This Sunday afternoon I will take pleasure in observing the hordes of bandwagoners, fairweathers and atmosphere spectators flocking to Suncorp Stadium for the first time this A-League season, all investigating whether the value of entertainment on offer is up to their standards.
A bitter-sweet experience it is likely to be though; despite the spectacular occasion sure to captivate all involved, there is no guarantee that the majority of first-timers will take their seats come round 1 of the 2011/2012 season. Nor is the one-off crowd going to have any positive implications on the numbers for any club outside of the two involved in the Grand Final.
It's the makings of a question which has confounded Football Federation Australia officials and their appointed marketing firms for the past six years: how can we persuade these non-regulars to make the transition into the loyal supporters we see forming their club's identities week in, week out for season's on end?
While there is undeniably a need for more expansive and interactive promotions campaigning, a possible solution, even if it is only a partial one, is being wholly ignored by FFA. A solution which is driven by their most applauded vehicle: the Socceroos.
My experiences of the atmosphere at home Australian internationals have been underwhelming in comparison to those I've been a part of in the A-League.
Despite the matches being played against what non-football people would be inclined to see as unworthy opponents, and the blockbuster match-ups being friendlies, attendances are still very fair, which makes the lack of entertainment value off the pitch all the more disappointing.
The healthy crowd numbers are obviously in contrast to A-League figures, pointing to a good turn-out of the non-football people - just like the ones preparing to visit Suncorp on Sunday. It's a pretty good indicator that we need to be capitalising on the potential in Socceroos crowds, and a spotlight on the issue of substandard spectator involvement.
So what's required to repair the situation?
A strong helping of co-operation from FFA would go a long way.
As Green and Gold Army Spokesperson Mark van Aken explained to me, post-Germany 2006 the governing body decided to remove group-specific bays and instead introduce a designated 'home end'.
"Five years on it's hard to argue that the policy has enhanced the matchday experience for those that want to engage in active support or those who sit on the wing and want to soak up the unique atmosphere that only football can deliver," Mark says.
It's a good point.
Since I have only ever attended a single Socceroos fixture outside of Brisbane - vs. New Zealand in Melbourne, May 2010 - it would be unfair of me to discredit the hard work of many by making nation-wide generalisations, but the fact remains that I don't recall ever witnessing the type of support that we see in the A-League.
As is to be expected, Mark points that the geographical differences of GGA members can make organisation difficult.
"It means that few can make each and every game."
"The group's executive meets roughly every month. From time to time there will be days organised around the country for the more active members to come together and share ideas and make banners."
Even in the face of troublesome logistics, progression can be made. There must be more recognition of international matches - marquee football events - as fantastic opportunities for fans to act on the FFA's own buzz word of 'engaging' the outsiders.
"It's probably true that Socceroos fixtures attract more 'theatre-goers'. It's then also true that we deliver a matchday experience that only football can; singing, chanting, jumping, flags, banners, tifos, the whole lot."
For all the frustration directed at the football hierarchy in recent times this can be a medium for them to give us a shot at selling the game for ourselves.
"The marketing types seem to go back to the well with inflatable clappers and rubbish like that. Why not build something that unites both active and non-active fans into a shared experience that also adds to the overall spectacle. And the beauty of this is that it can still drive value and engagement for the federation's sponsors."
The greater numbers of non-football people attending Socceroos matches - we've all seen them - cries out for active supporters to thrill the masses with the atmosphere unique to our game. But we won't get far without the support.
"There are some staff at FFA who get what networks like the GGA are about and do their best to help, but there's still a long way to go. It's very much our focus, given the ground swell of support and power currently shifting back to fans, to put this back on the agenda and work through with all the stakeholders to make the Socceroos matchday experience all it should be."
The quality of exciting fan-made atmosphere which can sway neutrals is alive in Australia, just not yet on the international stage.
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Three points for growing the Socceroos experience:
- Improved co-operation from Football Federation Australia. This should focus on designating specific bays to the GGA - or other supporter groups if they have the appropriate product - to stand, sing, create banner displays, tifos etc.
- There are already links between the Green and Gold Army and A-League club supporter groups. They need strengthening. Consistent dialogue between the parties could see each individual group become central to creating the spectacle for the 'Roos in their respective cities.
- Better spread of internationals amongst cities. Even with their heightened crowd numbers, it will be of little long-term gain for Sydney, Melbourne and to a lesser extent Brisbane to share a monopoly.
I'd love to hear your own ideas on how we can improve the active support of Australia in the comments below.
I also encourage anyone with an interest in the matter to raise it at the Fan Forum roadshow, while it is also free to join the Green and Gold Army at ggarmy.com.
