AFL club membership costs reach new heights Andrew Wiles, Tom Baldock
From: Herald Sun
January 10, 2013 FOOTY fans are being forced to dig deeper to face rising membership costs for 2013.
All but two of the AFL's Victorian clubs have raised the cost of family membership packages for the 2013 season.
Carlton fans face the most financial pain as their family package has increased by 6 per cent since last year - up $23 to $400.
Many young Western Bulldogs members are also being hit with a 30 per cent fee increase.
The club has streamlined two junior packages - previously costing $50 and $95 - into one $65 package.
Western Bulldogs cheer squad member Steve Smith and his two children have renewed their club memberships for 2013, but he says it is becoming too expensive.
"Everything at the footy costs so much now, with the cost of travel, food and membership, I expect that some families will say 'we'll stop going'," he said.
"Last season my brother didn't renew his membership. He's got young kids and couldn't make every game, so he was worried that he wasn't getting value for his money."
Melbourne family memberships have been raised $20 for the third consecutive season, now costing $425.
Melbourne spokesman Ryan Larkin said the price rise was in line with increases across other packages.
"Our annual pricing decisions are based on the economic times, the market and the needs of our members and the club," he said.
The family memberships of Collingwood, Hawthorn, North Melbourne, Richmond and the Western Bulldogs have also all increased by $10 or more.
Geelong family package increases only went up by $6, but will still cost $398.
Geelong spokesman Kevin Diggerson put this down to rising AFL service costs. "The increases are reflective of increasing costs across the membership and ticketing business of the AFL," he said.
St Kilda family memberships have been reduced by $7, now costing $388 for the season.
The Saints were the only Victorian club to reduce any general membership fees.
And Essendon's basic memberships have stayed the same for 2013, with their family package being frozen at $545. But they remain the most expensive Victorian club as they include reserved seating in basic packages.
Note: All memberships include card. Most 11-game memberships admit to home games and include voting rights (over 18s) and priority access to weeks 1-3 finals tickets. A family includes two adults and two children (except Hathorn, Melbourne, Richmond which allow up to four children). Juniors must be under 15 at January 1, 2013. Unless reserved seats are purchased game entry is subject to capacity. Finals ticket access/priority is if your team competes. Some membership package items, eg magazines, one per household. Clubs also offer invitations to functions and family days.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-club-membership-costs-reach-new-heights/story-fndv7pj3-1226550697806
