New fans / the world cup effect

[Yorky]

Firstly, hello forum! 1st post, so go easy on me!

I'm writing this as a relatively new fan to the sport and partially in response to various threads questioning the state of the game and the attractiveness of the game (or not) to new fans / casual sports fans.

Although I can see the game is not in a great state currently, and the demise of a London & Newcastle this week is sad to see, I really think you have a cracking,quick,enjoyable and competitive sport which is prime for growth if pushed correctly. Has the game taken advantage of the big moments in the sport like the world cup? and I wonder what positive impact it could have to the casual / general sports fan (which I class myself as) that is often talked about on here as one of the big target markets.

To put myself as the example, this time last year other than see the occasional highlight on sky sports news my only knowledge of RL was watching a couple of Rhinos games whilst at Uni there almost 20 years ago. To experience the occasion, I got tickets to the WC final and watched the tournament,by the time the final came around I was hooked.

But since then I've had a steady stream of emails and ads in social media feeds especially for challenge cup / GF ticket's keeping me informed and interested and as importantly for luring in a casual sports fans - affordable ticket prices , something you can't say too often for the football,boxing & cricket matches I go to.

We will be going to the grand final tomorrow and really looking forward to it, I've followed the superleague closely this year all off the back of the world cup.....I cant be the only one!

I don't think the promotion of the sport is as bad as some say, but I think what it really needs to grow it most of all is a weekly terrestrial TV game. I've enjoyed the C4 coverage, but it isn't frequent enough. A weekly match would keep people engaged enough to grow the support baae

Enjoy tomorrow everyone

[Bamboozle]

4 hours ago, Yorky said:

Firstly, hello forum! 1st post, so go easy on me!

I'm writing this as a relatively new fan to the sport and partially in response to various threads questioning the state of the game and the attractiveness of the game (or not) to new fans / casual sports fans.

Although I can see the game is not in a great state currently, and the demise of a London & Newcastle this week is sad to see, I really think you have a cracking,quick,enjoyable and competitive sport which is prime for growth if pushed correctly. Has the game taken advantage of the big moments in the sport like the world cup? and I wonder what positive impact it could have to the casual / general sports fan (which I class myself as) that is often talked about on here as one of the big target markets.

To put myself as the example, this time last year other than see the occasional highlight on sky sports news my only knowledge of RL was watching a couple of Rhinos games whilst at Uni there almost 20 years ago. To experience the occasion, I got tickets to the WC final and watched the tournament,by the time the final came around I was hooked.

But since then I've had a steady stream of emails and ads in social media feeds especially for challenge cup / GF ticket's keeping me informed and interested and as importantly for luring in a casual sports fans - affordable ticket prices , something you can't say too often for the football,boxing & cricket matches I go to.

We will be going to the grand final tomorrow and really looking forward to it, I've followed the superleague closely this year all off the back of the world cup.....I cant be the only one!

I don't think the promotion of the sport is as bad as some say, but I think what it really needs to grow it most of all is a weekly terrestrial TV game. I've enjoyed the C4 coverage, but it isn't frequent enough. A weekly match would keep people engaged enough to grow the support baae

Enjoy tomorrow everyone

Hello and welcome to the forum and the game of RL, Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of emotions as a fan of the game.

I agree with you that there needs to be a weekly game shown live on C4.

May I ask who’s your team and where are you from in UK?

 

[Bamboozle]

Knowing the game of RL I wouldn’t be surprised to see an absolute classic this evening played before 60k to pull you back into the game after all the bad news surrounding expansion within the sport of the last few weeks.

[Damien]

@Yorky Thanks for your post and views.

I think you are quite right and the sport certainly hasn't taken advantage of big moments in the sport. They are key in attracting new fans of the sport and the sport has consistently shown an adject failure to capitalise to any meaningful degree on any increased interest.

It's like the RLWC2021 never happened after record coverage. RLWC2013 with the England v NZ semi final, which was a great event and really cut through to non RL fans wasn't capitalised on. We haven't even played an international at Wembley since. Even going as far back to the 1995 World Cup which raised national awareness. Then there have been various great crowds in London for internationals that we have now just completely forgot about.

There is just never any joined up strategy or long term growth plan to build on any key moments so that they aren't just a one off.

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

8 hours ago, Yorky said:

Firstly, hello forum! 1st post, so go easy on me!

I'm writing this as a relatively new fan to the sport and partially in response to various threads questioning the state of the game and the attractiveness of the game (or not) to new fans / casual sports fans.

Although I can see the game is not in a great state currently, and the demise of a London & Newcastle this week is sad to see, I really think you have a cracking,quick,enjoyable and competitive sport which is prime for growth if pushed correctly. Has the game taken advantage of the big moments in the sport like the world cup? and I wonder what positive impact it could have to the casual / general sports fan (which I class myself as) that is often talked about on here as one of the big target markets.

To put myself as the example, this time last year other than see the occasional highlight on sky sports news my only knowledge of RL was watching a couple of Rhinos games whilst at Uni there almost 20 years ago. To experience the occasion, I got tickets to the WC final and watched the tournament,by the time the final came around I was hooked.

But since then I've had a steady stream of emails and ads in social media feeds especially for challenge cup / GF ticket's keeping me informed and interested and as importantly for luring in a casual sports fans - affordable ticket prices , something you can't say too often for the football,boxing & cricket matches I go to.

We will be going to the grand final tomorrow and really looking forward to it, I've followed the superleague closely this year all off the back of the world cup.....I cant be the only one!

I don't think the promotion of the sport is as bad as some say, but I think what it really needs to grow it most of all is a weekly terrestrial TV game. I've enjoyed the C4 coverage, but it isn't frequent enough. A weekly match would keep people engaged enough to grow the support baae

Enjoy tomorrow everyone

Yorky you seem like an enthusiastic and positive person 

You have no place here or in RL. Run while you still can

[JM2010]

Welcome to the forum and to RL. Hopefully tonight’s game should be a good one for you. Have you got yourself a team to support yet or are you remaining neutral?

You make some good points and it’s good to hear from someone who hasn’t grown up with RL but has been attracted by the game itself.

More exposure of RL is the best marketing tool the game has. More internationals, more terrestrial coverage and playing games outside the heartlands, both international and ‘on the road’ domestic fixtures backed up by development and promotion could attract many new fans like yourself 

Edited October 14, 2023 by JM2010

[Dovster]

Welcome to the forum.

It's nice to hear from a fresh perspective.

You will find though that many on the forum do come across as negative and self centred. Looking back through rose tinted glasses to a much better time.

I hope that doesn't put you off as it is best to know now. Others are more balanced and make some really good points.

It is important for the game to attract new fans and it's nice to see this happening.

 

  

[Bedfordshire Bronco]

3 hours ago, Dovster said:

You will find though that many on the forum do come across as negative and self centred. Looking back through rose tinted glasses to a much better time.

The forum never used to be like that

It was positive and enthusiastic with a much better atmosphere 

This all used to be fields 

[StandOffHalf]

Welcome Yorky! Nice to hear that the WC drew you in to the sport.

[Sports Prophet]

23 hours ago, Yorky said:

Firstly, hello forum! 1st post, so go easy on me!

 

What a stupid name!

 

[Sports Prophet]

23 hours ago, Yorky said:

Firstly, hello forum! 1st post, so go easy on me!

I'm writing this as a relatively new fan to the sport and partially in response to various threads questioning the state of the game and the attractiveness of the game (or not) to new fans / casual sports fans.

Although I can see the game is not in a great state currently, and the demise of a London & Newcastle this week is sad to see, I really think you have a cracking,quick,enjoyable and competitive sport which is prime for growth if pushed correctly. Has the game taken advantage of the big moments in the sport like the world cup? and I wonder what positive impact it could have to the casual / general sports fan (which I class myself as) that is often talked about on here as one of the big target markets.

To put myself as the example, this time last year other than see the occasional highlight on sky sports news my only knowledge of RL was watching a couple of Rhinos games whilst at Uni there almost 20 years ago. To experience the occasion, I got tickets to the WC final and watched the tournament,by the time the final came around I was hooked.

But since then I've had a steady stream of emails and ads in social media feeds especially for challenge cup / GF ticket's keeping me informed and interested and as importantly for luring in a casual sports fans - affordable ticket prices , something you can't say too often for the football,boxing & cricket matches I go to.

We will be going to the grand final tomorrow and really looking forward to it, I've followed the superleague closely this year all off the back of the world cup.....I cant be the only one!

I don't think the promotion of the sport is as bad as some say, but I think what it really needs to grow it most of all is a weekly terrestrial TV game. I've enjoyed the C4 coverage, but it isn't frequent enough. A weekly match would keep people engaged enough to grow the support baae

Enjoy tomorrow everyone

Just kidding Yorky. Great to have you on board. Hope you enjoyed a tough game last night. A GF is always a great occasion.

Enjoy your time watching RL, hope you get to many more game.

[Gomersall]

Just be wary of the colonials on the forum Yorky. They sometimes have ideas above their station.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just joking.

[Damien]

4 hours ago, Gomersall said:

Just be wary of the colonials on the forum Yorky. They sometimes have ideas above their station.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Just joking.

Sometimes?

 

 

Just joking.

[Yorky]

On 14/10/2023 at 04:22, Bamboozle said:

Hello and welcome to the forum and the game of RL, Prepare yourself for a rollercoaster of emotions as a fan of the game.

I agree with you that there needs to be a weekly game shown live on C4.

May I ask who’s your team and where are you from in UK?

 

I'm following Leeds Rhinos,partly due to that I'm Yorkshire born plus went to Uni in Leeds and watched them a couple of times then.

Spent most of my life in the Midlands and currently living in Leicester. I've seen there's a team called Midlands Hurricanes based in Birmingham,so that's my closest team - think the i will try to get to one of there games next season 

[fighting irish]

9 hours ago, Yorky said:

I'm following Leeds Rhinos,partly due to that I'm Yorkshire born plus went to Uni in Leeds and watched them a couple of times then.

Spent most of my life in the Midlands and currently living in Leicester. I've seen there's a team called Midlands Hurricanes based in Birmingham,so that's my closest team - think the i will try to get to one of there games next season 

Welcome to the forum and to the game. I hope you continue to enjoy the game, as much as I have for the last 50 years. 

[Bamboozle]

9 hours ago, Yorky said:

I'm following Leeds Rhinos,partly due to that I'm Yorkshire born plus went to Uni in Leeds and watched them a couple of times then.

Spent most of my life in the Midlands and currently living in Leicester. I've seen there's a team called Midlands Hurricanes based in Birmingham,so that's my closest team - think the i will try to get to one of there games next season 

Good stuff.

like I said being a fan of RL is like one big rollercoaster ride of emotions.

[gogledd]

On 16/10/2023 at 08:00, Yorky said:

I'm following Leeds Rhinos,partly due to that I'm Yorkshire born plus went to Uni in Leeds and watched them a couple of times then.

Spent most of my life in the Midlands and currently living in Leicester. I've seen there's a team called Midlands Hurricanes based in Birmingham,so that's my closest team - think the i will try to get to one of there games next season 

Hi Yorky. Always nice to welcome new people to rugby league. You'll be makde very welcome in Midlands Hurricanes, some great people there and a smashing set up at the Alexandra Stadium. Look out for the North Wales Crusaders game; when we come to visit and come over and say hello; we're noisy, passionate but love rugby league as a whole and really enjoy visiting our friends in League 1.