THE NORMAL way of things at SANFL matches, at least at Alberton Oval, will start change from this weekend, with Port Adelaide seeking to revitalise youth attendance at local football games.
While SANFL match attendances can be impacted on by on-field AFL success, Port Adelaide has nevertheless decided to enhance Alberton Oval game days for its final five home matches, starting this Sunday against Glenelg.
From this Sunday, young fans will be able to have a kick and catch and sign autographs with Port Adelaide’s AFL stars Robbie Gray, Hamish Hartlett, Justin Westhoff and Jay Schulz at half time.
It’s just one of the small ways Port is hoping to attract families to its SANFL games, as well as the club’s ‘grown-up’ supporters.
“One of the big challenges for the SANFL is to find a way of growing what is an ageing supporter base and engaging the next generation of South Australian football fans,” says Port Adelaide’s general manager of marketing Matthew Richardson.
“We have the same challenge at Port Adelaide, because we want to keep that proud traditional connection to our heritage as the Magpies at Alberton strong.
“With over 60,000 members and an average crowd of just under 50,000 in the AFL, our challenge is now to try and build our SANFL attendances with younger families and kids, as well as those who grew up with the Maggies.”
The popularity of activity-based experiences building up to AFL games has shown supporters want to feel part of a bigger day out at the football.
While the ‘kick and catch’ and opportunity to get close to the playing group at quarter breaks is a long tradition of SANFL football, Port Adelaide wants to make it even more enjoyable for families.
“Our young fans have heroes in the AFL and what we need to do is help them make the connection that if they aren’t playing for Port Adelaide in the AFL, they will be playing for or watching Port Adelaide in the SANFL,” Richardson says.
Port Adelaide has also shaken up the way it does other game day activities. The traditional long luncheon building up to matches has been replaced with more informal events, such as a ‘High Tea’ pre-game in conjunction with this weekend’s Women’s Round.
And while the look and feel of a typical SANFL home game will remain, Port Adelaide is looking for ways to make going to a Magpies home match a unique experience in 2016 so families can take advantage of cheap ticket prices and free entry for kids at local level.
“What we’ve seen in the AFL is our supporters vote with their feet for a uniquely ‘Port Adelaide’ experience,” Richardson says.
“Our challenge is to make a unique Port Adelaide SANFL experience at Alberton Oval that caters for traditional local footy fans, but also for the mums and dads who want to share the same Magpies experience they had growing up with their kids.
“That won’t happen overnight, but we’ll slowly chart out what that unique experience will look like for the rest of this year and look to implement new things in 2016.”
Port Adelaide’s remaining home games at Alberton Oval
Sunday 31 May v Glenelg, 2:10pm
Sunday 28 June v Adelaide Crows (SANFL Showdown IV), 2:10pm
Saturday 1 August v Central District, 2:10pm
Saturday 22 August v South Adelaide, 2:10pm
Weekend of Saturday 29 August v West Adelaide, time TBC
All SANFL tickets $14 general admission, $8 concession, children under 18 free
