Eels, Raiders, Sharks, Storm, and Tigers leading the charge in membership drive

AS OF Sunday, 302,018 members have committed to their clubs this year. That figure eclipses last year’s full-season total of 301,828.

Memberships continue to grow despite poor crowds Picture: JERAD WILLIAMS

THE NRL has cracked an all-time membership record just halfway into the season.

As of Sunday, 302,018 members have committed to their clubs this year. That figure eclipses last year’s full-season total of 301,828.

The Eels, Raiders, Sharks, Storm, and Tigers are leading the charge and, for the second year in a row, will break their previous records.

The Tigers’ figures are the most remarkable — an increase of 16 per cent — despite the internal dramas and the team’s woeful form.

Another incredible performer is Newcastle, who have grown their membership by 7 per cent despite having the wooden spoon and struggling for much of this season.

NRL boss Todd Greenberg said it’s a great reward for the clubs and their marketing efforts.

“Having passionate and loyal members for all of our clubs has been a focus of the NRL over a number of years,” he said.

UPGRADE: Griffin to be rewarded with extension

Raiders are one of the clubs leading the charge in membership numbers.

“It has been heartening to see steady growth in that time, culminating in the latest figures.”

The biggest concern for the NRL is an 18 per cent drop in New ­Zealand with the Warriors.

The Panthers (down 11 per cent), the Bulldogs (down nine) and the Rabbitohs, also down nine per cent, are the biggest areas of concern.

Despite the overall healthy increase, crowd figures remain a real concern.

The average crowd figure is the lowest since 2004.

So much for the independent commission’s strategic plan and the goal of having an average crowd of 20,000 by 2017.

It is now 15,007.

In fairness, the NRL hasn’t been helped this season by poor weather.

Still, it was particularly embarrassing for the code on Friday night when only 7163 fans turned up at ANZ Stadium (leaving a backdrop of 75,000 empty seats) for the South Sydney Rabbitohs’ 36-20 victory over the Gold Coast Titans.

Originally published as Eels, Raiders, Sharks, Storm, and Tigers leading the charge in membership drive