Hoops

Thanks Dean Parker @ Sixers

Put it this way, I saw Paul Bonsor at Bunnings buying a wheelbarrow to carry all the cash

I wouldn't write off any Sixers team coached by Joey. The NBL is pretty even and yes there will be some teams improve from last season's efforts, but let's just play each game on its merits.

The competitive edge that the Sixers had last season was their home win record. That had a lot to do with the confidence of the team, which is part had a lot to do with the great support they had from fans. I don't see any Sixer moping about with a lack of confidence.

Memberships up and I would suggest the crowds will be up as well. There will be some obvious sellouts this season. The Perth GF rematch should be standing room only, and any NZ game gets packed with the Kiwi ex-pats looking for a choice night out. The Melbourne games should be full as well. There's a high chance there's another "blackout" game and I am sure there are other surprises in store.

The team needs crowd support to be successful, and success will bring crowds.

What I say to any Sixers fan is get behind the team. Any fan can contribute to the success of the club because the club is not just players, coaches and owners.

Spending money to make money needs to apply off the court even more than on it. Gotta advertise!

When did they spend money to make money and lose?

Last Year, thats why they are not spending the full cap this year.
Tight $$$$$$$$

we spent money to make money and lost money

I'm floored that they wouldn't give your suggestion the time of day Isaac. You clearly have a passion for the sport, want to see the club successful & know a thing or two about technology.

Anyone in business knows you can not be an expert on everything, but it is important to surround yourself with people who are.

I am not a big user of social media, but know that most other people are and I am the minority. It is not just the way of the future, it is the way of the present.

The club are trying to set up a culture and product to attract families. Do they not realise that kids are very reliant on social media and can provide a lot of "pester power" to influence the family to get to the basketball.

The club needs to reconsider there position on this, particularly if your contact is a top operator with a successful track record, is passionate about the sport and is willing consult or actually do it for a few tickets to seats that would otherwise be empty anyway (ie at no real cost to the club).

Even do a little trial period and review all info before it goes out. This should be a no brainer, I just cant see any downside.

I suspect the club will wonder why they didn't do this earlier once they see how much FREE PUBLICITY can be generated via social media.

I don’t have a problem with the lack of updates from teams in the NBL during the off-season in respect of player signings. You can only really disclose the information once the player is signed – you don’t want to be releasing to the public any names of guys you are going after because other teams will pounce. What else can you say “We are in contact with a few guys for the upcoming season” – that’s implied. Pretty boring social media update so I am glad they don’t do that.

Also I don’t think people understand how hard team management is in the NBL – usually GMs in Europe would say ..”here’s X dollars, go out and find me the best available player for this position”. Over here you have the points cap to deal with which you have to be extra diligent around (otherwise you won’t have enough points for the guy you really want or you won’t have used your full allocation), you have a smaller player market (its hard to find a backup C) and you have to deal with imports who at this time of the year are fixated with the NBA/summer league and chasing paper.

A lot of imports get sorted out last minute because realistically for the good imports, Australia is not their first option (because they think $$ straight away) – even though Australia is often their best option, they just take time to realise that. So I am not one to criticise the lack of player info over the off-season. Teams should keep in touch in other ways though – events to keep in touch (bbqs, dinners) with fans, open training sessions (where applicable), dunk contests and 3 point off season shootouts and camps with the youngins.

previously where issues have arisen, i always aim to make people aware. last season only a handful came about, but everytime; to deans credit, he replied.

it doesnt take much, however given people's unavailability in running a club or empire, i understand we arent major corporations, just members and supporters but its nice to feel acknowledged.

Dean is a pretty clever guy and he would take on board the feedback you provide. Merchandising is a very hard thing to get right. Look at something simple as t-shirts - how many do you order? sizes etc? One item I would love to see them bring back is the clappers. In any situation, you can never get enough feedback, but a couple of my opportunities for improvement for the Sixers are: (IMO)

1. Social Media. Need to get on the bus here. With any FMCG product or entertainment, you can never have enough PR and social media campaigns. Would like to see more in this area. Some NBA clubs are even snap chatting fans (what the heck is a snap chat?) It is basically marketing.
2. Benchmark. We have the best stadium facilities, but would be good to see the Sixers take a leaf or two out of some other sporting organisations. Perth do it pretty well and I am sure a week in Melbourne having a look at how Collingwood do things wouldn't hurt. I hear that some of the Perth Admin staff spent some time in Miami to see how the NBA do things. Perhaps a trip to a larger NBA club like the Bulls, or Celtics? There could be a few takers in the from office for that!
3. Player Involvement/Engagement in the general media. Link this with social media, the local rag we called the Cro-vertiser, and the TV & radio stations. Even second locally made show has a Crows player talking about his grandmother's secret scone recipe, or their favourite fishing spot. Would be nice to see, for example, Peach casting a line with the guys at "out of the blue" and then cooking up salt and pepper squid.