Poor local attendances

[MickeyD]

Interesting question from a mate of mine, an ex-provincial player...

Slightly edited:

Small poser here for cricket lovers and others... watching RAM SLAM at Newlands = more empty seats than spectators.

Meanwhile in Aussie their equivalent, the KFC Big Bash, = packed houses at every match. The 5 Ashes Tests = +-750,000 spectators (260 thousand odd at MCG Test as an example).

Then SA (No 1) vs India (No 2) in world, lucky if the 2 tests yielded 15 thousand spectators.

Whilst acknowledging that our stadiums by comparison to Oz are a lot smaller, so is their population (50 odd million vs 20 some million).

SO where does the problem lie?

Is it politics (i.e. gatvol of quota's), complacency, boring cricket, warm beer,TV exposure, poor marketing, the "I'd rather braai" syndrome? HELP!

Interesting to note that when the Bok rugger players jolled at Newlands the other night, the place was packed to capacity...where does problem lie?

Your thoughts?

 

[fish_man]

Tomorrow is a work day that's why its not filled , Friday was full because its a party day...

 

[AfricanTech]

Our overall population might be 50 million but I'm willing to wager that the cricket watching portion is probably ten percent of that.

 

[AfricanTech]

Oh, and on Saturday everyone went to beach.

 

[bwana]

Silly me for assuming that it was just PE spectators that were apathetic when it came to matches in the bay.

As far as the RAM Slam goes they need to glitz it up a bit if they want better crowds.

 

[bwana]

On the other side of the spectrum… 105,000 spectators braved freezing temps to watch a ice hockey game on new years day (Toronto Maple Leafs vs Detroit Red Wings)


Source: http://www.ntd.tv/en/news/world/nor...ord-crowd-views-outdoor-ice-hockey-match.html

 

[modern10]

Aus GDP per capita $44,000 vs. RSA $11,000. That's one major reason.

 

[MickeyD]

The overlapping of the traditional local summer and winter sport due to commercialisation causes folks to choose between cricket and rugby (for example). Gone are the days where a sportsman could play provincial rugby/ soccer/ hockey and cricket. So could the problem be that there is too much sport?

 

[MickeyD]

Aus GDP per capita $44,000 vs. RSA $11,000. That's one major reason.

So have a minimal entrance fee but improve on the refreshments available in the ground, i.e. bums on seats and then make money on food and drink (of a high standard!).

 

[modern10]

So have a minimal entrance fee but improve on the refreshments available in the ground, i.e. bums on seats and then make money on food and drink (of a high standard!).

Agreed MickeyD. There was a T20 against Pak a few months ago that I wanted to go to. Entrance was R300. Hell no that's no value for money. Yesterday at the State of Origin match my girlfriend bought a soft drink for R15. The total cost of attending a cricket match is way too much.

 

[Grep]

I was there today until the rain came down and I was so happy. I have been to many live games, why is watching it on a 50 inch telly so much better? Because it is! I love the game but nothing beats HD! Why the aussies cream us, no idea but I can tell everyone this, if this was hosted in PTA/JHB or DBN the stadium would have been dead.

 

[Alan]

On the other side of the spectrum… 105,000 spectators braved freezing temps to watch a ice hockey game on new years day (Toronto Maple Leafs vs Detroit Red Wings)

View attachment 91364
Source: http://www.ntd.tv/en/news/world/nor...ord-crowd-views-outdoor-ice-hockey-match.html

How do half the spectators see anything

 

[Chevron]

Interesting question from a mate of mine, an ex-provincial player...

Slightly edited:



Your thoughts?

All the sport supporters emigrated. Simple really. Only soccer supporters left in SA.

 

[ChocolateBadger]

All the sport supporters emigrated. Simple really. Only soccer supporters left in SA.

The 7's match in PE was packed.

 

[supersunbird]

How do half the spectators see anything

Do you meant distance wise? Well, there are big screens to help like with lots of sports and concerts.

If you mean that it looks flat, optical illusion due to the angle and the lens shape, its a normal stadium not flat

 

[AthenianOwl]

Expensive tickets.
Expensive drinks.
No cheerleaders.

 

[bwana]

How do half the spectators see anything

Here's a different view

The 7's match in PE was packed.

There was room for more.

Expensive tickets.
Expensive drinks.
No cheerleaders.

Hmmmm cheerleaders.

 

[Necuno]

No interest.

 

[Alan]

Do you meant distance wise? Well, there are big screens to help like with lots of sports and concerts.

If you mean that it looks flat, optical illusion due to the angle and the lens shape, its a normal stadium not flat

I realized the optical illusion but I figured it being a single-tiered stand stadium the angle would be quite shallow to fit in that amount of people plus it being ice hockey.

But I see it's in fact rather steep and the spectators are stuffed in like sardines.

I mean compare that to the Nou Camp which seats about the same number.

 

[modern10]

All the sport supporters emigrated. Simple really. Only soccer supporters left in SA.

This is not true