Chief Commercial Officers, Marketing Managers and Membership Managers from the five ANZ tenant clubs, ANZ Stadium and the NRL will meet on Friday to work towards a better, more affordable match day experience for their Members.
After a decline in crowd attendance, the Rabbitohs senior management team went into action to unite the Clubs, ANZ Stadium and the NRL to address the reasons that are keeping Members and their families away from the match day experience.
The clubs working group, instigated by the Rabbitohs, have been working hard behind-the-scenes to get a better 2018 NRL Draw which favours blockbusters, free entry for oppostion Members, better time slots and bigger match days.
On Friday they'll extend their efforts into reducing ticket prices, reducing food and beverage prices, providing integrated transport options and getting better parking options at Sydney Olympic Park for attendees.
“The chief commercial officers and marketing managers are meeting to discuss strategies to overcome the various barriers to attendance at games, particularly at ANZ Stadium. The five ANZ Stadium clubs will be in attendance along with ANZ Stadium and the NRL," said Rabbitohs CCO Shannon Donato.
“We’re looking at things like; reduced ticket prices, reduced food and beverage prices, integrated transport with the cost of the ticket, the issues with parking at Sydney Olympic Park, better marketing and promotion of the games and working collaboratively to promote the games.”
Donato is feeling positive about the progess Souths have made with the Wests Tigers, Canterbury, St George Illawarra, Parramatta, ANZ Stadium and the NRL. However, the former Rabbitohs hooker is still looking to do as much possible for our Members to give them the best experience when they attend matches at ANZ Stadium.
“Not one of those single levers is a silver bullet but working collaboratively they make the whole game a more attractive proposition for families and attendances – certainly it dovetails into the work we’re doing with scheduling to have bigger games at better time slots at a more attractive price point and a better experience overall."
It's an exciting time for Rabbitohs Members with initiatives aimed at increasing their experience at the game. Donato, however, knows Members want to see good footy too and he feels the signs are there for a successful 2018.
The emergence of a young, hungry playing group, the signing of Dane Gagai and the return of Greg Inglis to our senior playing group will add spark to the team.
“Our research shows the two biggest decisions for attending a game is when the game is played and the form of the side, and we’re certainly doing everything on the field to enhance the form of our side, and we’re doing everything off the field to secure the best schedule so our Members are able to attend more games and enjoy an improved experience."
