Access to Team News

There's been quite a bit of debate on here lately regarding the vision and images provided by the club during the pre-season. This was also a topic of discussion at the recent members' forum and a subject in which the club and media department are interested in gauging fan responses.As a preface to this, it's important to cover a bit of background information. The media department do their research on the type of fan engagement that proves popular in other clubs, in other codes and in other countries. The aim is to enhance the fan experience, not to alienate fans or to subject the players to ridicule. This is where the balancing act comes in.Firstly, extended access to the players as they train has to be ticked off on by Brad Arthur. As a bloke who grew up as a Parra fan and a junior rep and lower grade player for our club, he is passionate about being successful for our fans. But make no mistake - his first priority is to his team and if something becomes detrimental to them he won't let it happen.This year the media department wanted to provide additional access to the team for the fan base. A demand had been identified. In fact, some at the members forum were saying that the club needed to step up the behind the scenes news on the players. So, the video footage was added to the content this year.This involved negotiations between the football department and the media department. This is a constant process throughout the year as you can probably imagine.Be aware, that the media team is very conscious of over-saturation. They won't build up too much now and have nowhere new to go as we get towards season launch. This is something new in what they are including so they will monitor how the fans respond to the vision. There will be no point in providing something that the fans aren't interested in. Likewise, BA will get feedback on how the additional access is received by the fans.How would they do this? My thoughts would be social media, clicks and member feedback through Members Council and other member events. So, as the premier Eels website, there is little doubt that the comments here about the footage are noted.Essentially, I am of the opinion that feedback like that on this site can influence what we get to see. If the majority appreciate it and feed this back, you will be likely to have such content continue. If you have suggestions for improvement, I'm sure it will be read. Likewise, if the majority response is one of ridicule or cynicism, then you are also likely to influence what is provided.Personally, I find a weekly 2 to 3 minute clip highlighting the teams' range of work to be quite informative. I much prefer watching skills or combinations based work as it is far more interesting, so to compact vision of their fitness preparation into 3 minutes a week is ideal.As for some of the feedback here, I do find comments that draw inferences to Nazi propaganda or people not having a life to be offensive. We all make the choice to come to this site and spend a proportion of our life in an "on line" community. Sure, there are plenty of non football blogs and friends that people enjoy engaging with, but the majority of the content here is Parramatta. If we all weren't passionate in our own way about the club we support, it's unlikely that we would be contributors to a Parramatta fan site.We choose to read the blogs that we do, to comment as we do, to spend the amount of time on a Parramatta site as we do.In this instance, we are being provided with access to vision or information about our team that none of us can provide for each other on this Parramatta fan site. I hope that it continues. I also hope that my intelligence or life is not called into question for appreciating this access, given that I regard this website as a place that I can come to get news about my club.

I'm all for it here and there. This past week has been way over the top as far as media coverage of the team running dunes, running more dunes, catching a bus, training on the paddock parts 1, 2 and 3 and so on.

If it comes to checking out what other teams are doing and is proving successful, check out Manly for example. Very little coverage of every move they make with a few training snaps when coaching staff have agreed. they keep their cards close to their chest but you know they are training hard. They have been one of the most successful teams in recent history and are a no frills, tough footy team.

I wish the eels were a bit more like this - no bullshitt, over the top media coverage and exposure of the players every move it seems lately?

Now, I can understand the young fans want of anything social media but the clubs don't just centre around young fans and shouldn't. I also understand that it's a fine line between not enough info and too much.

I've made my opinion well known regarding this in the past few days and I totally disagree with the amount of pics, vids etc are being released. Can't stand it. Yes, yes I can simply not look at them or watch them...and haven't, but the fact the club I have supported for over thirty years thinks this is what the majority want and what the average fan represents, is a real shame.

sixties and friends like as much coverage as possible and that's cool too, but I'd much prefer a little intrigue, less coverage but knowing they are breaking their balls. I'm sure a great deal of this is so we don't forget who our team is in the off season months, particularly young fans.

When January arrives and the team is taking shape, I love nothing more than the latest training news and a few snaps to see what combos are developing etc. but the boys just training, running up and down dunes today, the next day, grunting and sweating in their newly acquired training bras just isn't my thing.

Maybe it's yours?

Not that there is anything wrong with that...

"If he had serious Premiership aspirations I'd suggest he'd take less and stay with the dogs.If your talking securing your future I'd be taking those endless Perth millions and quick smart.Get Perth to relocate his family and away he goes for the…"

Replies

sixtiesboy November 29, 2015 at 8:46am

I'm confused too mate. But what baffles me more are comments that ridicule fans or the club for providing it. Isn't it better to have a choice or an opportunity to check it out rather than on opportunity at all?
The fact is that the training has a 2 week hiatus over Christmas so there won't be much provided then.
The Offside Eel November 29, 2015 at 8:53am

I like it it provides a good insight into what the boys go through each week. As well gets me excited to gor the season to start
RIDER November 29, 2015 at 8:54am

I enjoy looking at what they are up to also. When I've had enough I'll simply stop opening those blogs, but I won't expect it to stop just because I'm over it.

It's not really that difficult.
GRUNTA - Death of a Salesman November 29, 2015 at 8:57am

I'm all for it here and there. This past week has been way over the top as far as media coverage of the team running dunes, running more dunes, catching a bus, training on the paddock parts 1, 2 and 3 and so on.

If it comes to checking out what other teams are doing and is proving successful, check out Manly for example. Very little coverage of every move they make with a few training snaps when coaching staff have agreed. they keep their cards close to their chest but you know they are training hard. They have been one of the most successful teams in recent history and are a no frills, tough footy team.

I wish the eels were a bit more like this - no bullshitt, over the top media coverage and exposure of the players every move it seems lately?

Now, I can understand the young fans want of anything social media but the clubs don't just centre around young fans and shouldn't. I also understand that it's a fine line between not enough info and too much.

I've made my opinion well known regarding this in the past few days and I totally disagree with the amount of pics, vids etc are being released. Can't stand it. Yes, yes I can simply not look at them or watch them...and haven't, but the fact the club I have supported for over thirty years thinks this is what the majority want and what the average fan represents, is a real shame.

sixties and friends like as much coverage as possible and that's cool too, but I'd much prefer a little intrigue, less coverage but knowing they are breaking their balls. I'm sure a great deal of this is so we don't forget who our team is in the off season months, particularly young fans.

When January arrives and the team is taking shape, I love nothing more than the latest training news and a few snaps to see what combos are developing etc. but the boys just training, running up and down dunes today, the next day, grunting and sweating in their newly acquired training bras just isn't my thing.

Maybe it's yours?

Not that there is anything wrong with that...
- Rise of an empire > GRUNTA - Death of a Salesman November 29, 2015 at 9:55am
  
  Maybe they are right & the majority of the fans do want to see it. I am sure their marketing department has more of an idea than yourself, in saying that your entitled to your opinion
- Glenn Lifetime Eel > GRUNTA - Death of a Salesman November 29, 2015 at 11:37am
  
  Well Grunta this blog will act as the forum to tell you what the fans think of the PR. I think you will find the majority of fans of all ages will like what the PR department provides.
  
  I also have no idea where you go your opinion "but the fact the club I have supported for over thirty years thinks this is what the majority want and what the average fan represents" from. Apparently you must have conducted a poll of the members to come up with your opinion?
GRUNTA - Death of a Salesman November 29, 2015 at 9:06am

Do they?

Phew. See yas after Christmas!

;)
Hell On Eels November 29, 2015 at 9:28am

I watch the training videos and think they're a great idea, giving great insight we previously didn't see. Hopefully they continue.

Sixties, I read most of your blogs and also use this site as a source of information, even if I'm not replying often. Your blogs are mature, informative, intelligently written & clearly demonstrate a genuine love you have for the club and thats a testimant to you. They also are legible (can't say that about all blogs) !

Re people who question your life or intelligence, I think you're intelligent enough to understand why some people need to bully or belittle. Knee jerk reactions to their own internal issues, which that they themselves may not be aware of & may or may not ever be. Not much you can do about that buddy. Treat it as an entertaining drama which adds a bit of spice.
GRUNTA - Death of a Salesman November 29, 2015 at 9:33am

Read my post again champ.
GRUNTA - Death of a Salesman November 29, 2015 at 9:35am

I'll chose my own path mate, not follow you down yours.
Now, back to waiting for the next bloke pics for you wad. Maybe the next one will be a home (o) video if you're lucky?

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