Do you love your club but remain unsure whether you want to fork out the cash to become a club member? Let it be known it is in fact the best way to support your club because all the money goes directly back into the organisation you love.
With the 2016 NRL season fast approaching, here are NRL.com's top 10 reasons to become an NRL club member.
10. Who doesn't want the exclusive benefits?
Who doesn't love free stuff? Scarves, hats, bottle openers, key rings, plus much more. When you first sign on to become a club member, these are some of the initial benefits you receive. Who doesn't want to represent their club with fancy accessories? Bulldogs members will receive a bag and poncho for those rainy nights at ANZ Stadium while the Sea Eagles faithful will get access to their club's 'Inside the Swoop' e-Newsletters. For all you Panthers and Roosters party animals, signing up will mean you also get a 12-month membership for your respective leagues clubs.
9. Memberships cater for the kids... and babies… and pets!
Women, men, families, children and pets alike can all become club members. Every club offers memberships that cater for all walks of life, just another advantage that comes with being a rugby league fan and member. There's a reason why the Broncos are one of the membership heavyweights in the NRL, there's just so many options. Last year's runners up have three different kid memberships (depending on age) as well as $30 baby and pet memberships. The Cowboys offer dual membership for an Intrust Super Cup of your choice – Blackhawks, Cutters or Pride – while the Knights offer something a little different in gift vouchers, which can be transferred to memberships down the line.
8. Flexible ways to show your admiration
Even if you can't get to every single game, most clubs have an option to sign up and see a segment of games of your choosing. Melbourne offers a quad pass which gets you into four AAMI Park games while the Raiders have a whole heap of options, ranging from 1-6 games at GIO Stadium. The Eels' junior fans can jump on Sparky's brigade too, which entitles kids up to 15 years of age to head to three games for free. Better yet, one parent can go to the first of the three games for free themselves.
7. Non-ticketed options
Can't make it to the games during the year? No problem. You can still enjoy all the benefits of being a club member through non-ticketed options. Every club has this option which still entitles you to all the membership benefits – essentially from the comfort of your own home. The Gold Coast Titans have a range of non-ticketed options - including a supporter member which will only cost you $20! This also gets you a discount on additional home fixture ticket purchases.
6. You get exclusive access to your club
Another huge perk about becoming a club member lies in the fact that members get exclusive access to meet and greet players at all kinds of events. The Warriors keep the State of Origin dream alive across the ditch by offering options tailored to your state of choice. As for Tigers fans, their membership may also see them receive reciprocal general admission access to one day of the Sydney 500 VB Supercars Championship in December.
5. Who doesn't love discounts?
As a club member you are given a host of discounts on a range of things: from discounts on parking to merchandise and other benefits. Platinum Sharkies fans will get their very own parking spot at Sharkies Leagues Club for home games, as well as an $80 merchandise voucher. While their rivals in the Dragons offer a 15 per cent off merchandise no matter the membership. The perks continue to blossom when you throw in the fact plenty of clubs have ticket discounts for family and friends of members. That makes it cheaper to take your friends and loved ones to the game you love.
4. You get the news, first
Members receive breaking news and major announcements from their club first. From player signings, club updates and any number of things that happen during the course of an NRL season, members are given the news first. This is a great way to become truly entrenched with your team as you will be constantly updated with the ins and outs of the business.
3. The ability to guarantee your seat at the big games
Members get given priority access for tickets to the big games, finals and representative fixtures. You will get first shot at securing your seats for the most sought-after games on the calendar thanks to exclusive buying windows before the tickets go on sale to the general public. State of Origin tickets are prioritised for clubs in New South Wales and Queensland as well.
2. You save lots of money!
We've already covered that a club membership entitles you to discounts on everything from jerseys and merchandise to parking and other items. But did you know that a club membership will save you enough money from buying tickets to NRL games to actually pay for next year's membership? Not only do members get first crack at tickets for major events, they also get them cheaper. So if you bought a ticket to all major events, you would actually save enough from your membership discounts to pay for your membership the following year. Sign us up!
1. You to get to see your team play
The most obvious yet huge benefit of becoming a ticketed club member is the fact you get to see your team play. It is the greatest perk of becoming a member; you are guaranteed a seat at your stadium to see your favourite players and your team play the greatest game of all. But not only that, you are riding every high and every low with them. You will become just as much a part of the team as the 17 players who take the field. It doesn't get much better than that.
