The St George Illawarra Dragons would like to provide our loyal Red V Members, Corporate Partners and other valued Stakeholders with an update on relevant topical issues.
Attendances
The Dragons note that whilst it is difficult to compare attendances across any given year due to certain variables, average Dragons home attendances are presently up in comparison to last season.
This season after eight home games, the Club is averaging 15,118 per game which is presently above the average 13,650 per game achieved across last season.
The Dragons rank fifth in home game attendances compared to all 16 Clubs as at the end of Round 18.
The Club does acknowledge that the previous home game attendance (Round 19 v Gold Coast Titans) was disappointing.
However over the past five seasons the average crowd in NSW for Gold Coast games, at night is 9,740.
The Dragons are still to host four home fixtures including Round 20 v Wests Tigers, Round 22 v Brisbane Broncos and Round 23 v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks which are all traditionally strong drawing opponents.
Membership
The Dragons have 17,884 valued Red V Members in 2016 which places us fifth overall amongst the Sydney-based clubs and eighth overall in the NRL.
This marks a 1% reduction on the final Red V Membership tally of 18,117 recorded in 2015.
The Dragons are in the midst of their third season of the Right Game Right Venue strategy, a strategic initiative with the NRL, based on a model used by other clubs in ensuring long-term sustainability, whilst maintaining a balance with the Club's traditions.
The Club has committed to playing four of their twelve home games (including the existing ANZAC Day game) annually at Sydney’s major stadia: Allianz Stadium, the Sydney Cricket Ground and ANZ Stadium, during this time, whilst retaining eight home games per season at the traditional venues of UOW Jubilee Oval, Kogarah and WIN Stadium, Wollongong.
The Dragons acknowledge that the introduction of this initiative was going to have an impact on membership numbers in the short term, which have decreased 9% from 2013 from 19,730 to their current position.
We also believed our members and supporters would want to see us involved in “marquee” games, going forward.
The Right Game, Right Venue Strategy is a long term strategy linked to the financial sustainability of the Club.
The initial downturn in membership was forecast upon implementation was to be balanced by the new market opportunities that are being realised at the major stadia.
Governance
The Dragons advise that the Club’s Governance review is ongoing. Discussions are continuing with WIN Corporation.
At this point in time, there are no further specifics to report, however Red V Members and Partners will be updated and informed at the appropriate time.
