Club by Club: 2016 NRL Fan Engagement and Fan Experience Activations

The 2016 National Rugby League season gets underway this week and fans across Australia and New Zealand are gearing up for what will be another exciting season of rugby league action on the field.

Conversely, there is plenty going on off the field as the teams all look to find new and creative ways to engage with their members both in the stadium and online.

I have put together a quick list of what each of the NRL clubs are doing to improve the fan experience in 2016 and it’s safe to say that there’s plenty of exciting fan engagement activations taking place at whichever club you support.

Have you seen something else that your club is doing to improve the match day and digital fan experience? Hit me up and I’ll add it to the list.

NRL

The NRL Bunker is a new addition to the match day coverage that is the most state-of-the-art video referral technology in Australian sport and is set to revolutionise the game’s decision review system and provide a better viewing experience for fans.

NRL Fantasy offers fans:

• Over $350,000 in cash and prizes up for grabs
• Winner claims $15,000 and the official NRL Fantasy Champions ring.
• Enjoy match day Thursday’s and new interactive polling page

Brisbane Broncos

The Bronc’s had one of Brisbane’s City Cat’s decorated in their colours.

The free Broncos app features:

- An iOS design theme & layout optimised for the latest iPhone & iPad devices.
– Push Notifications to keep you updated with breaking news, score alerts & match info.

As well as News – Videos – Photo Galleries – Season Draw By Month / By Round (upload every Broncos game to your device calendar) – NRL & NYC Ladders – Team & Player Stats – Broncos Twitter (team & player accounts) – Match Tickets – Broncos Website – Broncos Membership – Broncos Superstore – Community – NRL Fantasy – NRL Tipping.

Broncos App

Canterbury Bulldogs

‘The Breed’ is the new match day activation from the Bulldogs with the club revealing each of these players through fan’s Instagram accounts.
The fans favourite Bulldogs players have been turned into Superheroes, showcasing their unique skills and reflecting their strong personalities and traits. More here The Breed

Canterbury fans can also pick up free posters.

The  Dogs of Rewards loyalty program is worth a look to see how the club rewards fans.

The dogs have the ’18th Jersey Honour Roll’ which is a giant 18 jersey that will be displayed at the northern end of all Bulldogs home games at ANZ Stadium as a permanent reminder to every one of the contribution of Bulldogs fans.

The updated Bulldogs App features:

- Match highlights
– Picture galleries from every game
– Latest news, table and fixtures
– Push notifications for breaking news and live score updates
– Player profiles

Canberra Raiders

The raiders have run a comp for fans to design the team jersey.

Raiders members can also get their names on the banner that the team runs through each game.

The Raiders app features:

• Access to the latest Raiders news, videos and photo galleries
• 2015 Telstra Premiership draw and fixtures presented in a round or calendar format
• Ladder for the Telstra Premiership and NYC
• Full squad list with player profiles
• Push notifications to keep you updated at all times with breaking news, score alerts and match updates
• Access to all Raiders related sites, including membership and ticketing

Fans can follow the Raiders on SnapChat too.

North Queensland Cowboys

The Cowboys have held a community day for fans.

The Cowboys have ‘Full Time: Field Time’ at the end of every home game where fans can play on the field. Full Time Field Time

The free NQ Cowboys App features:

• A brand new design and layout optimised for all Android Smartphone (2.3+) and Tablet (4.1+) devices
• Access to the latest team news, videos and photo galleries
• Telstra Premiership draw and fixtures presented in a round or calendar format
• Ladder for the Telstra Premiership and NYC
• Full squad list with player profiles
• Push notifications to keep you updated at all times with breaking news, score alerts and match updates
• Integrated Twitter feeds from the official team and player accounts
• Access to all team-related sites, including membership, Cowboys Team Shop and ticketing

Melbourne Storm

The Storm have launched their 2016 Lightning Rewards program which is the best Australian sports fan rewards program. More info here Lightning Rewards

As part of Lightning Rewards, users will accrue points during the season for completing actions online, as well as earning points on game day at AAMI Park. As you build up your points balance, you will hit new reward levels.  At each level, a new reward will be made available to you.  The higher the level, the better the reward!

Lightning Rewards is a loyalty program designed to reward all of our loyal members. In 2016 the Storm have some great new additions, including following your favourite players live in-game stats to help you earn points!

The Storm offer training tips for fans here: Storm Training Tips

The new look Storm app and their SnapChat account are also worth a look. Storm SnapChat and Storm App

Melbourne also called on members to be apart of their biggest ever TV commercial.

The Storm have also held a member’s day as have many of the other NRL clubs.

New Zealand Warriors

Warriors fans had a chance to feature in the team photo.

Memories of the Vodafone Warriors’ stellar 2002 season have been evoked with the release of the club’s heritage strip for the 2016 NRL season produced by club sponsor Canterbury of New Zealand.

South Sydney Rabbitohs 

Souths held a mystery player signing session which is a bit of a clever idea to draw the fans/members out.

Souths fans can win an exciting fan experience by having the opportunity to hang out in the player’s enclosure during matches in 2016.

Souths have a ’Ticket Frenzy’ offer for fans to win free tickets.

The SS junior fan zone is a digital site for young fans that features memory and colouring in games. Check it out here: Souths Junior Fan Zone

Parramatta Eels

Parra let fans change up their Facebook profile pics by adding a blue and yellow over their pic.

The Eels are offering fans deals for special days like Valentines Day and after match wins.

Parramatta have held a Blue and Gold Army Festival fan day where free posters were also given out to fans. More info on the Blue and Gold army can be found here Blue and Gold Army

Eels fans can nab $5 match day parking for all home games.

The Eels have flag raisers as well for each home game.

Young fans have the opportunity to be a junior Eels reporter as well. Junior Eels Reporter

The team also have a playlist for each home game as voted on by the fans. This was the 2015 playlist:

Parra held a ‘Member’s Only’ opportunity to have member’s pictures taken with the Auckland Nines trophy.

The Eels are also calling on fans to wear and share their Blue and Gold colours on social media and get behind #BGFridays where fans can win passes to matches and other prizes.

The Sparky’s Brigade allows young fans to participate in digital activities as seen here: Eels Junior Fan’s Site

The free Eels app features include:

- A brand new design theme and layout optimised for the iPhone 5 and iPad devices ;
– Access to the latest team News, Videos and Photo Galleries;
– 2015 Telstra Premiership Draw and Fixtures presented in a round or calendar format;
– Ladder for the Telstra Premiership and Holden Cup;
– Full squad list with Player Profiles;
– Push Notifications to keep you updated at all times with breaking news, score alerts and match updates;
– Integrated Twitter feeds from the official team and player accounts; and
– Access to all team related sites, including Membership, Merchandise Store, Ticketing, Events Calendar and many more!

Sydney Roosters

Easts fans can win their place in the team photo.

The Roosters app offers:

- A brand new design theme and layout optimised for the iPhone 6 and iPad devices ;
– Access to the latest team News, Videos and Photo Galleries;
– 2016 Telstra Premiership Draw and Fixtures presented in a round or calendar format;
– Ladder for the Telstra Premiership and Holden Cup;
– Full squad list with Player Profiles;
– Push Notifications to keep you updated at all times with breaking news, score alerts and match updates;
– Integrated Twitter feeds from the official team and player accounts; and
– Access to all team related sites, including Membership, Merchandise Store, Ticketing, Events Calendar and many more!

The Roosters loyalty program recognises the importance of our Members and how valued your commitment is to the club.
Read more at Roosters Loyalty Program

The Roosters have held open training sessions for fans and have pushed out information for fans on how to sync their calendars to when games are on with a fixture list.

Fans can learn how to make healthy recipes as part of the Raw-C program seen here Roosters Healthy Eating Recipes

Roosters free legal advice for fans from club sponsor

Wests Tigers

The Tigers held a free trial game for fans.

The Tigers have free wallpapers for fans to download as well here Wests Tigers free wallpapers

The Tigers app offers fans all the news, videos, photo galleries, draw and results, ladders, statistics, match day information, tickets, online shopping and much more. Wests Tigers App

Wests Tigers are also having themed games throughout the 2016 season. More info here Wests Tigers to adopt themes for all home games in 2016 in bid to boost engagement with fans

St George Illawarra Dragons

Dragons fans can bid on player worn gear as well as partake in social media chats with players.

SGI members can also have their name featured on the member’s wall.

The free Dragons app offers live stats and more like:

• Latest Dragons and NRL News
• Dragons TV – interviews and entertainment
• Daily News Wire – media, gossip and opinion
• Draws, Results and Ladder for NRL and NYC
• Player profiles and statistics
• Up to the minute Push Notifications
• Press conferences and match highlights
• Dragons Twitter feed
• Ticketing and Merchandise
• Free updates

Dragons App

Dragons fans can experience an away day with the team as well.

Fans can sync fixtures to their calendars here Dragons Calendars

Members can also enjoy special benefits like these Red V membership incentives Dragons RED V Incentives

Gold Coast Titans

The Titans held a base camp fan experience at CBUS Stadium on the Gold Coast where members were able to sleep over at the stadium. More here: Titans Camp Out

Titans fans can help the team out on match days by being apart of the Titans crew.

Newcastle Knights

The Knights have held a community fan day where fans were able to get their pics with the team in this custom image.

The Knights fun quizzes for fans on social media too.

Cronulla Sharks

One of the more exciting fan engagement features from an NRL team this year has been the announcement from Cronulla about their #SharkPark3D virtual reality experience which enables fans to use a GoogleCard viewer or other Virtual Reality (VR) device, put their phone in the cardboard slot and then experience #SharkPark3D virtual reality! More here on Shark Park 3D

The Sharkies have launched ‘Sharks Rewards’ with fans able to earn rewards for supporting the club. More here: Sharks Rewards

The live streaming of trial games has been a highlight for fans with other clubs also doing this recently.

The new Sharks app is worth a look too. Sharks App

Free downloadable match day programs are also on offer for fans.

Penrith Panthers

The Panthers have held various player appearances around Penrith.

The Panther’s have a good deal for fans with a 6 game pass and a jersey for $199.

The Panther’s Oak Super Fan also sees Panther’s fans showcased on a special Instagram. Penrith OAK SUPER FAN

The Panther’s have offered fans free legal advice from a local sponsor which is a good idea.

The Penrith App offers:

- Access to the latest Panthers news, videos and photo galleries of training and games

- Telstra Premiership draw and fixtures presented in a round or calendar format

- Telstra Premiership and NYC Ladder

- Full squad list with player profiles

- Push notifications to keep you updated at all times with breaking news, score alerts and match updates

- Access to all Panthers related sites, including our membership site and online store

Manly Sea Eagles

The Sea Eagles are giving fans free match day programs which can be downloaded prior to the game.

Manly also held a members appreciation day as well.

The Manly Loyalty Rewards program can be viewed here.

Manly has also teamed up with Netflix and Daredevil to offer this interesting video series Barrett’s Daredevil plans for round 1

The Sea Eagles App features:

- A brand new design theme and layout optimised for the iPhone 6 and iPad devices ;
– Access to the latest team News, Videos and Photo Galleries;
– 2016 Telstra Premiership Draw and Fixtures presented in a round or calendar format;
– Ladder for the Telstra Premiership and Holden Cup;
– Full squad list with Player Profiles;
– Push Notifications to keep you updated at all times with breaking news, score alerts and match updates;
– Integrated Twitter feeds from the official team and player accounts; and
– Access to all team related sites, including Membership, Merchandise Store, Ticketing, Events Calendar and many more!