Supporters club determined to continue

The Otago Rugby Supporters Club will continue but it is stuck deep inside its own territory and struggling to get out.

The club had its annual meeting in Dunedin on Monday night and president Irene Todd said the club was determined to continue but it was not easy.

In the good times about 20 years ago, the club had about 900 members and a thriving clubrooms at Carisbrook.

But as times have changed with a move to night rugby and different drinking patterns, membership has dropped.

President Irene Todd said the club would continue to battle on. It had about 60 members, which included 10 life members.

She said the club was looking at initiatives but it was a constant battle. The club had to offer something different and needed to attract new members.

The organisation had moved to a room near Forsyth Barr Stadium after leaving Carisbrook and then went to rooms in the south stand at the stadium.

The club now has a bar outside gate E at the stadium, which was provided by DVML.

Todd said it was well attended during games played by the Highlanders.

Games played by Otago were not as well patronised, she said. The club did not get any income from the drink sold at the bar.

The bar was open 90 minutes before a game and 90 minutes after the game.

Otago was not alone in its drop of membership.

She said most supporters clubs around the country were also struggling. 

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