How many members do NRL clubs have???

Question

The AFL have announced the club membership total this year is 540,000!! So 1 in 40 Aussies have an AFL membership, what would the NRL ratio be 1 in 1000!!! The NRL club officials must be green with envy when they see those sort of figures, considering the average adult membership is about $140 and kids about $30 it's big bikkies, why are NRL fans, particularly sydneysiders so reluctant to support there teams??

Answer 1

I agree that NRL memberships are well down when compared to AFL. But before you get stuck into the NRL, have a look at the history involved. The AFL (and before that the VFL) have always pushed club membership as a way of life. This was how clubs got their finances to play the game.

In NSW, rugby league was supported by leagues clubs which were in turn supported by the fans. This was their version of club membership. Over the past few years, NSW leagues clubs have run into problems affecting their contributions to their teams. The state government has increased taxation on poker machines which has caused a reduction in grants to the football teams together with new anti smoking laws which have also affected club revenue.

NRL clubs are now following their AFL counterparts in promoting club membership as another means of income stream.

Answer 2

AFL membership is a tradition

NRL membership has only been thoroughly introduced recently.

Answer 3

not sure,but if matt rogers has any influence there would be more. just read his article at the wwos site. i think he has it right scrap the arl and have 1 governing body,lower ticket prices and start a loyalty program for players plus a few more ideas he had. if the league bosses took more notice of players and fans the comp would be bigger and better.