This is the reason why ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys wants to build four ‘mini-Bankwest’ stadiums across Sydney.
The Parramatta Eels have surged past South Sydney to top the NRL’s membership ladder in a significant power shift west.
And why? Because their supporters have the best facilities in the game.
The Eels have hit their highest ever pre-Christmas total of 26,021 members, which comes as they signed off on a series of new commercial sponsorships.
It all comes from their wonderful home ground.
Eels fans have also been buoyed by a club resurgence and the hope they can break a 35-year premiership doubt.
The Eels’ membership count is more than 1000 clear of the Rabbitohs’ 24,980, who have been top of the charts for more than a decade.
It’s been a big off-season for the Eels, who were allocated 15 free-to-air games in the 2021 draw — the second-most behind traditional Channel 9 favourites Brisbane. They also signed an NRL-first apparel deal with global sportswear giant Macron.
The five-year, six-figure agreement puts the Eels under the same umbrella as Italian Serie A sides Lazio and Bologna, French side Nantes and the Scottish and Italian rugby teams.
“Our club has secured a long-term partnership with one of the strongest sportswear companies in the world in Macron and we are also welcoming one of the fastest growing financial services companies in Australia in Lending Association,” Eels chief executive Jim Sarantinos said.
“Alongside the renewal of one of our major partners in Actron and some exciting partnership announcements to come, our club is ready to build on our commercial growth even further in 2021.”
To celebrate, the Eels have unveiled a mural (left) in Parramatta’s Centenary Square, featuring captain Clint Gutherson, Mitch Moses and Junior Paulo. Designed by well-known artist Jeswri, the mural will become a fixture of the Eels’ game day in 2021, before finding a permanent home somewhere in Parramatta.
Replies
But but but we have to sack BA! Just because we finished third, had more Rep players than we have had in years and now have the highest number of members it's not good enough!
LOL!! Cure baldness as well Mick.
How dumb r u? Do u think if we weren't successful we would be getting so mad new members and free to air games? Honestly u r a miserable dope.
Well there we have it I am sensitive and u r a dope.
1 spoon
You said 3 spoons last week!
You truly are a failed abortion!
Indeed it would
The club has been laser focussed on memberships for the past 5 or 6 seasons. They've set ambitious targets and now they're starting to achieve them. Overtaking Souths was always a goal for the club.
Eels membership Dept is not perfect. They make mistakes and every year there are issues around member packs, season ticket allocations etc. However, compared to other NRL clubs, the Eels are an absolute standout. They keep the membership extremely well informed, constantly engaged and use digital platforms well. Congratulations to everyone involved in this.
Now, we just need a team to go all the way.
Agreed on this Mutt, and the Members council has a fair role to play with this too. The club is very keen for such feedback and ideas.
Saying our home ground is the reason we have huge membership numbers is a misnomer. Our memberships have been growing for the past decade. They grew when we played out at ANZ. Our membership numbers are growing due to our membership team, on-field performance and to some extent the stadium. But a new stadium does not guarantee continuously growing membership numbers.
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