Searchlight Logo
special_image

    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
    • News
      • Front Page
      • News
      • Breaking News
      • Press Release
      • Features
      • Special Features
      • From the Courts
      • Sports
      • Regional / World
    • Opinions
      • Editorial
      • Our Readers’ Opinions
      • Bassy – Love Vine
      • Dr. Fraser- Point of View
      • R. Rose – Eye of the Needle
      • On Target
      • Dr Jozelle Miller
      • The World Around Us
      • Random Thoughts
    • Advice
      • Kitchen Corner
      • What’s on Fleek this week
      • Health Wise
      • Physician’s Weekly
      • Business Buzz
      • Hey Rosie!
      • Prime the pump
    • ePaper
    • Obituaries
      • In Memoriam / Acknowledgement
      • Tribute
    • Contact Us
      • Advertise With Us
      • Letters To The Editor
      • General Contact Information
      • Contact our Webmaster
    • About Us
      • Interactive Media Ltd
      • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
    • Subscribe
On Target
November 16, 2018

How to bring back the crowds?

National sporting associations here, are faced with the reality that it is not a given to get spectators to attend their events.

Most, if not all, are at their wits end, to woe persons through the gates of the various venues when hosting competitions/tournaments/activities.

Whilst these associations grapple with the problem of reasonable attendance, area committees who organize competitions in their respective communities, are assured of near bumper crowds at their events.

However, events which are organised at the community levels, are flavoured with entertainment packages, hence, attract not necessarily sports enthusiasts, but persons who are the feters.
Therefore, national associations are in a bind, as their main objective is to get spectators whose attendance would help fuel the sporting disciplines. In short, the purists are their target group.
But the reality of this conundrum is compounded by the fact that sports in St Vincent and the Grenadines, does not have the spectator appeal anymore, so efforts to up attendance, have to be redoubled.

This is against the backdrop that persons need not have to leave their homes to attend a sporting event, as there are several other international options to choose from, whether on television, or via the many technological platforms which are available.

Added, there are other outlets of indulgence at persons’ desires to utilise their time, rather than attend a sporting function.

So whilst we bemoan the performances of some of our representative teams, the situation is not bettered, when at the local level, players do not get the crowd support to act as that fillip.

National sports associations especially, the ones who are mainly hurt by this drop off, have to be more creative in their public relations and selling of their activities.

Hence, in this planning and execution, it cannot be the pure sporting activity that must be sold, but an event worth attending.

Persons today, because of the change in appeal, are no longer interested in simply showing up at a sporting activity, but must have a pull factor. Packages, incentives and other tangible attractions have to part of the marketing strategies.

Simply making announcements of one’s fixtures, via the various sports bulletins on local radio and television stations, can no longer cut it.

All media platforms have to be engaged to get information out, not only keep persons in the know, but get them to attend and participate in the events.

Similarly, affiliate teams / clubs who participate in the various national competitions, must themselves begin to market themselves, especially through social media, which is the in-thing at this time.

Teams/ clubs which are homogenous in nature, have again “to build a vibe” among persons from their locale, and view their participation as beneficial to the spirit and betterment of the community from which these teams/ clubs emerge.

Additionally, these teams/clubs must engage others in the community and make it an inclusive operation, where that sense of ownership and belonging is fostered.

Players as well have to begin to market themselves; invite their friends to matches, and constantly be promoting their team as well.

Too, national sports associations should begin to plan in unison, so as to prevent clashes, thus giving one another the biggest share of the public’s attention.

It cannot be seen as competition, but each association working together, share best practices, all for the enhancement of sports in St Vincent and the Grenadines.

In making such suggestions through this medium, it must be borne in mind that, we will not relive the past when following national competitions and national teams was a given, thus ensuring maximum spectatorship and support.

What is pertinent, is that efforts are made to place sports as a viable social avenue, where our communities can move away from segregation, thereby assisting our young people to discover that sense of identity and self-worth.

To get to the main aim of getting the crowds back to sporting events, by employing all pathways possible though, the national sporting orgnisations too, have to be mindful of their civic responsibilities, and not deviate from the social norms.

  • FacebookComments
  • ALSO IN THE NEWS
    Mexico in turmoil  after cartel boss killed
    Regional / World
    Mexico in turmoil after cartel boss killed
    Webmaster 
    February 24, 2026
    Members of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), one of the most powerful and feared criminal organisations in Mexico, have unleashed a wave of vi...
    New Board nominees under scrutiny
    Front Page
    New Board nominees under scrutiny
    Webmaster 
    February 24, 2026
    INFORMATION on the composition of the Boards of Statutory and Quasi- government bodies was released at the weekend in the public domain and has been d...
    US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to attend CARICOM Heads Meeting
    Front Page
    US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to attend CARICOM Heads Meeting
    Webmaster 
    February 24, 2026
    S SECRETARY of State Marco Rubio, will travel to St Kitts and Nevis on Wednesday, February 25, 2026 to participate in the 50th Regular Meeting of the ...
    PM Dr Godwin Friday heads 7-member delegation to CARICOM Heads Meeting
    Press Release
    PM Dr Godwin Friday heads 7-member delegation to CARICOM Heads Meeting
    Webmaster 
    February 24, 2026
    THE STAGE IS SET for what has been billed as one of the most significant gatherings in Caribbean history- the 50th Regular Meeting of the Conference o...
    John dominates in the All-Leeward Athletics Championship
    Front Page
    John dominates in the All-Leeward Athletics Championship
    Webmaster 
    February 24, 2026
    SENIOR LONG-DISTANCE athlete Kesiann John of Central Leeward Secondary School (CLSS) delivered an outstanding performance at the annual All-Leewards A...
    Gonsalves celebrates 32 years as representative for North Central Windward
    Front Page
    Gonsalves celebrates 32 years as representative for North Central Windward
    Webmaster 
    February 24, 2026
    FORMER PRIME MINISTER and Leader of the Opposition in St.Vincent and the Grenadines Dr. Ralph Gonsalves, on Saturday, February 21, 2026, celebrated 32...
    News
    HM Prisoners to launch book of Poetry and Prose
    News
    HM Prisoners to launch book of Poetry and Prose
    Webmaster 
    February 24, 2026
    HOBO JUNGLE PRESS will launch “Written: Poetry and Prose by Inmates of His Majesty’s Prisons, St. Vincent and the Grenadines” at the University of the...
    Minister welcomes plans to raise Age of Consent
    News
    Minister welcomes plans to raise Age of Consent
    Webmaster 
    February 24, 2026
    MINISTER OF FAMILY, Gender Affairs, Persons with Disabilities and Labour, Laverne Gibson-Velox, has commended the government’s commitment to increasin...
    East Kingstown MP promises to improve road at Dorsetshire Hill
    News
    East Kingstown MP promises to improve road at Dorsetshire Hill
    Webmaster 
    February 24, 2026
    MINISTER OF FOREIGN Affairs and Member of Parliament for East Kingstown, Fitzgerald Bramble, says long-standing issues with the roads in Dorsetshire H...
    Opposition Leader misled the people of North Central  Windward – Senator Neptune
    News
    Opposition Leader misled the people of North Central Windward – Senator Neptune
    Webmaster 
    February 20, 2026
    The candidate for the victorious New Democratic Party in the 2025 general elections, Chieftan Neptune has claimed Opposition Leader Dr. Ralph Gonsalve...
    Young men await sentencing following brawl in Kingstown
    News
    Young men await sentencing following brawl in Kingstown
    Webmaster 
    February 20, 2026
    Three teenagers and a 23-year-old who were charged following a violent brawl in Kingstown on Friday, February 13, 2026 appeared in court on Tuesday, F...

    E-EDITION
    ePaper
    google_play
    app_store
    Subscribe Now
    • Interactive Media Ltd. • P.O. Box 152 • Kingstown • St. Vincent and the Grenadines • Phone: 784-456-1558 © Copyright Interactive Media Ltd.. All rights reserved.
    We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok