Dragons considering dropping “Illawarra” from their name

[Gardenia]

How many people did you talk to , 10 , 20 , 50 ? Any NRL fans under 30?

It was hard to find an NRL fan under 30. They either were not interested in footy or followed soccer .

 

[Gardenia]

I say let the Illawarra Steelers have a junior rugby league club which would thrive given the number of local junior clubs in the district. They could field a team in the NSWRL Competition and be a feeder club for the Dragons NRL side.

If this happened, I believe both Illawarra and St George would be much happier chappies.

Makes sense and a good idea

 

[The Partisan]

Will admit I haven't read through the whole thread but have done a search and can't see marketing mentioned anywhere.

That could have been one angle that the SGI management were looking at when raising the idea of a name change.

Sports teams that have the name of a city or region will most likely be more appealing to a novice or new spectator to a sport. Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Gold Coast and to a lesser extent North Qld would be more instantly recognised globally than Canterbury - Bankstown, Cronulla - Sutherland or St. George Illawarra.

If in the future - say between the next 10 to 20 years - our game can grow to a point that it is a recognised and respected sport in new markets, in particular North America and Europe I would think those seeking merchandise would be very selective in their purchases.

An international tourist buying a jersey of the Southern Dragons,or Central Coast Eagles or West Sydney Bulldog when holidaying in Sydney would be more profound than a St George,Manly or Canterbury jersey.

Random Stats website on soccer jersey sales shows most are clubs with a major city or area in the name. Juventus sales were due to the signing of a major star (Rinaldo I think ?).

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1118294/football-shirt-sales-by-club/

As a SEQ based supporter of the Dragons for over 50 years I obviously don't have the 'on the ground' emotion of those who live or lived in the area.

However I do see our game eventually getting a global focus ...and those clubs with a smart marketing and identity team will reap the rewards.

 

[CronullaSaint]

Will admit I haven't read through the whole thread but have done a search and can't see marketing mentioned anywhere.

That could have been one angle that the SGI management were looking at when raising the idea of a name change.

Sports teams that have the name of a city or region will most likely be more appealing to a novice or new spectator to a sport. Melbourne, Brisbane, Sydney, Gold Coast and to a lesser extent North Qld would be more instantly recognised globally than Canterbury - Bankstown, Cronulla - Sutherland or St. George Illawarra.

If in the future - say between the next 10 to 20 years - our game can grow to a point that it is a recognised and respected sport in new markets, in particular North America and Europe I would think those seeking merchandise would be very selective in their purchases.

An international tourist buying a jersey of the Southern Dragons,or Central Coast Eagles or West Sydney Bulldog when holidaying in Sydney would be more profound than a St George,Manly or Canterbury jersey.

Random Stats website on soccer jersey sales shows most are clubs with a major city or area in the name. Juventus sales were due to the signing of a major star (Rinaldo I think ?).

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1118294/football-shirt-sales-by-club/

As a SEQ based supporter of the Dragons for over 50 years I obviously don't have the 'on the ground' emotion of those who live or lived in the area.

However I do see our game eventually getting a global focus ...and those clubs with a smart marketing and identity team will reap the rewards.

Interesting. You mentioned the 3 teams I despise. Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. I know I can be a bit contrary & it seems the great marketing is having the opposite effect on me.
I only follow the team because of the name ST GEORGE and the Illawarra part doesn't bother me, in fact I kind of warm to it.
You do have a good argument, but I think the success of some of the teams is because many of these are 1 club (major) cities & they have a lot of money backing them and influential people.
Our problem is because of poor decisions on board level & management. In 2010 when we won the competition this would never of been an issue.
Success evades problems & lack of success attracts & also creates them, wether real or not.