May as well throw my 5 cents worth in... Sorry if it's a bit l o n g winded.
Raffle ticket sales and low membership numbers are not enough to keep a football club afloat. Sponsorships are also difficult to get. Wafl clubs need to keep self- financing themselves through merchandising by selling club products. The merchandising would need to go past the traditional club shirts. Sell club products for all the fan’s needs.Organize the largest range possible of club products for the children, teenagers and the women. Not all people like shirts, and having the largest product range is the best option. If a person does not want or cannot afford a shirt at least they will buy a cup, deck of cards, a pen, a bag or another product. Personalising the product range is another option. For example printing someone’s name or perhaps a photo on their purchased item makes the purchase feel more personal. But a football club brand mainly appeals to the members and fans and not to the general public. But it would be a good way to work on achieving a fan base and grow it as vastly as they possibly could.
If a wafl club had say 10,000 fans that equates to having 10,000 customers and if you offer them a variety of things to buy then you will at least sell something to each and everyone of them.
Get a player or the club as a whole to drive the sales. It will bring in the cash when other sources like raffles, sausage sizzles and the like are struggling.
Promote the merchandise like any other business promotes itself. Make sure it is available in as many locations as possible. Use every touch point with the fans to promote the club products.
At the moment, if I wish to purchase a Wafl club guernsey, the only way is to purchase item from the club. One cannot simply visit the local sports or clothing store to purchase. A better way is to use the platform of major and smaller retailers in the metro and rural areas. The Wafl clubs do have a point of sale within the club office when they play home games. But this is not enough.
Perhaps a Wafl club with help from their Past Players Association could build or have a separate room of football memorabilia about the club and secondly to football. Organize a Past player or players to manage the facility. Everyone would like to chat to a past champion or well-known club identity. Charge visitors a small fee to visit it. If each visitor is charged say $5 and 10,000 fans visit during the season that is 50,000 dollars a year. This money can go a long way in supporting the club.
Creating specific areas for families within the stadium. This would create a safe and quieter area for families to enjoy the game in a more relaxed atmosphere. It keeps them away from rowdy, swearing and anti-social activities that could take place in some parts of the stands. If the whole family were to enjoy a Wafl match, they are more likely to tell their friends and keep coming back.
Give all children who attend gifts upon entering the gates to a Wafl ground.. That will increase the pull in factor. It will increase the awareness of the Wafl into the younger ones. Acknowledge the families and give them opportunities to perhaps have their photograph taken with the Wafl players. Offer families annual Wafl pricing deals they cannot resist.
The Wafl clubs could encourage people to refer and attract their family or friends. Reward those who do with reduced membership costs for 12 months? Or perhaps half price entry for the clubs next home game? That would attract more people in attending Wafl matches. Maybe have two club-family fun days per year? One before the Wafl season and another after the season finishes. Then people and families can meet the players, coach and other club staff. The painting of faces, music or anything that gives children and the family a fun filled day.
On match days, make available food stuffs that can appeal to everybody within easy reach and affordably priced. For example, instead of the boring hotdog, pie and chips, why not serve fresh salads, roasted meats with vegetables, home made soups, freshly made sandwiches, fresh juice drinks etcetera.
People base their decision to return to the football games on more than the football alone. If the Wafl is seen to be an affordable and attractive option, then attendances will rise. Attraction of bringing more people to Wafl matches should not be left to the clubs alone. The WA football commission should be actively engaged in bringing people and families to the Wafl matches. Perhaps they could annually reward Wafl clubs with the best family experience.