For the last 3 years we have been very fortunate to be able to attract international teams from Australia, the UK, New Zealand and Jamaica to visit Jacksonville for training camps and games. The partnerships they have created and progress the Axemen and Rugby League has gained in the local area go beyond measure and to all those who helped make each event possible, we are sincerely thankful.
2009 was a tough year around the globe and sporting teams are no exception. Overall revenue streams are down for Rugby League teams around the world and the teams that visit here each year, like the Axemen, are no exception to this trend. Due to the financial impact and in some cases the change in the exchange rate for some countries, it will not be viable for any of the international teams that have traditionally visited us in January to return this year. Yes we have contacted them all and also others that we thought may have an interest and/or consider it a viable pre-season option.
To be honest, the Axemen along with all of them, hold the view that this is a year to show loyalty to the faithful fans of our individual teams. The fans and sponsors are the lifeblood of any sports team and ultimately they are the ones that the financial burden will fall upon. So this is the year to stay close to home for as many things as possible. It is the year to trim luxuries like overseas training camps and expensive pre-season exhibition matches. It is the year to show your fans that you are doing everything you can as a team to keep any cost that will ultimately be passed on in ticket prices, sponsorship fees, etc, as low as possible and let them know that we are all in this together and all trying to do our bit. Leeds for instance are staying in England, Salford are also staying home and Souths will be at home in Australia.
The Axemen are no exception to this mind set for 2010. Although our operation is by no means on the same scale as a large professional club, we are taking any steps we can to streamline our operation so that ticket prices and concessions have minimal, if any, increase at all while still operating the team and fulfilling our goals of increasing our brand in the local market and increasing our game day attendance, and also winning the National Championship. Like all the global teams, we believe that this is the year to keep the faith of the loyal fans by doing our bit!
HOWEVER - Although we are not able to confirm and the following ventures are still in the offer stage, we have submitted a bid to host the Irish team to travel to Jacksonville in March to play the USA Tomahawks and we are also working with the New Zealand and West Yorkshire (UK) police team in regards to potential tours to the USA later in 2010. We will announce any news about these potential events if they get beyond the invite stage. Once again the current economy is the major factor for all large events that involve international travel.
We hope you all understand and support our view in this matter. For those in Jacksonville, how would you feel if the Jaguars decided to hold train their training camp in Hawaii for 2010? Really not the year to be seen as buying luxuries?