SANFL Crowd Figures

[Wedgie]

From PhilH at footysa, interesting reading:

TOTAL CROWD FIGURES (Minor Rd & Finals)
2000 – 349,088
2001 – 344,135
2002 – 352,059
2003 – 313,215
2004 – 312,360
2005 – 303,354

MINOR ROUND TOTALS (All 90 game seasons)
2000 – 266,982 (Avg 2966 per game)
2001 – 278,805 (Avg 3098 per game)
2002 – 279,113 (Avg 3101 per game)
2003 – 260,137 (Avg 2890 per game)
2004 – 253,097 (Avg 2812 per game)
2005 – 247,236 (Avg 2747 per game)

CLUB BY CLUB (Average across all 20 Minor Rd Games)

Central
2003 – 3219 (4)
2004 – 3325 (1)
2005 – 2914 (5)

Eagles
2003 – 2488 (5)
2004 – 2611 (6)
2005 – 2601 (6)

Glenelg
2003 – 2479 (6)
2004 – 2460 (7)
2005 – 2483 (7)

North
2003 – 2334 (8)
2004 – 3157 (4)
2005 – 2916 (4)

Norwood
2003 – 3583 (2)
2004 – 2990 (5)
2005 – 3027 (3)

Port Magpies
2003 – 3399 (3)
2004 – 3247 (2)
2005 – 3387 (1)

South
2003 – 2049 (9)
2004 – 1941 (9)
2005 – 1990 (9)

Sturt
2003 – 4066 (1)
2004 – 3244 (2)
2005 – 3198 (2)

West
2003 – 2447 (7)
2004 – 2380 (8)
2005 – 2167 (8)


GROUND BY GROUND (Avg per game at the ground)

NAP Oval
2003 – 3269
2004 – 3184
2005 – 2968

Woodville
2003 – 2192
2004 – 2601
2005 – 2332

Glenelg
2003 – 2749
2004 – 2699
2005 – 2563

Prospect
2003 – 2284
2004 – 3462
2005 – 3218

Norwood
2003 – 3914
2004 – 3289
2005 – 3460

Alberton
2003 – 2892
2004 – 2856
2005 – 3101

Noarlunga
2003 – 1505
2004 – 1656
2005 – 1530

Unley
2003 – 3030
2004 – 3580
2005 – 2597

BroadSpectrum
2003 – 2153
2004 – 2004
2005 – 1727

[SBR]

Really does make you feel ill inside when you see how the figures keep dropping, here's hoping they stop.. or grow.

2004 – 3157 (4)
2005 – 2916 (4)

I still don't get that one..

[Jimmy]

loyal sturt fans we are

[Magpiespower]

So Port, Sturt and Norwood were the top three crowd-pullers in two of the three seasons.

And Port and Sturt were top three in every year.

The more things change, the more they stay the same...

[Dog_ger]

From PhilH at footysa, interesting reading:

TOTAL CROWD FIGURES (Minor Rd & Finals)
2000 – 349,088
2001 – 344,135
2002 – 352,059
2003 – 313,215
2004 – 312,360
2005 – 303,354

You could say that there might be less than 300,000 in attendance 2006. That is 50,000 people doing something else over a 7 year period. Clubs will struggle. There must be a bottom line in attendance figures that can sustain a nine club competition..? One would think...?
We are a dying league....

[Dog_ger]

The more I look at the figures, the more it scares me. SANFL, this means that someone in a high place, possibly on a very good salary, possibly with a company car, etc, etc, etc, isn't doing their job. I can tell you SANFL that every poster on this site would not have the same luxury...!

[Jman]

I believe the SANFL needs to promote and advertise the league more than it is currently doing otherwise crowd numbers will continue to drop.
The SANFL must have a shit load of money lying around and they can do better than those ridiculous ads with the steak knife guy. Those ads are just embarrassing for the league.
Maybe the SANFL could also consider dropping the admission price from $8 to $5 as this might encourage those half hearted supporters to get on board. With the amount of money the SANFL make from the crows and power they could afford to do it.

[Ian]

I believe the SANFL needs to promote and advertise the league more than it is currently doing otherwise crowd numbers will continue to drop.
The SANFL must have a shit load of money lying around and they can do better than those ridiculous ads with the steak knife guy. Those ads are just embarrassing for the league.
Maybe the SANFL could also consider dropping the admission price from $8 to $5 as this might encourage those half hearted supporters to get on board. With the amount of money the SANFL make from the crows and power they could afford to do it.

They don't need to promote the league to make money, they reap in enough from the Cows and Powder Puffs

I don't think dropping the price from $8 to $10 wil help with crowd numbers, $8 is still a very cheap days entertainment, and those that want to go, already do, better promotion, especially to kids will do more for long term crowds, attract them now, and some will keep coming when they are paying adults.

[Macca19]

Admission price isnt an issue. $8 adults and Under 18s free is exceptionally good value. I dont think dropping the price to $5 will increase attendances. It seems more deep seated than that.

The SANFL has had some pretty big ad campaigns the last few years with the 'Show Your True Colours' and Tim Shaw campaigns. The fact that attendances have dropped nearly 50k in that time is pretty worrying.

[Gilly]

I didn't like nor dislike the Tim Shaw campaign but I think the SANFL needs to stop selling the competition as "grass roots" because it makes it sound like it's a poorer standard. They should think about a campaign that shows that there's a direct link between the AFL and the SANFL. Run an ad that shows current AFL players when they were with their SANFL sides. I couldn't believe it, but I was having a discussion at work with a couple of people who have only followed footy since the Crows came in, and they admitted that had no idea that some of the players came from SANFL clubs. We can laugh at these people and dismiss them as "Johnny come lately" football supporters, but this group, and their kids, need to be shown that the SANFL is not only an excellent stand alone competition, but is also a precursor to the AFL for younger players.

[Jman]

I didn't like nor dislike the Tim Shaw campaign but I think the SANFL needs to stop selling the competition as "grass roots" because it makes it sound like it's a poorer standard. They should think about a campaign that shows that there's a direct link between the AFL and the SANFL. Run an ad that shows current AFL players when they were with their SANFL sides. I couldn't believe it, but I was having a discussion at work with a couple of people who have only followed footy since the Crows came in, and they admitted that had no idea that some of the players came from SANFL clubs. We can laugh at these people and dismiss them as "Johnny come lately" football supporters, but this group, and their kids, need to be shown that the SANFL is not only an excellent stand alone competition, but is also a precursor to the AFL for younger players.

Good point an ad linking AFL players to the SANFL would be a great way to sell SANFL footy. Good thinking Gilly.
I also agree that $8 isn't much for people to pay, however i do not want to see crowd numbers continue to fall, hopefully the SANFL can rectify this.

[Jman]

Maybe more night games could increase crowd numbers, possible play all finals at night as well.

[Dog_ger]

All good points fellas, also Not just under 18's free, give every one of them a pie and coke...! Get them coming and keep them coming. Make it so there is nothing better for to do on weekends than come to the footy and get their pie and coke and watch a game of footy..? They might even drag Mum and Dad along with a bunch of class mates..? Been to a Hardware store or a burger franchise lately..? They all have playgrounds in them. Where's the play ground at the footy for the littlies..? Everything is missing from the SANFL. They haven't kept up with the times. Too many old heads..! SANFL must invest in the youth of today to reep the rewards down the track.

[stan]

Yeah good post dog_ger. Get some youth in there. invest in the youth today or ..........

[spell_check]

ABC don't cover matches at night, so it should drag more people to finals matches if they were at night.

[Ecky]

Glenelg
2003 – 2749
2004 – 2699
2005 – 2563

These averages for Glenelg Oval have not been attributed to the correct years. They should be:

2003 - 2699
2004 - 2563
2005 - 2749

So the trend is actually slightly more positive for us.

By the way, I haven't checked the other club figures - I think that is a job for Spelly

[therisingblues]

Been to a Hardware store or a burger franchise lately..? They all have playgrounds in them. Where's the play ground at the footy for the littlies..? Everything is missing from the SANFL. They haven't kept up with the times. Too many old heads..!

That's why Sturt still manages to pull in the crowds despite our recent slide on the ladder.
Genius loves company Dogger. Finally SOMEBODY who understands us Unley folk!

[sus]

I know Ive said this before but the SANFL should be marketed for what it is, and what it has always been - a primal community experience. Club v club representing community v community. Green leafy suburbs club Norwood v Northern Suburbs working class club Centrals. Wharfies v Southerners. The proof of how successful this can be is there - Centrals have done it particularly well recently. People love that sense of community and its lacking in our soiciety - we just need an avenue to pick it back up and SANFL footy is one way it could be done! Show me any Northern or Southern suburbs person that doesnt like to have a dig at the green leafy suburbs which associate with a Sturt or a Norwood.

The other thing that should be promoted more is the level or standard of Football itself. The league is growing in professionalism more and more. And clubs, through gaming revenue streams, will find that they have the resources to drive the level of professionalism up. The standard, the professionalism, the players, should all be marketed better.
The players are fast becoming exceptionally tough athletes who dedicate themselves more and more to demands at this level. Crickey its much harder for a dedicated SANFL player to juggle training and full-time work than it is for an AWFL player to dedicate themselves to their one and only trade (if they do something else its generally only for forward planning sake or to mix their footy up - not cause they have too to survive). Market the toughness - on and off the ground. I mean AWFL is becoming so soft (rule changes) - people love a bit of biff so long as its not out of hand - market that show the big hits, teh athleticism, the bodies (for the girls and others).

The marketing needs to be bigger picture than just putting a few playgrounds in or telling people that they can buy a pie at the Footy. Jeesh I can walk out my front door and give my kids a swing in the park next door, and I can walk another 5 mins down the road and buy a pie - these things dont set the SANFL experience apart from other competing leisures. I agree its important to have these small elements in place so people cant use any excuses not to go - but get big picture, setup big marketing.

[Magpiespower]

Market the toughness - on and off the ground. I mean AWFL is becoming so soft (rule changes) - people love a bit of biff so long as its not out of hand - market that show the big hits, teh athleticism, the bodies (for the girls and others).

NRL would be a good case study.

For a while its whole strategy was based on the 'biff.'

But they had to tone it down after the inevitable backlash.

[tigerhutch]

I agree about advertising more about linking AFL players to the SANFL. We should use the AFL as an advantage instead of being so negative towards it.

Prices for SANFL are fine. I think one of the biggest contributers to low attendances is the draw. We need to abolish the Bye by either having an 8 team or 10 team competition. Also having more games at Adelaide Oval and night games would improve the crowds. The draw at the moment is so uneven (even worse than the AFL) where you play the same team 3 times in a year and can end up playing twice at their home ground, surely more neutral games can be played at Adelaide Oval