Bunnies keen to attract gay support

[BrisVegas]

http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/bunnies-keen-to-attract-gay-support/2007/02/18/1171405507014.html

Bunnies keen to attract gay support

Candice Chung and Christine Sams
February 18, 2007 - 12:07AM

THE South Sydney Rabbitohs will be red, green and fabulous this year as they rally for supporters from the gay and lesbian community.

Owner Peter Holmes a Court said it was vital for Souths to show pride in the gay community - including supporting players from within the NRL club - for cultural reasons and to boost crowd numbers.

"It starts with our players, past and present - famous players in the past who have been gay," Mr Holmes a Court said. "Secondly, it's about our fans. About the second guy I met who was a Rabbitohs fan was a big, strong-looking guy, the boyfriend of a male friend of mine - he was a mad Rabbitohs fan. We're going to have them in our community."

Andrew Bullen, a member of the local gay community, said yesterday: "I think it's really admirable that Souths have been the first people to come on board and say, 'Look, we just really want to welcome you to our events' and recognise that gay and lesbian people are no different from anyone else - they enjoy football too."

Souths will be the only NRL club with a stall at Mardi Gras Fair Day, which is being held today at Victoria Park in Camperdown. The organisers of Fair Day are expecting more than 50,000 people this year.

Mr Holmes a Court said the move was also about crunching numbers.

"It's about a serious desire to get the biggest crowds we've ever had to our games. We've got to get every member of our community out there to get behind the team and support the team."

Self-described as a "die-hard Rabbitohs fan", 2007 Fair Day co-chairman Drew Simmons had been in discussion with the Rabbitohs' marketing staff when the idea for a Fair Day stall was born. "The thinking is that Rabbitohs is in the heart of the gay and lesbian community so it's a natural thing to do," Mr Simmons said.

Also yesterday Souths introduced their new co-captains at a fans' day at Erskineville Oval where Rabbitohs co-owner and Hollywood superstar Russell Crowe mixed with players and supporters.

Source: The Sun-Herald

 

[ocko]

good idea

 

[kia ora storm]

Souths should teach them the "play the ball" rule ??...:lol:

 

[Stagger eel]

we can all laugh at this but it's a genuinely smart move by the Bunnies and another reason why they're on track in taking over from Roosters as the glamour club from central Sydney.

 

[Eddie Root]

Considering the club is based in the heart of the gay and lesbian community it makes sense to reach out to that large demographic.

 

[nqboy]

Given that they are the only club fielding a stall at Fair Day, they stand a great chance of getting the jump on other clubs and monopolising the Pink Dollar. As the gay community tend to be wealthier on average than the heterosexual community, there could be a big financial boost for the club in it.

 

[gunnamatta bay]

Makes canning the cheergirls idea even weirder. The dykes would have loved ogling those young lassies.

Gays like glitz. Bring back the cheergirls and add some cheerboys.

 

[murraymob]

Getting rid of the cheergirls is one way to go but will any souths player put their hand up to play hooker

 

[langpark]

so they're gonna target AFL fans are they?

 

[Steel Dragon]

Its probably a smart move - but i cant help thinking its all a bit of a stunt and the bunnies are just after the cash.

Its kinda ironic that Rabbits as a football team mascot is a bit soft, and theyre the ones after the gay crowd.

Meh good luck to them.

 

[gunnamatta bay]

Will the bunny be pink now?

 

[kia ora storm]

Its probably a smart move - but i cant help thinking its all a bit of a stunt and the bunnies are just after the cash.

Its kinda ironic that Rabbits as a football team mascot is a bit soft, and theyre the ones after the gay crowd.

Meh good luck to them.

Exactly...it is just a strategic move to get more supporters and financial gain.;-)

 

[Everlovin' Antichrist]

so they're gonna target AFL fans are they?

lol

Yep, If they get them, that'll drop the Swans crowds significantly.

 

[Copa]

I wish the Raiders had Mr Holmes a Court

 

[NPK]

Weren't they always after the gay community? A bunny is a very pansy mascot after all.

 

[strewth_mate]

About the second guy I met who was a Rabbitohs fan was a big, strong-looking guy, the boyfriend of a male friend of mine - he was a mad Rabbitohs fan. We're going to have them in our community

It's a very odd quote, almost sounds like Peter is throwing out the old 'I have plenty of gay friends, actually' line... Why is this even an issue though? A fan is a fan is a fan; it'd be like saying 'we want to target the Asian community'. There's no guilt problems from discrimination that I'm aware of so it sounds to me like they're looking to fix something that isn't broken.

Unless of course I'm missing something and the gay and lesbian community are actually being ostracized or discouraged from supporting league, then I can't look at this as anything more than either a stunt to improve the image of league in the eyes of New Idea readers, or a contrived way to increase potentially meagre crowds.

Still, clever business...

 

[wittyfan]

Good to see a NRL club acknowledging there are plenty of gay fans out there.

 

[Stranger]

Good to see a NRL club acknowledging there are plenty of gay fans out there.

Why do they need to acknowledge it? Gays aren't discriminated against, they aren't told to stop following league?

Just another publicity stunt for the rabbits.

 

[Raider_69]

I wish the Raiders had Mr Holmes a Court

errr... why?

 

[Moffo]

its a pity they'd have to leave oxford st to go to the games...can't see them pinking up homebush anytime soon