The WSL season kicks off tonight and the Guardian’s women’s football writer Suzanne Wrack is here now answering your questions – from what to expect from London City Lionesses after their signing spree to whether Manchester City can go back to back.
Ask a question: log in or sign up here.
Dfic1999 asks: You said in one of your club previews ‘with no men’s club supporter pool to draw from, London City Lionesses will have to be inventive.’ How can they do that, especially given all the other London clubs in the WSL? Is their ‘galactico’ strategy sustainable without the matchday attendance to go with it?
Suzanne: Great question. Every club, even those with a men’s club supporter base to draw from, is trying to find that golden goose of a formula to build a large, vibrant, consistent and active audience. In the case of those that do have a parent club with a large men’s fanbase, I think a part of the problem is that club marketing teams have not had to work very hard to fill their stadia. In fact, many men’s teams could fill their stadia two, three… 10 times over with zero effort from their marketing teams. Those marketing teams play different roles for their men’s teams. When they are tasked with having to connect with people and get them to make the decision to physically step into a stadium and do so on a regular basis, I’m not sure they know what to do. With no blueprint for how to do this, that’s where they need to be inventive.
For London City, who don’t even have that big men’s fanbase the club can ping an email to and instantly reach tens of thousands, they have to really lead the way in being inventive. In terms of what that means? For me, it’s about having an activist mindset and getting physically out into communities, schools, local clubs, pubs and community centres. It’s about finding ways to support transport for those that might struggle to get to grounds, it’s about reaching parents, it’s about speaking with people directly on the values team sports, women’s sports and engaging with it. Then, it’s about working towards a vibrant supporters’ club and working with it collaboratively to help them create the environment they want and that will attract others. It’s lots of things, I don’t think there is a magic bullet of an answer.
Continue reading...