The Broncos, Roosters, Storm and Wests Tigers have registered their first wins of the 2012 Telstra Premiership season today, taking out the annual Membership Premiership race which saw more than 27,000 new fans join their favourite NRL Clubs in the past 20 days.
The Membership Premiership race pitted the 16 NRL Clubs against each other in four separate four-team battles to determine which club could sign up the most members from February 4-24.
The NRL today announced that a total of 27,239 Rugby League fans became new members during the Membership Premiership promotion, with 5000 signing in the last 24 hours as the battles intensified.
The Broncos signed the most new members overall (4017), to claim one of the four $10,000 prizes to assist each of the winning clubs with their membership programs. The winners are:
Battle of the Beaches (Roosters, Titans, Sharks, Sea Eagles)
GROUP TOTAL: 4,783
WINNER: Roosters 1,682
Battle of the Heavyweights (Dragons, Broncos, Rabbitohs, Knights)
GROUP TOTAL: 11,158
WINNER: Broncos 4017
Battle of the Inner City Showdown (Raiders, Warriors, Storm, Cowboys)
GROUP TOTAL: 3,864
WINNER: Storm 1,204
Battle of the West (Bulldogs, Panthers, Wests Tigers, Eels)
GROUP TOTAL: 7,434
WINNER: Wests Tigers 2,004
Australian Rugby League Commission Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop, congratulated all NRL Clubs on their efforts to get their fans on board for the 2012 season which kicks off next Thursday, March 1.
“There is a lot for our fans to be excited about this season so it great to see so many of them sign up to support their favourite clubs over the past three weeks,” Mr Gallop said.
“The excitement keeps building towards kick-off next week from the All Stars event earlier this month, to the Community Carnival which ended on Tuesday and reached over 115,000 children and our season launch on Wednesday.
“Today sees the extension of our advertising campaign as we take ‘Our House’ to the streets of Sydney with three major billboards and goalposts going up at Sydney Airport.
“I have no doubt the fans, players and everyone involved in the game can’t wait for this Thursday and the rugby league season to get underway for 2012.”
Broncos Chief Executive, Mr Paul White, said his club is proud at the way Brisbane fans got behind them to take out the Battle of the Heavyweights race.
“Taking on powerhouses like the Dragons, Knights and Rabbitohs is no easy task,” he said.
“But our fans have shown their excitement is peaking as we get ready for the kick-off of the 2012 NRL season.
“It will be a wonderful lift for the players to know the supporters are behind them in such a vibrant way.”
Roosters captain Braith Anasta said his club is “stoked” to have won the Battle of the Beaches ahead of the Titans, Sharks and Premiership-winning Sea Eagles.
“On behalf of everyone at the Sydney Roosters, thanks to ALL our members who have joined up so far,” Anasta said.
“We’re ‘all in all season’ - it’s not just the players but our members that make us one strong team.
“Sydney Roosters Members are really important to the club and membership is the best way for supporters to show their loyalty.”
