Uni Assignment - HELP

[omni]

Hey guys,

I'm doing an article for my journo class at uni, just looking for what you guys think about the changing nature of supporters from the NSL to the A-League, is there change? Is it good or bad and why?

Reply here, PM me or email me if you have it.

[Perm]

omni, i have done something like this before on ze forum.
you should formulate a few standard questions and post them up so everyone could give you the best answers. would make for a good thread too!

[brett]

I am an A-League supporter - there's one change for the better

[greenpoleffc]

Omni. are you looking only for people who were NSL and now go regularly to HAL?? or newcomers to HAL??

Happy to help if latter

[omni]

We can go with the latter, I interviewed Gumps about it and he was only in the NSL for 2 years.

OK some Questions.

How Long have you been a supporter of Club Football in Australia?
Do you feel the perception of fans has changed since the A-League commenced?
Do you feel this perception is accurate?
What have been some higlights? Lowlights?
Where does Australia have to improve in terms of fans culture?
Have you been involved (ie. in the same ground as) in any incidents highlighted by the media as unsavoury? How did you feel about these at the time and now?

[midfielder]

When is it due I off on holidays tomorrow will be back on Monday.

[omni]

2 Weeks.

[Coastie]

Damn, I trust you figured something out.

Handed in my thesis on Friday. Celebrated for 3 days straight.

But now here I am, at 3:30am doing another uni assignment. What the hell was I celebrating?

[Auburn Mariner]

How Long have you been a supporter of Club Football in Australia? Since 2005
Do you feel the perception of fans has changed since the A-League commenced? Yes, I think that people are far more aware of us now and expect our presence. And the authorities know what's going on MOST of the time.
Do you feel this perception is accurate? No, I get sick and tired of the complaints of our swearing and alleged misbehaviour. Aussies are not used to passionate footy fans, and they are most intolerant of us. Pity, cause we are here for the duration.
What have been some higlights? All or our trips to SFS, MISC and Lang Park. Home games, V1 Grand Final, making heaps of new friends.
Lowlights? The Squadron's behaviour last home game, the idiots above us at NISC, Joel's non-suspension for making deliberate contact with the Asst Ref.
Where does Australia have to improve in terms of fans culture? More people, more knowledge of the game, less emo's, the Home End ALWAYS packed out, more song knowledge, more tolerance from others.
Have you been involved (ie. in the same ground as) in any incidents highlighted by the media as unsavoury? No, and the media will always beat up an incident. News Ltd (Footy Fever aside) does us non favours.
How did you feel about these at the time and now? A little disappointed, concerned for the injured, hope it won't happen again.

Good luck Chris, let us know your mark.

AM

[Pete]

How long have you been a supporter of Club Football in Australia?
Since 2005.

Do you feel the perception of fans has changed since the A-League started?
Yes - and no (sorry Omni). Yes the fans who have been to a few games and spoken to experienced football fans have come to know what level of the game to expect and the norms re: spectator behaviour, newcomers are still expecting some riot to break out or flares to light up the perimeter of the ground!

Do you feel this perception is accurate?
Well, no. More should be done to highlight the lack of any incidents, the humour of some of the supporting, the self discipline of most fans, and the athletisim of the players (instead of criticising the "Fosterised" view of a lack of technique).

What have been some highlights?
Standing in the rain vs. Perth - and having the players in the PMF afterwards obviously chuffed at the idea that fans would do that for them. V1 - most of it, especially the away trip to Qld. V1 Grand Final day - a massive yes to the HAL by a sell out crowd. The genuine freindliness of people like Lawrie, and most of the players when you approach them. Meeting some real characters that support the Mariners, and establishing some friendships along the way. Meeting some young(er) folks who have changed my (previously negative) views on the future generation. Being able to get back in touch with a sport I played as kiddie through supporting and some participation. Being able to connect with the community I live in via supporting the Mariners.

Lowlights?
Newcastle supporters spitting from above at EAS. Some internal politics within the supporters group and on this forum. Police and security at Bluetongue either having NFI, or being over the top. Any of Richard Noone's articles that sensationalise the extremities of football supporting, creating anxiety within the community and not being balanced against the whole spectrum of what is football supporting.

Where does Australia have to improve in terms of fans culture?
I believe by starting afresh in 2005 we are in a unique position to write the rules with reference points from all the other competitions throughout the world. We could improve our culture by adopting unique Australian-esque supporting, as opposed to a little bit of Brazilian, a little bit British. In time that will happen I'm sure.

Have you been involved (ie in the same ground as) in any incidents highlighted by the media as unsavoury?
No

How did you feel about these at the time and now?
N/a

[omni]

Thanks guys, assignment has been done, will let you know when I get the result.

I've had luck with Mariners related assignments - a credit for the last one I did.