Maroons launch 18th Man

Maroons launch 18th Man

The Queensland Rugby League are expanding the Maroons family with the launch of our new fan campaign – 18th Man.

The brainchild of record-breaking XXXX Queensland Maroons coach Mal Meninga – this new concept will see all our fans, supporters and Maroon Members unite under the one umbrella during State of Origin time.

The passion of Queensland fans is legendary; so much so – Meninga thought it was only fitting to have them included as an extra member of the team.

“Every time we play, every time we run onto the field for an Origin match, all our fans are our 18th Man,” Meninga said.

“They sit on the bench, sit on the sidelines and cheer for us and they cheer at the right times and stick with us through the tough times.

“Origin is a unique time of year, it is a special time for everybody, not only our players; but for our fans in the state of Queensland.

“If you are an 18th Man, you are helping the team, you are with the team and you are supporting the team in their quest to win the series.

“It is recognising the fans.”

While all supporters will now come under the one banner – you can still select your level of commitment as there is something to suit everyone. It is easy for every Maroon fan to become our 18th Man.

18th Man includes:

· Fans who are Members (Ticketed, Non-Ticketed, Pet and Baby)

· Fans who attend home or away games

· Fans who wear maroon with pride

· Fans who are also participate at the grassroots level of the game (players/coaches/volunteers)

Just in time for Game I this Wednesday, all our away supporters in 2015 who have bought into the dedicated Maroons bays in both Sydney and Melbourne will receive an 18th Man supporters’ shirt and wig.

There is no doubt the Maroons team will embrace the support in Sydney of the fans who show their colours while in enemy territory.

As new partners of the Queensland Rugby League; Jupiters Hotel & Casino and Treasury Casino & Hotel have provided a further boost for fans by becoming the major partner for 18th Man.

A range of exciting initiatives and activations at the two properties will be announced shortly to drive an even closer bond between the Maroons and their supporters.

Do more than get behind your Maroons – join the team and be our 18th Man.

http://www.qrl.com.au/

Great idea to unify everything and make it official and professional.

But... 18th man is such a generic name.

Bulldogs did it years ago.

http://wa1.www.bulldogs.com.au/conte...4840-image.gif

Maroons add fans to their bench

Maroons forward Sam Thaiday helped to launch Queensland's '18th Man' fan concept. Credit: QRL Media. Copyright: QRL Media.
A sea of blue wigs has made ANZ Stadium something of a Holden State of Origin graveyard for the Queenslanders but the XXXX Maroons have made a move to mobilise their own fans with the launch of the 18th Man campaign.

Maroons coach Mal Meninga and back-rower Sam Thaiday were flanked by the Queensland players named to represent their state in Game One of the 2015 Holden State of Origin Series – including 18th man Dylan Napa – as details of the new fan engagement were released.

All away supporters who have bought into dedicated Maroon bays for the opening two games of the Series in Sydney and Melbourne will receive an 18th Man supporter's shirt and wig but the 18th Man concept will stretch to include members, those who attend home or away games, fans who wear Maroon with pride and those who participate in the grassroots levels of rugby league throughout Queensland.

Inspired to come up with the concept after a visit to 2014 NFL champions the Seattle Seahawks, Meninga said that is was integral to the success of the Maroons that the fans felt very much part of the experience.

"We've got a team of 17 that run on in every Origin game and obviously our supporters and fan base is very important so we've given it a name – the 18th Man – and now the members, supporters and fan groups will come under the same banner," said Meninga.

"Whether we're away or at home the supporters do make a huge difference, particularly our fans up here in Queensland. They cheer at the right time and yell out the 'Queenslander' call when we're doing it a bit tough and the players do react positively to it."

As the Maroons endeavour to win back the State of Origin shield with two games away from their spiritual home at Suncorp Stadium, Thaiday said the visible support of Queensland fans in the stands at ANZ Stadium and the MCG will be a big boost.

"We are travelling away from home where our huge supporter base is here in Queensland so the more people we can get supporting us down there wearing the shirts and wigs it helps that much having the crowd cheering us on," Thaiday said.

"The boys are behind it, I'm behind it and big Malcolm is behind it too."

http://www.nrl.com/maroons-add-fans-...4/default.aspx

Just receiving my "18th Man" email from the English RFL about their jersey announcement made me realise how mindless and uncreative this name is... So generic.