Ambitious Bunnies target goal of 50,000 members
After
South Sydney became the first Sydney club to register 25,000 members, chief executive Shane Richardson has set the ambitious - but in the wake of recent events, still realistic - target of reaching 50,000 over the next four years.
It's the little things Richardson insists on that have contributed to the club becoming the first club to reach the milestone this year. Players are now encouraged to call supporters ''members'', while the club boss's telephone message, and those of his staff, include membership numbers. Richardson still keeps membership forms in his pocket and in his car.
Having beaten Brisbane - only just - to 25,000 for the year this week, every South Sydney member will receive an automated telephone message from coach Michael Maguire.
Richardson estimated the 25,000 members amounted to $3 million in revenue.
''We'd like to think we can get to 26,000 for the year, and that we can start shooting for 40,000 or 50,000,'' Richardson said. ''People said years ago that Sydney wasn't a members town. But it is - we've proven that. A lot of people said we wouldn't get to 25,000 [this year], but our next goal's 50,000. I think we can do it in three or four years' time.''
The Broncos became the first to reach 25,000 members last year. But the Rabbitohs won that battle this year, before the two clubs' clash on Friday night, with the club registering its 25,000th member on Tuesday night.
''It's a tremendous milestone to reach 25,000 members, and I know all the boys want to thank every member for getting behind us this year and in previous years,'' fullback Greg Inglis said. ''When we run out on to the field and see all of the red and green in the stands, it really spurs us on, and our members are as much a part of the team as we are. And it's not just the members who can make it to the game. It's also the members all around Australia and all around the world who get behind us.
''One of the special things about this club is the family environment, and the members are a part of our family. We're all in this together and we'll all celebrate whatever successes we have, both on and off the field, together.''
The Rabbitohs had been one of the first clubs to pinpoint membership as a major revenue driver, even though the game in general remains behind the AFL in that area. NRL boss Dave Smith said the Rabbitohs were ''setting the standard in the game for membership''. ''We want to double membership over the next five years, and Souths have shown what can be done,'' Smith said. ''Membership is the best way to support your club and make it successful.''
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