The UC Capitals are aiming for more sell outs this season. Photo: UC Capitals.
The past two WNBL seasons have been an absolute struggle on the court for the UC Capitals.
By most sports metrics, the Capitals should be battling to find an audience after back-to-back wooden spoons, winning just six games in two seasons.
But while the results haven’t been there on the court, it is off the court where the real gains have been made through community and sponsorship engagement.
Even at their lowest point, the team has close to sold-out crowds at their temporary venue for the past four seasons, the National Convention Centre.
Now, as the team prepares for its return to the refurbished AIS Arena, with its 4300-seat capacity for the first time in four years, the opening home game is close to sold out.
The fact that the game on 8 November is against Bendigo Spirit, a team featuring no less than five former UC Capitals players, has heightened interest.
UC Capitals premiership heroes from the past – Kelsey Griffin, Marianna Tolo and Kelly Wilson, alongside former Caps players Abbey Wehrung and Casey Samuels – form the basis of a strong Bendigo outfit.
Paul Goriss, on his return as the UC Capitals head coach, will have his work cut out developing a game plan to outfox three of the most influential players during his previous tenure, which included back-to-back premierships.
Added to the mix is a one-off $5 ticket offer to celebrate the Capitals’ return to the AIS following the venue’s $15 million makeover.
Then, of course, there is the Jade Melbourne factor.
Jade Melbourne will once again help bring the fans along to see the UC Capitals. Photo: UC Capitals Facebook.
She is, potentially, a once-in-a-generation player. Fresh from the Paris Olympics and the WNBA, she remains committed to playing with the Capitals despite interest from rival teams.
Her enthusiasm on and off the court is a marketer’s dream. If Jade is there, the crowds come.
UC Capitals general manager Lucille Bailie said the level of interest and support for the Caps comes as no surprise and anticipates selling out before tip-off.
“We have a solid one-off ticket offer,” says Lucille.
“It’s a milestone game for our program and it’s reflective of the growth and interest in women’s sport globally. Our goal is to sell out 11 home games this season. On the flip side, the Caps players talk about the crowd being their sixth player on the court. The support has a major impact on and off the court.”
Of course, before the UC Caps play their opening game at home, there is the Round 1 encounter with the Sydney Flames in Sydney on 3 November to get through.
With such a new look side, the interest on the court will be on how quickly they can develop into a competitive team.
The hope is that behind the scenes it is already happening with Goriss signalling as much in his opening training session.
Loading ...
