VIDEO: How Lions can lure crowds back to the Den
Ellis Park is an iconic stadium that has hosted some of the biggest events in the game, such as the 1995 World Cup Final.
A full Ellis Park still remains one of the most exhilarating venues, but last week it was barren – hardly a spectator that attended the Lions’ first Currie Cup win of the season, a 41-26 triumph over the newly promoted Griffons.
The spectator numbers at the Doornfontein venue have declined in recent years, often linked to the slump in form by the franchise’s various teams.
However, that is a more complex conundrum.
Currie Cup captain Jaco Visagie says he hopes Saturday’s doubleheader will go some way towards getting people excited about visiting the Den again.
The Lions’ Currie Cup team hosts the Sharks in a Round Four match (with a 15.30 kick-off), followed by the historic first-ever Challenge Cup Round of 16 knock-out game against French giants Racing 92.
“We are definitely excited,” Visagie told @rugby365com when asked about the two big games.
“As a professional player you don’t enjoy running out in a quiet stadium,” he said, adding: “Hopefully the doubleheader will bring in some more supporters.
(Article continues below Visagie’s interview with @king365ed…)
Visagie admitted winning more often and playing an entertaining brand is key to enticing people to get off their couches in front of the television and attend live games at the stadium.
Getting spectators to the stadium is also more challenging than other venues, as it often requires travelling through the decaying and crime-riddled inner-city suburbs like Hillbrow and Berea.
“There needs to be something to look forward to,” he said, adding that an exciting brand and a winning team are prerequisites.
“These days there needs to be additional entertainment,” Visagie told @rugby365com, adding: “It can’t just be [a case of] paying for a ticket, watching a game and go home.
“There needs to be something for the children, a form of live entertainment, like a live band.
“It has to be a whole day’s worth of entertainment.”
The Lions are already well down that road – with beer gardens and food stalls, to go with the music and children’s entertainment areas.
“Winning is a good start,” Visagie said.
Beating both the Sharks and Racing on Saturday will certainly help.
@king365ed
@rugby365com
