Participant Observations 25/6/18 - AFLFA Fan Forum Responses

Here are the questions for discussion that were sent out prior to the AFLFA Fan Forum, and my responses that have been sent back:

Inaugural Fans Forum: 24 June 2018

QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION

1.What do you most love about footy?

The game itself is great to watch – fast, high scoring, physical, skilled, and exciting. There are other things I like as well, such as the crowds, the atmosphere, the history, the media coverage, the ability to bond with others around it, but mostly I love watching the game because of its entertainment value as a spectacle.

2. How important is footy in your life?

Other than family and friends, footy is the most important thing in my life. It pretty much dictates my entire life. I play it, I love watching it, and it defines my identity as a person. For this reason, I actually like the AFLX and AFLW because it gives more content over the off-season.

3. What is your ideal match day experience - before, during and after the game?

Getting to the game is something special, and usually involves travelling on public transport with other fans, even in New South Wales. There should be more public transport initiatives around getting to AFL games, such as free travel on public transport with a valid AFL ticket or membership on game days. Getting to the ground is awesome. I think the pre-game activities held around the ground prior to entry is good if done well – it shouldn’t be over commercial or over crowded. The focus should be on kids and home team promotion, such as merchandise. Inside the ground, pre-game I think there should be more curtain-raisers, such as NEAFL games, colts games, women’s games. At times I think pre-game, quarter-time, and half-time entertainment is boring. After the game, everyone loves kick-to-kick. Perhaps more should be done about promoting venues for people to kick on to after the game, not just one or two venues.

4. What are the sorts of things that might stop you going to the game?

Increased ticket prices. Poor crowd behaviour. Poor public transport access. Poor venues. Poor game presentation by the home team. If the visual experience or entertainment quality of the game as a decreases.

5. What do you think needs to be improved about the game?

Broadcast coverage of the teams needs to be more equal. Some teams are only on free-to-air television a small number of times each year. Also, less Melbourne-centric bias in commentary and promotion of the game.

6.The AFL Fans Association which organised this forum are keen to make sure they are representing fans. What are the three (3) issues you would like the Fans Association to be working on for you?

1) Making the game affordable to access, either live or on television (I.e., lobbying for low ticket prices, affordable stadium concessions, low subscription TV prices, more free-to-air TV coverage)

2) Making the game enjoyable to watch (i.e., lobbying for anti-density rules, improved scoring, etc.)

3) Pressuring the AFL to act as a social institution. The AFL can and should be seen as a progressive leader in society around issues such as gender equality, equal rights, anti-discrimination, anti-racism, anti-sexism and so on. The AFLFA should lobby the AFL to be strong and progressive on these issues.