The hipster thing may be true (i dont know, i dont live there), but hipsters and sports fans a not two mutually exclusive group.
Do you know what this is...?
Its an old Denver Nuggets singlet; but it is also possibly the most hipster thing anyone can where.
Its not that sport doesnt appeal to younger people, its just that many people in Rugby League (ex-players, older fans and the boy-club sections of the admin) cannot let go of the 80's-Bogan Era (rugby leagues last heyday).
Just look at the merchandise the NRL sells; its pretty exclusively playing jerseys. Its not that bad see players in them or to wear one of those to a game, but if i see someone wearing that on the street my first thought is "bogan".
If you want younger people to take up supporting these teams, you need to angle the marketing towards them (im not saying rebrand the NRL, i mean expand the merchandise selection and build on the history).
All they have to do is attach to a surf brand (more climate savvy for sydney and Brisbane than selling scarves and jumpers) or even start their own (call it "Beach Footy Gear" or some shit), design those hipster shirts and pants in club colours with team badges and sell this.
Not only would it make the clubs image look a bit fresher, it would be great advertising for the game (people wearing club colours in public makes supporting the team the normal thing).
But thats just my two cents. The alternative is going on with this "f*ck the Hipster, who needs 'em" and end up with no supporters with a birthday after 1980.
