2020 Membership Packs

[Sainternist]

Mine arrived in the post yesterday. My only qualm is with these pint-sized transparent plastic tote bags. They look like teeny bopper makeup bags or something. Are they transparent in compliance with the Docklands anti-terrorism security checkpoints or something? 2019 tote bags were perfect to carry my water bottle, sandwiches, a book and an extra garment in to the games. I suppose I could always wash it and reuse it for 2020.

ISC has at least got the right shade of red on the membership scarves. The X-Blades’ ones was too light a shade of red, for mine. I think this’ll be the last time I get a membership scarf. It’s probably better to go for the donation to the club option. Not to mention, I have all these old membership scarves from the previous years. They’ll have to be incorporated into some sort of art or creative project eventually haha

[Sanctorum]

I took issue with Saints Membership and Marketing teams last year about the poor membership pack in 2018 and again this year about 2019, in particular the quality of some of the smaller bits and pieces which are more appropriate for kids than adults. In my case, living in Brisbane I did not appreciate the advice that we could donate the stuff back to the club because in essence my annual fees, without any games held in Brisbane, are in essence a donation to the club anyway.

When I renewed my membership for 2020 a month or so ago I spoke with the senior membership manager and reiterated my disappointment with the choice of either a scarf, cap or beanie, as I have a collection of these already, and suggested the club think outside the square and come up with some items that offer greater variety, such as a training T-shirt and cap - lightweight and far more suitable for warmer climates.

In 2018 I was told that St Kilda follows the lead of most other AFL clubs sourcing their products from the one supplier for the membership packs, to which I responded that it showed a total lack of initiative and inventiveness by my footy club to offer our members something better than other clubs offer their members.

In light of their previous intransigence to review this matter I would hope that all members write to the club and express their disappointment with the items given to become a financial member, that suggesting we donate the scarf/beanie/cap back to the club is a terrible cop-out, and to raise the bar so that St Kilda members become the envy of the rest of the comp!

[degruch]

Fair amount of bin fodder, and I got a cap instead of the requested beanie. At least they got my name right this year

[Sainternist]

I took issue with Saints Membership and Marketing teams last year about the poor membership pack in 2018 and again this year about 2019, in particular the quality of some of the smaller bits and pieces which are more appropriate for kids than adults. In my case, living in Brisbane I did not appreciate the advice that we could donate the stuff back to the club because in essence my annual fees, without any games held in Brisbane, are in essence a donation to the club anyway.

When I renewed my membership for 2020 a month or so ago I spoke with the senior membership manager and reiterated my disappointment with the choice of either a scarf, cap or beanie, as I have a collection of these already, and suggested the club think outside the square and come up with some items that offer greater variety, such as a training T-shirt and cap - lightweight and far more suitable for warmer climates.

In 2018 I was told that St Kilda follows the lead of most other AFL clubs sourcing their products from the one supplier for the membership packs, to which I responded that it showed a total lack of initiative and inventiveness by my footy club to offer our members something better than other clubs offer their members.

In light of their previous intransigence to review this matter I would hope that all members write to the club and express their disappointment with the items given to become a financial member, that suggesting we donate the scarf/beanie/cap back to the club is a terrible cop-out, and to raise the bar so that St Kilda members become the envy of the rest of the comp!

Yeah can’t say I’m keen on the knickknacks which inevitably become landfill. To me, that plastic tote bag is just anti-environment. Perhaps a more environmentally-friendly membership pack could be the way to go in the future.

You’re spot on with the club’s membership and marketing teams just following the leads of the bigger clubs.

[barneyboyz]

I got mine yesterday, and to be quite honest all I was interested in was the little card with Gresh on it and the scarf.

I got a shirt this year and was fairly surprised that it fits perfect. This isn't always the case for me unfortunately, with online purchases etc

[Secret Kiel]

Sanctorum your comments re AFL clubs sourcing their products from the same source is exhibit A that you don't support your club, you support a franchise. all the show bags are full the same cheap Chinese crap, just different colour. All memberships are a donation to the AFL, think of it as an entertainment tax.

[Sanctorum]

Sanctorum your comments re AFL clubs sourcing their products from the same source is exhibit A that you don't support your club, you support a franchise. all the show bags are full the same cheap Chinese crap, just different colour. All memberships are a donation to the AFL, think of it as an entertainment tax.

I agree with your cynicism SK but I don't believe we should take this sort of attitude and response from the club lying down - I'm quite confident that if enough members make their dissatisfaction with the items in the membership packs known to the club then something will get done. At the end of September I wrote to the club as follows:

"Having been a paid up member for many decades, and about to renew for 2020, I would like to ask the decision makers at the club to give further consideration to what the club offers members in the membership pack choices.

It is all very well to say to us that if we don't want yet another scarf, cap or beanie that we donate this, as I was advised when I called today, but surely you can be a bit more imaginative and creative and offer something different for a change!

For instance, I would much prefer either a lightweight training cap or "sweat-free" T shirt that I can wear running.....how good would that be in all of the fun runs we do every year, like the Gold Coast Half marathon to show my support for the Mighty Saints!

I raised this issue in 2018 and was told that St Kilda offer what other clubs offer - well, that's not a satisfactory response as far as I'm concerned - the attitude of "like it or lump it" is weak and simply not good enough!

It is high time that the Marketing executives at my footy club start to look outside the square, don't just slavishly follow what other clubs do : set the pace, get some excitement factors in the member choice items, so that we can take pride in the fact that our footy club raises the bar in rewarding members for their continued support and loyalty!!!"

The response from the club was that they base their choice of items from the annual membership survey.

Subsequently I have corresponded with Hayden Percival, who I felt was far more open to looking at other options - I suggest that if members are prepared to communicate in similar vein to myself, his contact details are as follows:

Hayden Percival
Proud Member since 2014
Member Experience Executive
St Kilda Football Club
RSEA Park

32-60 Linton Street, Moorabbin, Victoria 3189
Tel: 1300 467 246 Mob: 0410 489 452 Email: Hayden.Percival@saints.com.au

I really hope that as many members as possible get in touch with the club about this matter because I for one am not going to let up on this until we achieve real change...

[Secret Kiel]

my point was merely stating that AFL clubs are just proxies for the AFL franchise and the reason they purchase merch in bulk is a very common corporate practice to reduce operating costs by maximising purchasing power and centralising stock management. This by extension makes the marketing executives at your footy club nothing more than young clerical workers for head office.

Don't get me wrong, I understand your frustration but you are farting at thunder. If you want to be listened to the join a local suburban club. But if you feel really passionate about knocking Hayden Percival of his perch then protest on line out in the public and hope that you gain large support, communicating to him and his likes via phone and email will just get you lip service.

[shanegrambeau]

Over 8000 KMS from Moorabbin it isn't likely I'll be a member. But to see this, that generic plastic goods, all supplied from the one mob, (no doubt with a nice contract, perhaps ensuring their Monopoly) doesn't bode well for the future relevence of clubs and the AFL in general. Like the generic crappy food served in grounds, again from one supplier probably on an exclusivity contract, it really doesn't reach out beyond it's own established little nest of friends.

Wouldn't it be good if they got Bayside and St Kilda based products, unique too, to include in these packs? Telling you that 'we just follow the lead', is dismal and won't spread our game or club to new people, or lapsed supporters who now have many more choices.

[roskilde]

I always dislike getting all the rubbish they send. It's so cheap and tacky. I'd trade it all in for a nice fitted Saints baseball cap if given the choice.

[asiu]

we could collect up all our old scarves
‘n have em sewn into 2 x banners
for the girls to run through
for the first game back at linton st

[saynta]

A female friend sewed all her hawks scarfs together for a bed quilt.

Now I know they are s*** colours but a plan is a plan.

[asiu]

very true

a plan is a plan.

(at least it’ll stop em whinging)

AND
ya gotta have one
before you can change it

[asiu]

we nearly pulled that plan off
with the signed flags for Banger

there were 3 of them going round the country
via aussie post

hopefully , Snoops (snoopygirl)
has all 3 in her care
or knows where they are

[Sainternist]

A female friend sewed all her hawks scarfs together for a bed quilt.

Now I know they are s*** colours but a plan is a plan.

Indeed, terrible colours, particularly for a bed spread. But kudos to her for being creative and resourceful. I think turning my leftover membership scarves into a living room rug or throw-over thing for the couch could be the way to go haha

[Enrico_Misso]

The beanie seems pretty good - hopefully I will wear it for a few years before global warming renders it useless.

But what is that clear bag meant to be used for?

[bobmurray]

I do like my new 2020 members cap. I forgot I was wearing it today when I filled up my car at the servo, until the lady at the next pump told me I was wearing a horrible cap, I said , is that right and she said, yeah, it'd be better if you took the red out and I said , what a load of bollocks. End of conversation.

[Kilda]

Tote bag over transparent plastic bag? YES!

[Laurie]

Dont you just love our new scarf coloors .
Another marketing balls up. LOL
RED GREY and BLACK WTF

[WellardSaint]

Do we get a cushion as well?