Does anyone have any theories why crowds have grown so quickly?
I suggested on last year's crowd thread that increases in various forms of RL participation was one factor feeding through into higher attendances.
Every new participant in contact or non-contact forms of the game has a circle of family and friends. All of whom become potential NRL attendees.
PVL and Abdo clearly see participation as central to growing a fanbase. As do AFL. Hence the money they splurge on Auskick in NSW and QLD.
Whenever this argument is put, someone usually cites Soccer as rebuttal. Difference there is the domestic comp lacks cachet. Far more fashionable for junior Soccer players in Oz to follow a European league.
The crowds and ratings for the Matildas demonstrate what can happen when a Soccer tournament is perceived as prestigious. That groundswell of support would be unlikely without long-standing high rates of participation.
