NRL Atmosphere

[maple_69]

I was hoping we could have a discussion about what could be done to improve the atmosphere at NRL games. I think there's a lot to be learned from how other sports build the live game experience so hopefully people can refrain from getting all shirty about other sports.

Of course the size of crowds is a big piece of the puzzle but that almost needs to be a seperate discussion that can stay in the crowds thread.

I love going to the NRL because I'm obsessed with the sport. To bring in the casual fan though we need to make it a more positive experience. Eg people go to the cricket even though its batshit boring to get on it and have a good time with mates.

What do you think we can do to build the live experience at NRL games?

 

[muzby]

What do you think we can do to build the live experience at NRL games?

- less impact from video ref so there is action on the field, not eyes glued to the TV screen
- decent half time entertainment
- more day games
- right stadium size - atmosphere with 17k at a suburban ground beats 25k at ANZ

 

[perverse]

Accept the fact that Rugby League is never going to have atmosphere like ESL soccer matches, etc. The problem with Rugby League versus soccer or even Union is this respect is that in League there is a lot going on - the audience is engaged with the game and engaged with what is going on. With soccer and to a lesser extent Union, there are long periods of f**k all going on - leaving plenty of time to balance your budget, chant, yell, scream and otherwise make a lot of noise.

I don't believe we'll ever have that kind of atmosphere in League. Our atmosphere will always be intrinsically tied to the action on the field.

Other than that, and I can only speak for the Knights... but attacking, enterprising football brings the crowd into the match. We used to have quite a reputation for being the entertainers of the NRL, and the crowd still craves that to this day. I've sat through years of uninterested, unengaged Newcastle crowds... but at the back end of this season and last (when we went on our winning streaks playing open, free-flowing footy) - the crowds returned and with considerable voice - it was very reminisce of our glory days. It's comforting to know that if we can ever get our shit together - the people will return.

I guess my point is I think negative football turns fans off and shits on atmosphere. The wrestle hasn't helped at all for mine. The boring crowds are a result of the boring football they are watching. I think everyone else is making fair and valid points too - particularly with stadium sizing being a big issue... but entertaining football will produce loud crowds, almost invariably imo.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Take the NFL's approach of compulsary media access and making the players sell the game, rather than trotting out the usual 'we're not taking them lightly, all games are big games' bland BS every week.

You can have all the marketing teams, halftime entertainment etc but it's the players, the big reputations who sell tickets.

Our game can't thrive when we have a primadonna like SBW who won't do media in a GF, and has hardly been sighted all year when it comes to promotion of a game that is somehow expected to do all in its power to keep him?

As shit of a sport as it is, people turn up to AFL games because of the tribalism and how it's sold. We need meaningful rivalries. No one's afraid to sell Origin as a vehicle of hatred and passion, and look how many turn up to watch.

 

[Noname36]

Other than that, and I can only speak for the Knights... but attacking, enterprising football brings the crowd into the match. We used to have quite a reputation for being the entertainers of the NRL, and the crowd still craves that to this day. I've sat through years of uninterested, unengaged Newcastle crowds... but at the back end of this season and last (when we went on our winning streaks playing open, free-flowing footy) - the crowds returned and with considerable voice - it was very reminisce of our glory days. It's comforting to know that if we can ever get our shit together - the people will return.

I guess my point is I think negative football turns fans off and shits on atmosphere. The wrestle hasn't helped at all for mine. The boring crowds are a result of the boring football they are watching. I think everyone else is making fair and valid points too - particularly with stadium sizing being a big issue... but entertaining football will produce loud crowds, almost invariably imo.

I don't know if this is really the case with the Knights tbh. We played incredibly exciting attacking football under the Brian Smith years but nobody showed up. Crowds were poor, and it was like a graveyard. I think the crowds used to get more into it back in the day not because of the football, but because of the blokes that were playing. Blokes like the Johns bros, Chief, O'Davis, Bedsy, BK, etc were really iconic with the Knights and got people excited. Move onto the Smith years and while we were still playing exciting footy it was coming from a bunch of nobodies that nobody recognised or had any connection to.

That wasn't so much an issue for me. As long as they're playing well I couldn't give a shit who was playing...but we know Knights fans are highly insular and I'd bet my house on their passion falling when our golden years of players did. I think it's reason why the fans have gotten so upset over Mase being told to leave despite the fact that he's had maybe 2-3 decent games all year. They like familiar faces and personalities which we had a lot of in the 90s/early 2000s.

 

[Hello, I'm The Doctor]

Team anthems at the beginning of every game (and im being dead serious about this)...

Its been proven that getting people to sing or chant together makes them bond emotionally and makes it easier to feed off eachothers emotions even if you dont actually know each other.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090128160930.htm

We saw just a glimps of what could be at the grand final when they played "Glory Glory to South Sydney" at the start and end of the game and 70k people sang together. Just doing this during the pregame and half time when the players run out is enough to make people pick up eachothers chants during play.

Its the reason chants like "USA, USA" or "Aussie Aussie Aussie, oi oi oi" are so popular. Its why at the begining of every American Football game they play the National Anthem an have everyone sing along together.

Simple and upbeat songs with really repetitive choruses are absolutely perfect for atmosphere at big events like NRL games; these 20-30k people have no reason to chant together, so you need to encourage fans to bond over their shared love of their team.

 

[perverse]

I don't know if this is really the case with the Knights tbh. We played incredibly exciting attacking football under the Brian Smith years but nobody showed up. Crowds were poor, and it was like a graveyard. I think the crowds used to get more into it back in the day not because of the football, but because of the blokes that were playing. Blokes like the Johns bros, Chief, O'Davis, Bedsy, BK, etc were really iconic with the Knights and got people excited. Move onto the Smith years and while we were still playing exciting footy it was coming from a bunch of nobodies that nobody recognised or had any connection to.

That wasn't so much an issue for me. As long as they're playing well I couldn't give a shit who was playing...but we know Knights fans are highly insular and I'd bet my house on their passion falling when our golden years of players did. I think it's reason why the fans have gotten so upset over Mase being told to leave despite the fact that he's had maybe 2-3 decent games all year. They like familiar faces.

I did see a lot of atmosphere come back at the end of this season, and while I think it's partly because we were involved in some thrillers but also because I think people liked seeing the kids come through and play well. Despite only having like 15k and fielding a complete rookie line up the Knights/Roosters game this year had the most atmosphere than I've seen at a Knights home game in years.

The difference being that we weren't really winners under Smith. We played occasionally attractive football, but the heart wasn't in it. They'd just as easily fold to a meagre team one week as they would turn it on against a top 4 team the next. That's nothing particularly new to the Knights, but it's much easier to swallow when you're competing for top 4 spots with a man called Johns in the 7 than it is when you're struggling for 12th-8th.

If you ask your average Knights fan why they're disillusioned with the team, I'm sure many will say because it's because of a lack of locals, because of Tinkler, whatever - all of those silly little insular reasons. I guarantee you if we were playing attractive footy and winning - they'd be in the stadium belting their guts out along with the rest of us. Success is the real key with any team.

I do agree with you though, Knights fans like to see a local product do well and will engage strongly with that too... it's just, we will also happily adopt an import if they do well. I don't think I need to list examples of this - they are well documented amongst our own supporters group. I think the Knights are lucky to have a very rusted on supporter base that will turn up regardless, but ultimately you will see the big crowds and big atmosphere return when we're winning, and winning pretty.

I thought our charge to the prelim last year was pretty telling, too. Geez the fans came out of the woodwork when success seemed possible and we were chucking the ball around.

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Team anthems at the beginning of every game (and im being dead serious about this)...

Its been proven that getting people to sing or chant together makes them bond emotionally and makes it easier to feed off eachothers emotions even if you dont know the people.
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/01/090128160930.htm

We saw just a glimps of what could be at the grand final when they played "Glory Glory to South Sydney" at the start and end of the game and 70k people sang together. Just doing this during the pregame and half time when the players run out is enough to make people pick up eachothers chants during play.

Its the reason chants like "USA, USA" or "Aussie Aussie Aussie, oi oi oi" are so popular. Its why at the begining of every American Football game they play the National Anthem an have everyone sing along together.

Simple and upbeat songs with really repetitive choruses are absolutely perfect for atmosphere at big events like NRL games; these 20-30k people have no reason to chant together, so you need to encourage fans to bond over their shared love of their team.

Tribalism. Bingo.

I hate to use the example of AFL but Port Adelaide play 'Never Tear Us Apart' before their games and it's a raging success. They also have a shithot stadium, mind you.

 

[Hello, I'm The Doctor]

Accept the fact that Rugby League is never going to have atmosphere like ESL soccer matches, etc. The problem with Rugby League versus soccer or even Union is this respect is that in League there is a lot going on - the audience is engaged with the game and engaged with what is going on. With soccer and to a lesser extent Union, there are long periods of f**k all going on - leaving plenty of time to balance your budget, chant, yell, scream and otherwise make a lot of noise.

Honestly that just sounds like a nice excuse for one of the shittier aspects of the sport (like when people say "crowds are bad because its a tv game, so f*ck it, why bother....")

personally, id put it down to the norms of Australian culture; we're very reserved people and dont like to draw attention to ourselves. I know that just sounds like another excuse, but if you look at it as a negative (rather than just shutting your eyes and trying to put a positive spin on it) then it becomes something you can work on to change.

Like i said earlier, getting everyone to sing and chant early in the event opens them up to becoming a part of the atmosphere and then feeding back into it as the game goes on.

Im not saying it would be an easy change to make, but its definitely something that can be done...

 

[MarkC]

I agree with more attractive football and more day games.

Anything that can be done to increase/reward ball movement will make the game more attractive.

It is easy to throw the ball around on a warm sunny winter afternoon than a cold wet winters night.

So fans will come to days games because the weather/environment is better and the football is more attractive.

In particular families with young kids will come to day games.

We also need to be smart about scheduling in terms of location / season .... night games are better in the warmer months.

The reality is night games suit the TV stations ...... my solution is simple ..... expand the comp and we can have more day games.

Rule changes can also make the game more attractive, top of the list would be reduce the wrestle .... but that topic has already been covered.

But in the NRL and Cricket there is a lot of pointless time wasting at present .... have time clocks for scrums .... goal kicks and drop outs etc. If the players are too slow penalise them.

Don't replay the action every time a player is slow to play the ball if they can't play the ball in a fixed time period, they must leave the field and another player must play the ball.
Any high shots etc can be handled by the match review.... if a ref suspects a high shot they can ask for a video otherwise play on.

Limit the time to decide on try/no decisions .... if they can find a reason to overturn the ref after 1 or 2 replays go with the original decision.

 

[Noname36]

The difference being that we weren't really winners under Smith. We played occasionally attractive football, but the heart wasn't in it. They'd just as easily fold to a meagre team one week as they would turn it on against a top 4 team the next. That's nothing particularly new to the Knights, but it's much easier to swallow when you're competing for top 4 spots with a man called Johns in the 7 than it is when you're struggling for 12th-8th.

If you ask your average Knights fan why they're disillusioned with the team, I'm sure many will say because it's because of a lack of locals, because of Tinkler, whatever - all of those silly little insular reasons. I guarantee you if we were playing attractive footy and winning - they'd be in the stadium belting their guts out along with the rest of us. Success is the real key with any team.

I do agree with you though, Knights fans like to see a local product do well and will engage strongly with that too... it's just, we will also happily adopt an import if they do well. I don't think I need to list examples of this - they are well documented amongst our own supporters group. I think the Knights are lucky to have a very rusted on supporter base that will turn up regardless, but ultimately you will see the big crowds and big atmosphere return when we're winning, and winning pretty.

I thought our charge to the prelim last year was pretty telling, too. Geez the fans came out of the woodwork when success seemed possible and we were chucking the ball around.

Oh yeah, winning is absolutely one of the main factors...that goes without saying. I thought you were only referring to the style of play effecting crowds though which I disagreed with given the graveyard we saw during the Smith years despite playing pretty attractive footy.

And on your last point, boy, did they ever. I didn't even realise there were that many Knights fans in existence. It's a shame the club fell into such a hole this year because they really could have built on the support they got at the back end of 2013.

 

[cumberlandsashes81]

Accept the fact that Rugby League is never going to have atmosphere like ESL soccer matches, etc.

Have you ever watched Super League?

 

[Chook Norris]

-Tribalism
-Perhaps more day games since more family friendly
-Right stadiums for the right games

I don't subscribe to the whole "that sport is boring that's why they can chant". As said, plenty happens in an ESL RL match and the atmosphere sh*ts on the NRL's. Tribalism and fans being able to more passionately identify with their team are big contributors

How many NRL teams have chants or songs that their fans all know, identify with, and sing?

 

[Penrose Warrior]

Have you ever watched Super League?

English sporting fans are a very different breed to what happens Down Under.

It would take at least a generation or two of culture change to breed fans who support their side and act on game day how the English do, be it ESL or EPL.

But yeah, I really like the chant/song part. Again, shit sport but playing the club song after an AFL game is great.

 

[POPEYE]

Have you ever watched Super League?

or their darts and where would Cricket be without the barmy army. Their Soccer attitude might be dubious but the Poms are way ahead in League refereeing and good spirited supporter participation.

 

[rabbitohs95]

- less impact from video ref so there is action on the field, not eyes glued to the TV screen
- decent half time entertainment
- more day games
- right stadium size - atmosphere with 17k at a suburban ground beats 25k at ANZ

This this this this this!!!!

- Prevent the refs from going upstairs on big hits when players go down, let the team doctors examine them and prevent diving from happening, wastes too much time.
- Cut down the video referee time to 30 seconds.
- Get up and coming AUSSIE artists and bands to play at pregame/halftime, especially ones who have a connection to the club, for example Violent Soho at Broncos games
- Have day games on Saturday 2pm, Saturday 3pm, Sunday 2pm, Sunday 3pm where possible
- With the stadium sizes we should definitely use the SCG and SFS more, get them packed and only use ANZ where necessary i.e. Dogs vs Souths Good Friday match.

 

[PARRA_FAN]

- less impact from video ref so there is action on the field, not eyes glued to the TV screen
- decent half time entertainment
- more day games
- right stadium size - atmosphere with 17k at a suburban ground beats 25k at ANZ

This.

Surely more Sat afternoon and Sunday afternoon matches.

The game I went to Parra/St George got 18,000 for a Saturday afternoon game which was fantastic and the atmosphere of the crowd was brilliant.

The crowds for day games were a lot better than some of the Sat and Mon night crowds.

 

[Chook Norris]

A lot needs to be done about building a team culture and tribalism on the field as well as off the field. That's part of why membership is a small step in the right direction.

 

[Nerd]

Honestly that just sounds like a nice excuse for one of the shittier aspects of the sport (like when people say "crowds are bad because its a tv game, so f*ck it, why bother....")

personally, id put it down to the norms of Australian culture; we're very reserved people and dont like to draw attention to ourselves. I know that just sounds like another excuse, but if you look at it as a negative (rather than just shutting your eyes and trying to put a positive spin on it) then it becomes something you can work on to change.

Like i said earlier, getting everyone to sing and chant early in the event opens them up to becoming a part of the atmosphere and then feeding back into it as the game goes on.

Im not saying it would be an easy change to make, but its definitely something that can be done...

I don't know Doc. During some stages of Broncos games even with 30 000 + people in attendance the crowd can be very quiet but as soon as something happens the noise goes through the roof. I put it down to that everyone is just concentrating on the game.

 

[madunit]

I was hoping we could have a discussion about what could be done to improve the atmosphere at NRL games. I think there's a lot to be learned from how other sports build the live game experience so hopefully people can refrain from getting all shirty about other sports.

Of course the size of crowds is a big piece of the puzzle but that almost needs to be a seperate discussion that can stay in the crowds thread.

I love going to the NRL because I'm obsessed with the sport. To bring in the casual fan though we need to make it a more positive experience. Eg people go to the cricket even though its batshit boring to get on it and have a good time with mates.

What do you think we can do to build the live experience at NRL games?

If the English Superleague can teach us anything, its that you don't need big crowds to create a big atmosphere.

The issue is the Australian culture. Its not i our mentality to be chanting and cheering for the whole time we're at a game.

We sit there and watch and cheer or boo when something happens. We're a reactive audience.

It happens in every sport in Australia.

No one can fix it so you may as well just accept it.