Quote ="Septimius Severus"
IMG know the game is based on the M62 corridor, Leigh over Toulouse offers 6 more derbies. Derby games create local interest and rivalry, especially if the games are competitive. Wakefield v London is not what the neutral fan wants to see, but Wigan v St Helens in a feisty competitive game, twice a season is something to get excited about. Super League instead likes to reduce the number of teams and end up like Scottish Football where Celtic v Rangers is a fixture every other week.
Social Media is the key to the growth of the game, but it needs to be the right kind of content to interest all age groups.'"
i agree that we are at a point of saturating the good games, by overplaying them. As a game we need to focus on bringing up the overall quality, so that the quality / intensity of a Wigan v Saints derby is replicated week in / week out. Whilst i'll admit you cant replace the rivalry of a local derby, you do need to be able to replicate the quality, intensity etc through the weekly rounds and if you can, there is no doubt in my mind that fan numbers would increase.
We have played Saints / Wire 5 or 6 times in a season with 2 league fixtures, 1 loop fixture, 1 CC round and then play off / grand final, and it gets too much, and detracts from the spectacle that it should be. I know you can always avoid it, especially if its a measure of success by making playoff andd finals, but something that needs to be considered.
with regards to social media, i have got both my daughters watching old clips off you-tube, admittedly a lot of it is Biff related
, but they love the physical contact and get excited when there is a bit of biff. I feel a good social media presence should be mix of the old and the new. I know there will be sentimental fans, who love nothing better than seeing John Woods, Des Drummond, Alex Murphy, i'll chuck Tim Street in for one of my best mates wearing the club colours, but equally, its good for the new fans to see who has graced the colours previously