http://record.sportsbetaffiliates.com.au/_B2NFMqW0XzOhJjIwNC_yVWNd7ZgqdRLk/6Struggling NRL clubs want crisis meeting to help lure families back to footy
QUEENSLAND NRL clubs struggling through tough economic times and natural disasters have called for a high-level forum to thrash out ways to get more families to the footy.
Gold Coast Titans boss Michael Searle is spearheading the push for a crisis meeting with Premier Anna Bligh and federal politicians to review expensive stadium costs and look at other ways to attract more fans.
Crowds at Titans games have been below-par there were more than 7000 empty seats for the bumper round 3 derby clash against the Broncos and the North Queensland Cowboys admit they are also suffering.
"We have got the Premier and the Prime Minister trying to kickstart the economy through various ways but sport is the least subsided industry out there and we are certainly not immune to the hard economic times," Mr Searle said.
Mr Searle has had talks on the issue with his counterparts, Broncos CEO Paul White and North Queensland chief Peter Jourdain, and is prepared to include AFL rivals, the Brisbane Lions and Gold Coast Suns, in the forum.
Premier Bligh, the Titans' No.1 ticket-holder, told
The Courier-Mail she was happy to sit down with NRL club bosses but quickly ruled out subsidising ticket sales.
"As the Titans' No. 1 fan, I find it disheartening that crowd figures are down but the Government is in the business of building the stadiums for the sport, not subsidising ticket sales," she said.
"Still, I'd be happy to join any forum the team management is proposing and hear their ideas."
Mr Searle described the economic situation as "the worst I can remember" and even likened it to the worldwide meltdown after the 1987 stockmarket crash.
"You would have to be living in a vacuum, or sitting on the moon, to not realise it is tough out there and there is not much disposable income for families.
"This is the worst time I can remember financially, worse than the 1987 crash.
"We need to sit down and have a forum with governments and look at ways to make it more affordable for families to come to the football.
"To run these stadiums is incredibly expensive and there is not a lot of money in ticket revenue. We also need to discuss the economic model around stadiums and look at ways of providing better infrastructure for families."
Mr White, of the Broncos, said Brisbane's crowds were "slightly down, but holding up well, considering everything" but indicated he would be happy to be involved.
The Cowboys reported disappointing crowd numbers and Mr Jourdain insisted the three NRL clubs had to work together, with government, to consider strategies to lure more fans.
"Our crowds are down people are still hurting out there and there are significant parts of the community that can't afford to come to the football," Mr Jourdain said.
http://www.couriermail.com.au/sport...crowds-stay-home/story-e6frep66-1226041188194
