What's wrong with the Singapore Slingers? Part 2 of the Trilogy Series

Ok, I was suppose to share my experiences about the HSBC Women's golf championships - A bunch of men following women through 18 holes, I guess people would want to read that more than blogging about a losing basketball team. But instead I should do what's morally right, than falling to public expectations. But hey I don't get much readership anyway. If you have to...go read Jason's entry about the event, he managed to steal some nice shots on the golf course.

Will get serious about this and lose the pictures, and have just lots of words, so that people actually fall asleep reading this entry.

What's wrong with the Singapore Slingers? Actually ain't much. Just a few key points - Firstly they do not get enough local media attention as compared to the other NBL teams in the league. Perhaps if our local media pays just half as much attention on them as compared to the soccer leagues such as EPL or the S. League. The Singapore Slingers could actually get a shot at filling up the stadium for a match.

Even with a million dollars on the line, this is all the coverage we got (source from Nic):

2 articles from Straits Times and Zaobao, and 6 mentions from the following radio stations:

* Power 98 FM - 7am (14 secs)
* Class 95 FM - 9am (17 secs)
* 938 LIVE - 6.35am (1 min 6 secs)
* 91.3 FM - 7am (16 secs)
* 88.3 Jia FM - 7am (24 secs)
* 98.7 FM - 8.55am (56 secs)

1. The Straits Times, 14 Feb - Slingers are second last, page 12

The article touched on results of the game and highlighted the Million Dollar Shot segment. It also featured a colour photo of Rod Grizzard in action.

2. Lianhe Zaobao, 14 Feb - Singapore Slingers defeated, page 15

The article featured results of the game.

3. CNA Coverage

There was also coverage on the CNA website that can be found here: . Although the cameraman was present at the game, however, by the time the studio received the footage all their slots for the evening had been filled.

Well the bloggers who were present probably had more coverage than our local media.
But as we all know, unless you are paying to get attention, there's no such thing as free publicity unless the public wants to know, and wants to read/hear about it. That's the laws of demand at work. But to think we are going for the 2010 Youth Olympics, our local media seriously needs to pull up their socks.

So the key missing point from the Slingers line up is awareness.
People need to become more aware of the Slingers. There should also be more opportunities to allow chances to create awareness - this sound complicated, but what I am trying to say is that Slingers marketing guys need to create opportunities for people to talk or write about it. Sensationalized articles such as the Million Dollar shots, Shane Macdonald as Cleo's 50 most eligible bachelor, etc.

Singapore Slingers are alcoholic friendly and photography friendly!

Did you know Singapore Slingers at the indoor stadium is the only place where you can have your booze indoor and watch a game? It's cooling and you can order beer and wine as you watch your game (just remember: drink don't drive). Perhaps soccer fans get too violent after booze - just follow the EPL fans brawling record, you know I am right. Basketball is usually a tamer sport lest you have Ron Artest and Dennis Rodman on the court. People who want to pick up sports photography should also be encouraged to come for games as we are allowed to take pictures!The other bloggers had many ideas such as creating contests or be a cheerleader or waterboy for a day etc.I would gladly try it out - because they have the best seats at the courtside for free.


Next pointer I would like to give is rather frank and it might hurt - Get a good coach, a coach that knows what it takes to win. With wins, you will automatically gain media attention, you will gain more fans, more converts-from-critics. You will gain respect, more exciting games, more following. But I also hope that the coach gets free play - to choose his team, to coach his ways, his style, ability to bench the players etc. Not sure what the current arrangement is, but it should be that way. Perhaps like in the movie "Invincible" - open up the opportunity for locals to try out for the team, let them go through the training camps before the season start. I would go try for it! Though I know at least 200 better local players in Singapore than me..actually there probably are 20,000 better local players than me, but I don't really know them. Haha

Watch out for the concluding episode of "What's wrong with the Singapore Slingers?"