The Cumberland Throw

Why the Eels actually are the most marketable sporting identity in Western Sydney

 

New Parramatta Eels CEO, Bernie Gurr, has drawn a little criticism from his Western Sydney rivals over the last couple of days following a statement he made in a bid to find his club a new major corporate partner ahead of the 2017 NRL season.

The administrative face of the blue and gold boldly declared: “We are the strongest professional sports organisation in Western Sydney.”

It’s a statement that has ruffled the feathers of both cross-city and cross-code opponents. Many of whom (if the quote grabs of particular news sources are anything to go by) have chosen to present their own perspective on the matter as they naturally push their own claims to said statement.

Folks, this is nothing new in sport. After all, the very nature of sport is competition. In fact the very definition of sport is: “an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment.”

Did you notice that last part? “Competes against another or others for entertainment”

All of a sudden, we’re not just talking about sport anymore. We’re talking about entertainment (of which sport is a subcategory).

Proclamation: Eels CEO Bernie Gurr has some very valid points about the Eels metrics

Sport is in competition with other forms of entertainment to yield as much consumer and corporate dollars as it can for the survival and advancement of its cause, which is ultimately, to become the most entertaining product available to the consumer that generates profits for its owners to re-invest into the maintenance and on-going growth of that product.

In order to generate this much market share it relies on external sources to finance part or all of its operations in order to put itself in the most competitive position possible. That way the life of its product becomes sustainable – it’s how all businesses work.

In the rugby league landscape clubs are competing against each other for the membership, ticket and merchandise dollars of unaffiliated supporters and arm chair supporters to generate income and secondary spend (their loyal supporters are already guaranteed revenues in this marketplace), as well as for corporate dollars to support its operations (separate of broadcasting deals and Leagues Club grants).

Now consider that sport is a subcategory of entertainment, competing for your attention against all other forms of entertainment. Within this subcategory, there are a multitude of options to pick from (all the sporting options available in Sydney, one of which is rugby league) and within rugby league there are sixteen teams to pick from – nine of which are located in this city – a city with a population of just under 5 million. A portion of this population adore the sport, a portion dislike it, a portion simply like it, and a portion are indifferent to it.

When one considers nine teams are competing against each other in this market place (four of which are in Western Sydney: The Eels, Panthers, Bulldogs & Tigers) for the financial support of organisations and will in return provide marketing, brand and value-in-kind opportunities for these organisations, it’s natural for the leaders of these clubs to make statements that position themselves with the most enticing information and data to draw the support of prospective sponsors and corporate partners – after all, their survival and ability to thrive depends on it.

It’s why you’ll hear the spokespeople of the Eels’ rugby league competitors rattle off their own numbers, so as to justify why they are best positioned for the competitive corporate and sponsor dollars this region of Sydney has to offer.

Penrith Panthers Group and Football CEO, Brian Fletcher was quoted as saying: “We have 128,000 members in our group, 98,000 at Panthers. We have 8500 juniors, I don’t know how many they have got. I think you see Oak (Penrith’s major sponsor) in the Telegraph more than any other sponsor. Plus Gus (Phil Gould) is with Channel Nine”.[1]

Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs CEO, Raelene Castle was quoted as saying: “…currently the Bulldogs are the highest-watched team in NSW over the past five years an also have the highest average crowd attendances in NSW”.[2]

A Wests Tigers spokesman was quoted as saying: “We have the fastest growing membership among Western Sydney NRL clubs (2016) and our geographical footprint represents enormous opportunity for a brand that has over 300,000 fans.”[3]

All of these numbers sound great to the average punter. They’ll take them as gospel and absolute truths. Conversations in the coffee rooms of workplaces around the city, online forums and general rugby league chitchat will be directed to these statements, because on the surface they appear to be genuine and true.

Now before I move onto my points, I must preface, I am by no means doubting the validity of any of these claims by our competitor club representatives. In fact I know these statements to be true, but they are only true in a particular narrative and context. Apples are very much being compared with oranges here, as selective marketing spiels are revealed for the sake of positioning each respective club in the best possible light. You cannot blame the representatives of each club for doing this. It’s their job to do so and they all do a damn good job of flying the flag for their club. However, when one investigates this information on a deeper level, a clear winner comes out across each of the true metrics.

Metrics: The Homer Simpson way

The Panthers claim to have 128,000 members in their group, which I wholeheartedly believe to be true. However, when we account for human nature and the reasonably minded individual, one would walk away from this reading and believing, the Panthers have 128,000 members. They would then market themselves to big companies and prospective sponsors as a business that has 128,000 members, of which they are completely within their rights to do so – but how many of these are going to provide value in relation to the rugby league team specifically? This is ultimately what’s being questioned here and what Eels CEO Bernie Gurr made statements in relation to when he made his proclamation about Parramatta. Gurr’s statements were specific to the Eels NRL team and the region. Fletcher’s statement is about the Panthers Group as a whole.

Over 3/4 (98,000) of these members of Panthers. As in Panthers – your world of entertainment – the Leagues Club with many vibrant restaurants, bars and live entertainment. This is an impressive feat no doubt, but how many of these 98,000 specifically identify with the rugby league or as rugby league supporters of the Panthers team? How many of this 98,000 does a sponsor actually have access to when it comes to sponsorship of the rugby league club in itself? A further 8,500 are Panthers juniors – again, an impressive feat – but is a sponsor gaining access to all of these juniors? And do all of these juniors identify themselves as Panthers supporters? I mean surely there are youngsters running around in the competition who support teams other than Penrith? Are they truly hitting and reaching that 8,500? That leaves 21,500 unaccounted for. One must assume that a large number of these are season ticket holders and based off their membership numbers in previous years, it pretty much accounts for all of them, but I can question these numbers for days – not because I believe them to be untrue, they certainly are true, but it’s not accounting for the actual number and data associated to the NRL team.

When NRL teams talk in relation to members (financial ticket and non-ticket holders of the NRL team), this is the metric of which they talk about their reach. They don’t include the number of members of their Leagues Club or juniors as a part of that metric – they are separate and subsidiary businesses respectively. Sure they have a relationship, they co-exist and none can exist without the other, but a Leagues Club is not a professional sporting organisation – it is an entertainment organisation that help funds a sporting organisation. Junior League is not a professional sporting organisation. It has professional administrators who over see it, but it does not operate with the income or level of personnel that a professional sporting organisation does.

Additionally, of that 98,000 and 8,500 respectively, how many of those are doubling up as members of the NRL team? These statistics create the allusion of 128,000 individuals, when it’s highly likely that some secondary spend is at play – e.g. a husband and wife are members of Panthers Leagues. They have two kids who play junior league and the whole family are season ticket holders. Within that 128,000 these people should only make up 4, but if you count all of the secondary spend at play with Panthers memberships and junior league registrations, they can be counted as 8 in this 128,000. That’s double the real number being advertised, and only with an example of four. So it’s easy to see how quickly these numbers, although true, can be taken out of context – however, all that we will take away from that statement upon first hearing it is 128,000 members. Smart marketing from a fantastic administrator, but an actual representation? I’ll let you be the judge.

Panthers Group: 128,000 members strong

Let’s examine the statement made by Bulldogs CEO Raelene Castle. “…currently the Bulldogs are the highest-watched team in NSW over the past five years an also have the highest average crowd attendances in NSW”.

Again, I don’t doubt the validity of these statements, but what is the context in which they are being delivered? Are the Bulldogs the highest watched team in NSW over the past five years on a particular channel or NSW as a whole? Is this comparing viewership against average viewers on a particular channel? Or total views across all channels and all sports? Does it factor in average viewers per game they play in? Or is it a total number across all the games they’ve played in this five year period, (of which would include finals series)? There are so many variables at play with an open-ended statement like this and it’s not a truly comparable metric.

Consider this. The Bulldogs have played in every finals series the last five years. This means that they have played more games in a year than the Eels, who have played in no finals series in this time. Finals viewership is considerably higher than regular season viewership, as naturally, the stakes are higher. Two of these years (2012 & 2014), the Bulldogs played in the NRL Grand Final, an internationally syndicated and broadcasted match. Are the raw viewership numbers of these finals games and the NRL Grand Final being included in this statistic? (Which I assume they are until being proved that they’re not) Because if so, this skews the data significantly in their favour ahead of the other Western Sydney teams who haven’t appeared in any Grand Finals during this period of time. However, all people will take away upon hearing that is the throwaway line: “Bulldogs are the most watched team in NSW” – but realistically, are they being compared against the other NRL teams across the course of the 26 round season?  Are the Bulldogs average free-to-air viewership numbers compared with the Panthers, Tigers and Eels average free-to-air viewership across the regular season? Are the Bulldogs average pay-tv numbers being compared against their competitors across the regular season? These are the questions that must be asked and answered to determine who really comes out on top when these statements are being thrown around.

Highest Viewership Ratings: Easy to claim when you include big events like the Grand Final in your statistics. What about averages though?

Similarly, the same must be said of highest average crowd figures. We are referring to a team that plays out of an 80,000+ seat stadium to those who don’t even play out of 20,000 on a regular basis across this time period? How about the games the Eels and Tigers take to ANZ stadium? Are the average crowd figures from those games being compared with the Bulldogs average crowd figures? If so, then we are comparing apples with apples, but this writer gets the feeling that only raw numbers are being spoken about here, and if that’s the case, a higher capacity stadium will always win out. In 2012 the Eels played 3 home games throughout the regular season at ANZ Stadium with an average crowd of 29,429.67. They finished 16th (last) and did not compete in the finals series. In that same year the Bulldogs played 11 home games at ANZ Stadium and averaged a crowd of 21,962.82. They were minor premiers, finishing first in the regular NRL season and made the NRL Grand Final, going down to eventual premiers, the Melbourne Storm. There is a discrepancy across this average of 7,466.85 in favour of the Eels. This is a much more accurate comparison and this is only across one year.

The Wests Tigers in 2016 averaged 20,394.67 in 3 home games at ANZ Stadium to the Bulldogs in 9 home games at ANZ Stadium averaged 15,622.22. When we’re comparing apples with apples, are the Bulldogs really averaging the highest crowd attendances in Western Sydney?

Let’s delve a little further and compare the Bulldogs average home crowds in this five year period at ANZ Stadium across the regular NRL season. This table will compare the average crowds of Western Sydney NRL teams that play their matches out of ANZ Stadium between 2012-2016.[4]

Year Bulldogs Eels Bulldogs variance against Eels Tigers Bulldogs variance against Tigers
2012 21,962.82 29,429.67 -7,466.85 Did not play Did not play
2013 21,922.67 21,072.5 +850.17 Did not play Did not play
2014 15,541 40,531 -24,990 21,634.67 -6,093.67
2015 22,015.5 26,296 -4,280.5 15, 193 +6,822.5
2016 15,622.22 23,121.5 -7,499.28 20,394.67 -4,772.45
3 YEAR TOTAL (2014-2016) 53,278.72

Average: 17,726.24

89, 948.5

Average: 29,982.8333

-36,669.78

Average: -12,223.26

57, 222.34

Average: 19,074.1133

-4,043.62

Average: -1,347.87333

5 YEAR TOTAL (2012-2016) 97,064.21

Average: 19,412. 842

140,450.67

Average: 28,090.134

– 43,386.46

Average: – 8,677.292

I don’t know about you, but I notice some pretty big discrepancies when we compare apples with apples. Now sure, the Bulldogs have the highest average when you factor in ANZ home finals games into that average. That immediately boosts their numbers, but across a regular season? Both the Eels and Tigers average higher home crowds at ANZ Stadium. This is the only point in time in which the teams can be truly compared.

The Wests Tigers spokesman who was quoted as saying: “We have the fastest growing membership among Western Sydney NRL clubs (2016) and our geographical footprint represents enormous opportunity for a brand that has over 300,000 fans” has used some more specific data in their statement.

The fastest growing membership amongst Western Sydney NRL clubs is an interesting account. The author of the article in which this information was published has edited 2016 into brackets to create context around the statement, as originally, this was not prefaced when the quote was grabbed. No doubt when the Tigers go to market most likely don’t preface this statistic either, which is fine, they’re under no obligation to do so, and when comparing the 2015 NRL membership numbers to 2016, they do show the highest growth percentage wise year-on-year, but that’s only one isolated year. Let’s have a look at the Western Sydney membership numbers growth over a bigger period of time from 2012-2016.

Year Eels Bulldogs Tigers Panthers
2012[5] 11,739 11,498 7,628 3,609
2013[6] 17,203 15,508 11,660 6,143
2014[7] 20,312 16,515 9,853 16,204
2015[8] 22,824 18,240 9,342 19,884
2016 23,302[9] 20,499[10] 14,767[11] 19,122[12]

As we can see from the table above, the membership numbers do in fact show that the Tigers had the fastest growing membership of the Western Sydney Clubs in 2016. However, the also had the lowest number of members across all four Western Sydney NRL clubs. The highest? Our own Eels with 23,302. Now I’ll admit that some of the 2016 membership numbers are not final numbers and we’ll have to wait until the 2016 NRL Annual Report is released to do a true analysis, but based on the information accessible to date, this is the data we must go by.

Since 2012 the Eels have grown 198.5% accumulating 11,563 more members compared to their tally five years earlier. The Tigers on the other hand had grown 193.6%, 4.9% lower than the Eels and have only added 7,139 members to their membership base from five years ago.

Now without the author prefacing that this was in 2016, the Tigers could go to market with the statement “We have the fastest growing membership among Western Sydney NRL clubs” and everyone would take that as a complete truth. They’re not lying when they make this statement, but they’re not providing true context either and aren’t comparing apples with apples. When you compare apples with apples, there is again, a clear winner amongst it all – the Parramatta Eels.

Additionally, the Tigers spokesperson makes reference to “….our geographical footprint represents enormous opportunity for a brand that has over 300,000 fans.”

Over 300,000 fans? I wonder where this number has been plucked from?  Again, I’m not doubting its validity, I’m sure it’s true. I just question the context in which this number has been obtained and with all metrics equal, how this number would measure up against the other three Western Sydney NRL clubs?

Let me now take the opportunity to draw your attention to a report that was conducted by Repucom in 2012. For those of you who don’t know, Repucom is a sport market research company. They were acquired by Nielsen Sports in 2016 and were engaged by the NRL in 2012 to conduct a yearlong study into the supporter base of rugby league in Sydney. A specific part of the report focused on the stronghold of the Sydney region, the Western Sydney NRL teams, and how the fan bases of each NRL team faired in these areas.

The report found that the Western Sydney teams enjoyed the following amount of supporters across the Western Sydney population:

Team Supporters in Western Suburbs of Sydney
Parramatta Eels 308,419
Wests Tigers 216,480
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 166,419
Penrith Panthers 104,181

Now even though this was five years ago, we can see via these numbers, from an agency the NRL officially engaged, that the Eels enjoyed 91,939 (142.5%) MORE supporters across this demographic than their nearest rival, the Wests Tigers. Of course, this report was completed almost half a decade ago and these raw numbers will have changed and I’m not privy to any other reports and research that may have been conducted since this time, but I find it hard to believe that the Tigers grew over 83,520+ more supporters in this period, that they can accurately quantify against their other Western Sydney opponents.

Similarly, I find it hard to believe that the Parramatta Eels, who enjoy the highest raw supporter numbers, regressed or stalled, when the population of all Western Sydney Suburbs increased over this period of time and the club enjoyed a 198.5% growth in membership. Sure, I may not have the raw numbers to quantify this, but all other things considered, it’s a long straw to draw to suggest the Tigers are stronger in this metric than Parramatta is. Not that the Tigers ever claimed to be in the first place, but when you throw the statistic around “fastest growing membership among Western Sydney NRL clubs” which doesn’t preface Y.O.Y percentage growth for one isolated year, followed by the statement “….our geographical footprint represents enormous opportunity for a brand that has over 300,000 fans” it lends itself to the narrative in the reasonable persons mind and those prospective partners and sponsors who are likely hearing these spiels for the first time and not having it measured against other quantifiable data, that the Tigers are the strongest performing Western Sydney NRL team in this metric and as we can see from the collective data above, this is simply not the case. It’s only true in relative terms.

Largest fan base: The Eels are a clear winner in the fan metrics

Now when you consider we are competing against these clubs for the corporate dollar and financial support in this city, and our position as the strongest professional sporting organisation in Western Sydney is being questioned, one can’t help but scratch their heads at some of the statements made by our competitors.

I am by no means having a go at any of our rival Western Sydney sporting teams, after all, this is survival of the fittest. However, as an Eels supporter with this knowledge, I see it only fit to bestow this information onto our wider supporter base and those of prospective corporate partners, that in this competitive market, may not be getting the true Parramatta Eels story that proves us to be the strongest performing professional sporting organisation in Western Sydney when it comes to our reach – which when we talk corporate dollars, is what it ultimately comes down to. If you want a strong, identifiable brand that will give your business presence, then Parramatta is your team.

Have a look at our current online presence compared to the other Western Sydney NRL teams:

Team Facebook Likes Twitter Followers Instagram Followers Total Social Reach
Eels 314,535 52,444 81,829 448,808
Bulldogs 283,502 73,335 93,968 450,805
Panthers 140,836 47,424 48,326 236,586
Tigers 256,709 63,149 60,758 380,616

Now the Bulldogs come out just on top here when we refer to the individual numbers (+1,997), but there’s one statistic missing to round out the total social reach which I simply do not have access to and that’s website hits. If you throw each clubs website hits into the above data, you will ascertain their total digital reach. However, when you consider that 95% of Australian people who use social media use Facebook (over 31% who use Instagram & 19% who use Twitter)[13] Parramatta again come out on top in terms of their social media reach – they’re hitting a larger and wider number of people.

The statistics keep pointing to one NRL team here, and it’s the Parramatta Eels.

But what of the other Western Sydney sporting organisations such as the A-Leagues Western Sydney Wanderers and the AFLs GWS Giants?

Firstly you have two organisations who are only relatively new to the market place Western Sydney Wanderers (est. 2012) and the GWS Giants (est. 2009). They’re competing against rugby league clubs that have been in the region under their associated brands up to 108 years longer than they have respectively – that’s a lot of history to catch up on.

Secondly, the Wanderers are not a threat or competitor to the Eels or rugby league. They’re an ally and an asset. The collective growth of the Eels and Wanderers has leant itself the construction of a new multipurpose stadium for both clubs – it’s a truly remarkable feat that both organisations should be congratulated on for contributing to and proud for accomplishing.

Additionally, the A-League season operates across a different part of the year to the NRL season. We are not competing against one another in the metrics for viewership or membership. There are many Wanderers supporters who are also Eels supporters (as they are also Bulldogs, Tigers, Panthers and supporters of other NRL teams). Their exposure to the wider public eye has very little cross-over. They operate at different times of the year and communicate to different markets.

No one is questioning the feats of the Wanderers, I for one truly respect what they have achieved and agree with what their CEO John Tsatsimas said: “If you compare what we have achieved in under five years with any team in Australia our position stacks up favourably. We have created a strong and sustainable partner category, many of whom have been with us since our inception, our digital growth is astonishing and we have excellent diversity in our demographics, including a massive youth audience”

That being said, the Eels membership numbers from 2016 still outnumber the Wanderers membership numbers for the corresponding season. The Eels stand at 23,302 to the Wanderers 19,528. However when you talk crowd figures the Wanderers in their last season at Pirtek Stadium averaged 14,297.38 across 13 home league games in the 15-16 A-League season. Conversely the Eels during their last season at Pirtek Stadium in 2016 averaged only 12,575.44 in crowd figures.

Trying to compare these statistics and reach is a lost cause. Either side will present a subjective case to why their brand is better and stronger when there’s no real need to. The Eels and Wanderers are not in competition with one another, because it’s apples and oranges. Our co-existence has created a mutually beneficial opportunity for both parties and I for one think it’s fantastic – that is where the discussion and comparison ends as far as I’m concerned.

As for the Giants spokesperson who stated the following: “As the youngest elite level sporting organisation in Western Sydney, the Giants continue to experience unprecedented growth across all key areas”  the Wanderers are the youngest elite level sporting organisation in Western Sydney, they were established 3 years after the Giants. And as for unprecedented growth? Well everything is unprecedented when it happens for the first time – it’s new territory for them and the Giants have every reason to enjoy their success, but there isn’t any data that quantifies them as being ahead of any other sport in the area at this stage (not that they claimed to be).

So as Eels supporters, what do we take away from all of this? From the perspective of potential sponsors and prospective corporate partners the Parramatta Eels make a very definitive case for being the strongest sporting organisation in Western Sydney. As we can see from the above information, when you compare apples with apples and measure the real data contextually against our so called competitors, we come out on top with the things all potential sponsors look for.

So when our CEO Bernie Gurr, very publicly goes to market with the following claims:

  • The largest membership and supporter base in Western Sydney
  • The largest TV reach of any club in Western Sydney
  • The largest online presence of any team in Western Sydney
  • The largest female supporter base in the NRL

You can take them as real truths. After all, he’s only comparing apples with apples.

Clint

All images courtesy of the Parramatta Eels, NRL.com and Getty Images.

 

 

[1] http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/eels/nrl-2017-parramatta-eels-seek-sponsors-and-claim-being-western-sydneys-number-one-club/news-story/59bcb3dcdc7e7f74dddef87ee0d91843

[2] http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/eels/nrl-2017-parramatta-eels-seek-sponsors-and-claim-being-western-sydneys-number-one-club/news-story/59bcb3dcdc7e7f74dddef87ee0d91843

[3] http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/teams/eels/nrl-2017-parramatta-eels-seek-sponsors-and-claim-being-western-sydneys-number-one-club/news-story/59bcb3dcdc7e7f74dddef87ee0d91843

[4] Crowd Figures from http://www.rugbyleagueproject.org/

[5] http://www.theroar.com.au/2013/02/23/nrl-membership-analysis/

[6] http://www.leagueoftitans.com.au/archive/index.php/t-25207.html

[7] https://www.nrl.com/portals/nrl/radeditor/documents/nrl_annual_report_2014b.pdf

[8] https://www.nrl.com/portals/nrl/RadEditor/Documents/2016/NRL%20Annual%20Report_2015.pdf

[9] http://www.parraeels.com.au/news/2016/07/29/eels_members_break_c.html

[10] http://leagueunlimited.com/news/27092-2016-nrl-club-membership-tracker/

[11] http://www.go1.weststigers.com.au/news/2016/12/02/wests_tigers_members.html

[12] http://leagueunlimited.com/news/27092-2016-nrl-club-membership-tracker/

[13] https://www.sensis.com.au/asset/PDFdirectory/Sensis_Social_Media_Report_2016.PDF

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30 thoughts on “Why the Eels actually are the most marketable sporting identity in Western Sydney

  1. Colin Hussey

    Wow! what a read.

    One of the things that I have consistently said over on the 1eyed site is that you cannot take the leagues club membership as indicative of eels supporters, in the same way when it comes to the football side of things I would say the same could apply. I don’t look at outside stats in some of these areas but the thing to me is how many of the members of the EELs are actually members of the Leagues club and visa versa?

    The vast majority of Leagues club members are there for the social side of things, and gets them into other recipricated clubs across the country, same with all Leagues clubs. Those who are EELS members may in many cases not be members of the Club either as I doubt there is any benefit for them unless they are handy to both locations.

    When I lived in Sydney and the two clubs had seperate but attached membership I kept that gong for 40 odd years, and means nothing in the real terms these days, even the new concepts being pushed by the club to get members is lost on me and how many others?

    As for the other clubs, I doubt if they would be any different to us, and the likes of the dogs, are trying to attract a lot of supporters who are from ethicity opposed RL supporters and more so towards soccer, but with the competitions not in competing mods season wise they likely pick up many of those.

    Wests Tigers are still really establishing their brand, as many old wests and tigers supporters do not really relate to them but, the future is changing and they are in the marketing arena of all but starting from scratch.

    Penrith in a sense are the Western Gap club, a concept that typified the old boundaries and suburbs that once you passed Blacktown you were in a sort of no mans land and almost no support base until you got to KIngswood.

    The almost constant rezoning of the RL boundaries has also created a degree of supporter alienation as all of a sudden players in an area rather than being in X club system and where their hearts were/are are suddenly finding they are in another clubs area. The push by the current NRL in regards to the NYC comp will not help membership in any area.

    With those boundary changes, while the eels have lost territory the overall supporter base remains strong, and dare I even make the point outside of the RL side of things that Parramatta district aside, the move in the promotion of the City of Parramatta and the centre of Sydney itself is reason enough for the EELS brand to be the most marketable out of the others.

    Parramatta and the eels are linked and the stronger each become makes the link and dare I suggest commercial marriage the most marketable of all.

    1. Clint Post author

      Col I always love to see your comments! Always well thought out and articulated.

      As you said, it’s a very important distinction to make between Leagues Club members and members of particular NRL teams.

      A Leagues Club member is likely a member of a club due to their social interests in eating and live entertainment. They sign up to a particular club usually because of proximity and/or regular attendance.

      An NRL team member is exclusively associated with the rugby league club and identifying themselves as a supporter of the the team.

      Very important distinctions to make. Otherwise we’d chuck all the extra Leagues Club members onto our numbers when talking about our reach, as well as our Junior League Clubs and all the areas/demographics they reach. The Tigers could chuck on Wests Ashfield to their numbers which would significantly boost their metrics too. It becomes way too convoluted and it’s information that can be easily lost and misinterpreted by the every day reader, let alone potential sponsors.

      As always, thank you for stopping by.

  2. sixties

    I need to write a public congratulations to Clint for this post. When we discussed the topic, Clint threw some statistics at me and I encouraged him to write something up. Although I have a very high opinion of Clint’s skills as an author, this post has left me stunned – particularly the depth of data research and analysis. I’m proud to be associated with your work mate. Your best yet and I think you’ve only just started dipping your toe in the water. I hope that Parramatta refer readers to this post.

    1. Clint Post author

      Sixities you completely humble me with your words. I can very much take us further down the rabbit hole and show us all what Wonderland really looks like. I must warn readers though: If you’re not an Eels supporter, you may not like the statistics.

  3. Bubbles

    Absolutely brilliant ,intelligent articles like this are what makes this the no1 eels supporters site, just a footnote clint , the amount of high rise apartments going up in the cbd will bring countless potential followers within walking distance of the new stadium , new outdoor complex ,and leagues club not to mention the intended light rail stop at alfred park , a new professional board ,a top notch ceo and a top coach and a team about reach for the heights ,not to hard a sell in my books,anyway congratulations on a brilliant article

    1. Clint Post author

      Thank you so much for your very kind words towards the Throw Bubbles. We all work hard to bring you objective information about the Club we love.

      It took everything I had not to digress onto those statistics Bubbles. When I drew up the framework of including that information into the article originally it was very much included, however had I not cut it, this article would have turned into a thesis instead! Regardless still you make brilliant points. It won’t be too long before Parramatta will become the official CBD of Sydney. Way too much of the census and government research that has already been conducted is pointing it in this direction.

      With the population growth set to skyrocket over the next 20 years after the new infrastructure starts to take shape, Parramatta will be one very happening place. If you’re an Eels supporter, this is only brilliant news – some incredibly exciting times ahead for the continuing development of our club!

  4. 1Day

    Great article Clint. It confirms the strength of the Eels brand and indeed NRL in the western suburbs, the four NRL clubs researched have healthy membership growth and social media reach. Sometimes the click bait media headlines obscures the passion and importance of NRL/sport to our social fabric.

    1. Clint Post author

      Thanks 1Day and an absolutely great point you make. All four sides have good numbers and all continue to grow. I’m excited to see what this will look like in the next twenty years. I think we’ll start to see Sydney clubs pushing some really big numbers over the next decade or two, particularly once Western Sydney’s infrastructure has come to life.

  5. DK Eel

    Your articles are ALWAYS well constructed , researched, insightful and thought provoking, but this one has taken what I know you can produce to a whole new level.

    This is a standard of article that you have produced here, is right up there that any of the most respected publications, either print media or online like ours would expect.

    Period.

    I am super proud to say that I know you.

    In fact, never been prouder to not only know you, but to be a part of TCT.

    Well done!

    1. Clint Post author

      And as always DK, you humble me greatly! I’m highly passionate about the NRL and our club in particular being the best it can be, but it can only happen when we talk about it in real terms. Rather than force a particular viewpoint onto anyone, I think it’s only helpful if we challenge things in an obliging objective manner.

      If rugby league wants to be the best sport and the Eels the best club, we have to acknowledge where we currently stand in order to grow, both in areas of strength and areas of development.

      Personally, I am so excited to see where these numbers will go in the future, particularly the next ten years within the Parramatta CBD. We are in prime position to take advantage of new infrastructure and urban growth. I have quite a few strategies in mind if I was charged with developing the blue and gold supporter of tomorrow.

  6. Mitchy

    Superb work Clint, and I am sure parra would like these stats and your services at some point. This is surely another reason Bernie feels the need to wait for the right sponsor.
    By the way, i used to live in Hawkesbury and my local club was owned by panthers, and i am a member, so i am included in these stats, even though i follow parra, live on central coast…..superb read and ill be reading this one again.

    1. Clint Post author

      If they were willing to engage me Mitchy, I’d be willing to help, I’m only a phone call away.

      100% why Bernie feels the need to wait for the right sponsor. We have tremendous reach and leverage within our marketplace. The developments taking place around Parramatta CBD (and over the next 5-10 years) will lend itself to some very high end corporates calling Parramatta home. Believe it or not, we are more or less in a position to be picky with a major sponsor. That position will only strengthen if we are successful on the field.

      Absolutely you would have been included in these numbers. With clubs at Bathurst, Glenbrook, North Richmond, Port Macquarie, Wallacia and of course Penrith, the Panthers Group has a lot of reach!

  7. Trouser Eel

    Hey Clint, can I rent you to come drinking with some of my mate’s that are Bulldogs fans? They’ll start their usual drivel and I’ll just turn to you and say “tell them Clint.”
    If only I could remember all that info.
    It’s a really interesting piece ( not that the others haven’t been – I still love your work Sixties)
    I can’t wait to see who the club settles with as major sponsor. Based on your article, it must be worth a bomb.

    1. Clint Post author

      Haha, sure Trouser Eel. Who doesn’t enjoy good banter with a Bulldogs supporter? The club certainly won’t take any old offer, Bernie will get the right fit for us.

  8. Jack

    Clint, I’m going to articulate this as clearly as I can… You are the man! Incredible read mate! Facts figures and the cold hard truth. Love your work! I can not praise the article enough.

    Well done!

    1. Clint Post author

      Very nice of you to say Jack, appreciate the comment very much. We’ve gotta keep them honest, right?

    1. Clint Post author

      Pou, you flatter me! Always love hearing from you. On the subject of articles, very much enjoyed your write up on league unlimited. Very balanced piece, you know your rugby league very well!

    1. Clint Post author

      Incredibly nice words from a man who has spent his life penning words for a living. To receive that kind of praise from a journalist is very touching. I’m glad you enjoyed it Pete.

  9. Jason

    Hi Clint, firstly hello its been a long time, have missed our annual chats when renewing my membership 🙂
    When speaking with Sixties yesterday he asked me if I had read your post to which I said no but would do so when I got home and well I am so glad I did! Not for anything else, it just proves that if you are prepared to do the right research and dedicate the time that the real story can be told rather than what we get fed in the media these days. It was refreshing to read something with substance and was well thought out. I really encourage Bernie and the Eels to post this on their website as it deserves to be spread far and wide. Even Greenberg could learn a thing or two about how important the Eels are to the NRL! Great read and look forward to reading more quality posts from all the team at TCT.
    Have a great Sunday everyone!

    1. Clint Post author

      Jason, it is so great to hear from you! I feel like it has been a dogs age since I saw you last! How have you been?

      We should always seek objectivity when trying to understand where we really are in any metric that concerns the Eels, on and off the field.

      If anyone from the club wanted to share it through their communication channels, they’re more than welcome to do so (although given their position as a professional sporting body I’d assume that they’d probably want to remain neutral on these type of points).

      1. Jason

        All is well at my end thanks mate, was wrapped to hear you were part of the TCT team. Would love to arrange a catch-up, perhaps we can sort something with Sixties, Forty20 and whoever else wants to join! Great blog once again and look forward to reading more in the future.

  10. Rowdy

    What can say? Excellent work Clint, thank you it is refreshing to have the data analysed in such a comprehensive manner.

    Needless to say it puts paid to the nay sayer who might only desire to push their own barrow.

    I look forward to your further contributions to what is undoubtedly the preeminent Footy site in Australia.

    1. Clint Post author

      Thanks Rowdy, I certainly burnt the midnight oil on this one ensuring it was appropriately sourced to what I had access to.

      Very happy to hear your opinions of the site. TCT team is committed to providing Eels supporters with the best information they can!

  11. parrathruandthru

    Wow. Another reason why this site has quickly become No 1 and first stop for all things Eels. Brilliant read. Great to see intelligent thought out comments backed up with facts not conjecture. Stunning

  12. Trapped in the 1970's

    Clint, that was a fantastic informative, knowledgeable post. The depth of detail you provided is just amazing. I concur with parrathruandthru, Your time commitment in sharing that information is really appreciated. Keep them coming!

  13. Peter

    That was a brilliant interview. Thank you for giving us supporters an inside into the runnings of the club.

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