I recently noticed the following post on the Springbok Sevens IRB Sevens World Series 2009/2010 Campaign FaceBook Group:
Apologies for the belated post, just found the group. Many won’t like what I have to say but it comes from the heart. We were there when the bokke won in Adelaide and we’ve been here and supported them when they’ve lost.
But this year the loss Hirt less than the snubbing bok fans received from the team. Let me explain, a highlight for many supporters is to chat with the players after everyhring is said and done. Win or lose we’re proud of our guys and for some strange reason feel a burning need to express it. A photo , an autograph or jus getting to say well done face to face brings people from as far away as Brisbane and Perth.
So, to have the team just packup and leave while the supporters beg them to do a lap around the oval, as every othe team win or lose had done, is disappointing and frankly hurts. For three days fans fly the flag shout and sing your guts out and their team doesn’t acknowledge their support.
One friend of mine has said she’ll be supporting the Australian team next year and for an expat that’s really tough.
Perhaps they’ll remember what the point is next year.
The coach responded
The author, Lionel Dieperink goes on to say that he has also written about his observations via the SARU website and that he was happy to have received an e-mail from Paul Treu. In it the coach undertakes that they will look into opportunities for more/better interaction between the Team and the fans at the Adelaide Sevens.
(Continues below. SA readers, please click on the advert below to support BlitzBokke.com)
The role of the Team Manager
I would like to add that while we appreciate the efforts in this regards that the coach has made, he already has a lot on his plate and that someone like Sebastian Prim, the Team Manager should really step up and become more hands-on with regards to communication between the Team and the fans. Here at BlitzBokke.com we have already set up a great communication infrastructure and we implore the team management to use us.
In the light of this issue and to expand on a discussion I had with Riette Pretorius after the USA Sevens (read more about that here), we here at BlitzBokke.com decided to add a feature to the BlitzBokke.com online mix that will hopefully help to enhance communication between the fans of the Springbok Sevens Team. Our ultimate aim is for the Team and management to become actively involved in this initiative. Only time will tell.
Let’s talk
We have revived what we would like to call the BlitzBokke Community Forum. The techies amongst you would proably argue that this kind of an online bulletin board is outdated but we feel strongly that the Forum allows the kind of interaction that a website or even FaceBook cannot.
So let’s give it a go.
How can you become part?
Basically, you register as a Member in 4 easy steps. Once you’re registered, you can interact with other Members about anything that pertains to our Team.
The Forum is brand-new and we depend on you to guide us as to how we can tweak it so as to make it as effective as possible.
Please visit The BlitzBokke Community Forum and let’s become more active in our support for the BlitzBokke. (struck off 6/02/2011)
Cheers,
Mike Jansen
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