankstown' but I wasn't really interested. I don't think I even knew that there was an Australian team. The only games I watched was the State of Origin because it was advertised on tv really well and they made it into a big thing. It gave me the impression that it was 'football' (we always called it football/footy) at the very best. I also vaguely remember Tena Terna and 'simply the best' with the images of blood pouring down the faces of players. It got me really excited about SOO footy because I thought it was really tough etc. Why don't we have those images anymore? Gallop would probably say "its not in the best interest of Rugby League"
The moral to the story is that you don't have to spend millions. You just have to get players out there and get people interested. They sit around on their desks at NRL headquarters trying to figure out their advertising budget. Literally pick yourself up, stop worring about the lack of funds, and get out there and make the effort to make school appearences etc. How will kids get involved otherwise?? The 'That's my team" ads arn't shown anymore let alone during kids programs. Answer this question Gallop!: How the hell do you expect kids to get involved?!! If they see a RL player in real life (even if they don't know who they are), its a really big thing. Think this is a small way of promoting the game?? Think again!! If it wasn't for my family being RL supporters from the "good old days", I would be cheering for the Sydney Kings right now. Because basketball, NOT RUGBY LEAGUE, at my school, was pumped into us. They didn't spend any money..they simply asked a local basketball player to visit the school. They made basketball, NOT TOUCH RL, a major sport at school following soccer. Why do people follow netball, NSL soccer? Because they play these sports. The NRL need to relise this. Get more kids playing RL. Then they will follow the professional version (NRL) and they're kids will etc etc.
Think that you need to spend millions on advertising to increase support...THINK AGAIN!!
They spend a heap of money on 'That's my team'. But there still seems to be a gap somewhere. 'That's my team' is good..but people want to see players with some passion who give up their time to get people interested.
'That's my team" doesn't show the passion in Rugby League.
I'm sick of people saying "'that's my team' is the best thing since Tina Terna." Sure it has a catchy tune.. But has it achieved what it set out to do. Has the crowds, club membership, media attention dramatically increased. NO!! Get out there to the grassroots..the kids..get them interested...then follow this up with the ads. How can you expect people to get intested in the sport by playing a reworded pop song with players running around. I'll say it again literally get out there and get people interested. Then follow this up with the advertising of 'thats my team'. Make it long term. Instead of deciding to not show it as often or at all (which is happening now). Play it at places around the country. At cinemas, on the radio, around the Fox studios area. Set up screens around the city's showing great Rugby league moments.
Make it the norm for people to ask:"where do you come from?" "What religion do you practise?", "WHAT FOOTY TEAM DO YOU FOLLOW?" We have to make people into fanatical supporters, we have to MAKE RUGBY LEAGUE A BIG THING!