Hoops

Illawarra biggest crowd of the season?

Beaton Park Stadium that should say.

Neston Park Stadium.

You won't find it on Austadiums as it only lists crowds and active arenas from 2003 onwards.

I knew what you meant but found it funny Scarborough was mentioned.

Also I was referring to central Wollongong (2500) not all of their suburban or Illawarra beaches - go down south to Port Kembla and it's industrial like Kwinana.

My point was more about the issues regarding parking, (scarborough is on a much smaller scale). Not so much comparing Scarboroughs offerings to that of Wollonongs. Scarborough is just a suburb, obviously.

LOL Scarborough. To provide context it's a complete dive compared to the beaches in Wollongong near the WEC.

Just on the transport problem, how does a venue that holds nearly 6000 for Hawks games and probably more for other events/concerts has such poor car parking solutions? Moreso given its location. And why is public transport so bad if the location caters to big crowds?

In Perth, the Scarborough Beach precinct had a major revamp (new bars,new reestaurants, family areas, swimming pool etc) making it a real beach entertainment hub. But parking has been atrocious and not able to cater for the bigger crowds.

If this is a similar problem in Wollongong, then id be avoidong the area too!

Three to make two makes some interesting points about profitability but in my opinion it still doesn't really explain why they don't get more than 3k to games more often. If public transport and parking can't support a bigger crowd, then how did they get 5k against Sydney?

Parking at the WEC is pretty ordinary as well. The WEC itself has bugger all. Hawks need an investor willing to ante up and back a rebuild of the Snakepit at Beaton Park. Not as scenic a location as the WEC, but an owned stadium where they can generate all sorts of revenue would be long term beneficial.

WEC is the premier boutique stadium but more importantly within the best location (on the beach, next to parks etc.) in the entire league. The problem is in the middle of summer why would you want to be inside it when it's so picturesque outdoors.

Nice work 'Three to Make Two', some good info there, and some questions answered well.

Im not a Hawks fan by any means, but I do hope they can work out some of the big issues holding them back and become a strong club especially as the league continues to grow. Would hate to see them pushed out because of poor crowds and shoestring budgets.

"First I've heard that WEC is a problem. Correct me if im wrong but I thought WEC was ideally located on the beach strip, in a popular area of the city near entertainment, restaurants and bars. I would have thought that would make it an ideal location to get to and to stay post game."

It is in a good location. But public transport is shyte. And if we got Perth-size crowds, parking would be an issue. But, yes, before and after the game there are many bars and restaurants to go to, all within walking distance. Unlike the Snakepit!

"Poor excuses by Illawarra locals. Just not a supportive town. Time to move the team. They get bigger crowds every other city they go to.

Bendigo or Tassie awaits."

But teams in regional Victoria and Tassie have been and gone. The Hawks have hung in as the only remaining foundation club. Having said that, I would love to see a Tassie team and other teams in the comp (Canberra? Newcastle?) But that shouldn't be at the expense of another team.

"Better crowds I recall (regularly) at the Snake Pit."

That could've been the perception as the Snakepit is a "cosy" venue and regularly sold out. This might have made crowds seem bigger than they were (and I heard rumours, crowds bigger than things like fire regs allowed!). And nearly everyone who went was or had been involved with basketball (played, coached, had kids or family members who played). The atmosphere was very intimate. You could hear the crunch when hard screens were set. And you knew that the referees/opposing coaches could hear remarks directed at them!

"I dont think there is a stadium or arena in the country that offers decent food and beverages and getting ripped off for it."

Granted. And one of the reasons I researched Beanhunter and avoided stadium coffee when my kids played juniors around the state!

"Afaik the rent has always been the problem"

This is what I've heard. Also, when the Hawks had to move to WEC, they lost the revenue from food and drinks. At the Snakepit, these were largely run by volunteers, people involved with Illawarra Basketball (technically separate to the Hawks). So, all the profits went to basketball.

But due to "progress" the Hawks had to move. The NBL had an image it wanted to protect (or project). But, riding on the boom of the '90s did not protect Brisbane, Sydney or Melbourne, each of which had bigger population bases, capital city transport systems and more venues to choose from. But these boom-time requirements hurt most other regional teams. And remember: there were many regional teams in the NBL's formative years, playing out of their association's facilities, comparable to the Snakepit.

"just how much are tickets for the hawks anyway?"

I think my tickets were about $800 for the season - but that is for pretty good seats. Casual tickets are about $30-50, depending on view.

First I've heard that WEC is a problem. Correct me if im wrong but I thought WEC was ideally located on the beach strip, in a popular area of the city near entertainment, restaurants and bars. I would have thought that would make it an ideal location to get to and to stay post game.

Ticket prices being $30 and up per adult - perhaps a bit steep given there is not much demand for tickets but you could fairly blame WEC for that i supppse if their rental fee is too high.

Cost of beverages, coffee etc - somebody complained about the coffee. I dont think there is a stadium or arena in the country that offers decent food and beverages and getting ripped off for it. Its a standard complaint!

You're suggesting the Snakepit was regularly running at double its capacity?

just how much are tickets for the hawks anyway?

Poor excuses by Illawarra locals. Just not a supportive town. Time to move the team. They get bigger crowds every other city they go to.

Bendigo or Tassie awaits.

Teams to have made more grand final appearances than the Hawks in the past decade:
New Zealand
Perth

That's the whole list.

"That's because the hawks teams have been absolutely trash,"

They have made the finals 5 times in past 10 seasons (on a shoestring budget).

As a fan, I would like the attendances be better to help with the finances and keep the NBL off their backs, but, for whatever reason, it is difficult. One reason might be that, despite the population of the Illawarra, it is geographically dispersed along the coast. Being a regional area, public transport is shyte. So getting to and from games can be a barrier. Unless you live in Wollongong, it can be hard to get to games unless you have a car (and harder to get home)

People are also pissed at the venue (WEC). They charge exorbitant amounts for food and beverages (and their "coffee" is no more than warm frothy dishwater, and expensive). But WEC know they have the Hawks over a barrel because there is no other NBL-approved venue. Capital cities have several government-funded venues available so more competition and flexibility. (And despite this, several of the capital city franchises have gone broke over the years but the Hawks keep putting a team on the court, make the finals and occasionally beat the top-ranked team!

It's interesting to me the amount of people suggesting the next stars is in question because the Hawks won a couple of games without Melo. They still look pretty awful to me. Don't let a couple of short term results against struggling opposition make you think that the Hawks are all of a sudden the real deal since Melo is out.

A good move by the NBL to give the comp's two regional teams NYE games. It's tradition in Cairns anyway and both teams drew 5k crowds. Fantastic.

Illawarra get terrible support from their town. Time to move them to Bendigo

what do you think the chances are of these players staying on their current teams next season?

Johnny flynn
Corin henry
Darnell lazare
Lance hurdle
Adris deleon
Cedric jackson
Ben madgen
Aaron bruce

All really good players, hopefully they will stay for a while