Perspective on the restrictions set for Active support by the FFA
The Newcastle Jets active support ‘The Squadron’ released a statement not too long ago stating that due to Football Federation Australia’s new protocols on active support they had been forced to disband in a show they will not stand for such conditions. Let’s clear something up. The Squadron were not forced to do anything.
Within their statement they pointed to the fact they rely heavily on the influence of the younger demographic being able to walk-in and aid in creating an atmosphere. The fact that after nine seasons ‘The Squadron’ still rely so heavily on the younger demographic shows how poor their active support was run.
Perhaps the thought of joining the active supporter group didn’t appeal to the Novacastrians. It’s not that the fans necessarily don’t like the Squadron but more so it just doesn’t appeal to the wider demographic that resides in Newcastle.
If you’re up to date with all that’s occurring in the lead up to season 10 of the A-League, then you’ll be more than aware that despite these restrictions, which is exactly what they are, active support continues to grow and membership records continue to be broken. Most recently, the new Melbourne City active supporter group ‘Melburnians’ had an increase on their active supporter area. I thought these restrictions were meant to hinder the growth of active support?
They’re not meant to necessarily hinder the growth of active support but provide more security and ease the tensions created by high police activity in and around the areas. Having your active supporter area a member only area provides the FFA and clubs with more ability to find the culprits who light up flares and break spectator code of behaviour.
In a way it does hinder the growth. The casual fan who isn’t a member cannot just purchase a ticket and sit in the active bays under the new measures. How can someone who has never experienced the active supporter vibe, purchase a membership for a whole season when they don’t know what they’ll be in for? Well it’s easy!
You can still become a member in an active supporter area for your football club if the club specifically offers more feasible membership options to purchase. The only problem with this is this means that particular seat is only taken up for a certain amount of games; but alas, that seat can be sold again.
For those who support Brisbane Roar like myself, a lite three game membership can be purchased for roughly $60. This means I could purchase one of these and still remain within the active area. I can entice my mates to come along for three matches at $60 per person and they’ll soon quickly know the joy of supporting your team actively.
Prior to these protocols being implemented by the FFA, the big clubs such as Wanderers, Victory, Roar and Sydney had tried their hand at alternative options to managing the active supporter area. For a season there at Brisbane Roar, I was required to wear a different coloured wrist band each match to indicate I was sitting in Bay 332. This area is where the core of ‘The Den’ resides. This past season gone, those wrist bands were gone and listed in the conditions of purchasing a ticket for sections 331-333, it informed ticket purchasers they would be sitting in an active supporter area or more specifically, the Den is a standing area. This grew the active support bays in good numbers, but what it did not grow was active support.
Growing this takes time and cannot be forced. Active support requires genuine growth. There were many Roar fans who utilise the cheap seats afforded by sitting in the Den and ultimately this would still impact on what the Den was trying to achieve. Although we won the season and grand final, a lot of fans who aren’t from the Roar may be unaware that we struggled to enforce the active area all season. Parents, elderly people and children would persist with sitting; not standing in these areas. It created tension and our Capo was infuriated by this on Grand Final day. At half time, discussions occurred between numerous supporters of the Den. It became slightly heated.
A concern I raised was that the Capo of the Den focused his main energy on that of section 332. Sections 331 and 333 could barely hear the chants he was trying to muster. I was told that they are the main area though. That’s correct Dutchie but in no way does it aid in the growth or even add motivation for the growth of active support. We were being embarrassed on home soil by the RBB. I was left in awe and couldn’t help but just laugh. What the Wanderers brought to Suncorp Stadium was something I had never seen in my life. The atmosphere generated was electric. If you want to do active support right then look at the Wanderers.
Despite the majority of recent problems arising from their group, none of which I blame on them, they lead the way in active support. It was the non members (walk-ins) who were only there to light up flares and cause trouble. I understand the issue the FFA has to face the issue they have caused, but despite their efforts to supposedly “ruin active support” membership are now growing in record numbers for a majority of clubs.
Although being a member doesn’t appeal to everyone, it’s a mandatory push all sporting codes are going with in modern day sport. It shows support for your club and provides them with the financial stability they require to progress further as sporting club. We all play our part and this is why you’ll find clubs like Brisbane Roar, Wanderers and Sydney have stuck by their Active supporters. They will inform us they’re doing everything they can, but in the mean time we continue to purchase memberships.
Why? Because our love for the game. Don’t be surprised if nothing can be done, but I guarantee you our clubs are trying to find a solution. Although a bizarre option, our clubs could always go with one game members. I enforce all that is going on. For those who hold a negative view towards the FFA due to fans receiving bans, I cannot comment on this and this is another issue entirely.
Ultimately there is nothing wrong with being a member but yes, you’re right now bringing a friend is made harder unless they are a member. I’m sure it’ll all be sorted out before the season commences and if it doesn’t then I would love to see how membership numbers finish.
Active support will remain strong and I don’t see the FFA trying to screw us over. Rather they are either caught with their hands in their pockets or they try are left having to do something about it. I see no supporters have provided other alternatives to eradicate the poison behaviour some individuals bring to our wonderful sport.
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