On the Parramatta Eels website it claims that the trial in Alice draw a crowd of 2,405. Is this correct? I keep reading about the incredible support we are receiving from schools, junior rugby leagues clubs, community and business groups. I would have thought the sports loving NT community would get behind the eels or at the very least taken the opportunity to see some live NRL action.
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Half of the population of NT is a pretty good result.
This game goes far, far deeper than the crowd numbers we receive for it.
This is an untapped market as far as the NRL goes and the Eels are the first club to capitalise on that. As has been said in other posts so far in the thread, the NT and Alice Springs are largely AFL towns.
So breaking down that barrier is no easy feat and rugby league is not a sport that many in the area have been exposed to over a sustained period of time.
But with enough persistence, patience, work-ethic from all involved and a determination to form a long-standing partnership, then we as a club can make inroads into the NT community and the Alice Springs community.
The club conducted numerous clinics at schools to talk to kids about rugby league and the opportunities it can present. They've spoken with junior rugby league clubs in the area at potentially forming partnerships of some kind to help discover the next big NT talent in rugby league.
They have numerous strong working relationships with community and business groups both in Alice Springs & Darwin and more importantly than that, the club has a very strong relationship with the NT Government, who are keen as mustard to keep this ongoing partnership for as long as possible.
In some respects, you could say that the endeavour is short-term pain for long-term gain. It'll pay dividends in the long-run.
I think it's a fantastic initiative - 2405 as a percentage of the population is an awesome turn out. I reckon the clubs ongoing efforts in NT are something we should be proud of. I hope it continues for many years.
Locally we put more into RL development than any other Sydney club as well.
Jeez, The Parramatta Eels are a pretty fine member of the NRL community I reckon - funny about that :)
Yep, I hope this partnership is extended after this year. - For the Eels supporters that go to either of the games, they are getting a holiday, watching their beloved Eels & spreading the word. - How many other clubs are doing this?? - I would much rather lose 1 home game a year to Darwin, than play the Bulldogs at their home ground & gift them another home game
Pretty sure we will still be playing our home games against the bulldogs at ANZ as well as taking the game to darwin.
I say keep it going its great that the eels are the only team up there, we might just discover the next GI
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