[CagedMonky]

http://www.crocketteers.com/2009/06/...-crocketteers/

In order to form a more perfect union and reach our stated goal of bringing a professional soccer team to San Antonio we are going to need a plan. To that end, we are begging you to suggest any ideas you have for furthering our cause, be it through get togethers at places like the Lion and the Rose, or playing pickup games of soccer.

We have created a thread in our forum for you to submit ideas, and discuss the submitted ideas. We would just ask that you remember that we are all sharing a goal, so don’t attack other Crocketteers (anyone else is free game). Arguing about the merits is one thing, but saying an idea is just stupid isn’t acceptable. We would also like to try and find people willing to put some of these ideas into motion, as the work required to bring our dreams to fruition is beyond what any handful of individuals can do.

[HailtotheKing]

While I can't actively contribue to the said events at the moment (being in Maryland makes it kinda hard), I do belive that "pub meetings" and say a monthly pick up match on a Saturday would be good first steps in the organization.

Nobody will take the group seriously unless the group itself is solid first. Those that are willing to start from day one should be the ones willing to get these things going. They don't have to be big events, but they do need to happen. That way, when things/word start getting out the people that look in can see that the group is a whole dedicated to a larger purpose.

I strongly feel that meeting at a pub for certain matches (or just for shooting the shit) and having a monthly (or whatever) pick up match would be a perfect way to start. These are two things that the majority would probably do anyway. Put it to a bigger cause.

From there I feel that doing these things would lead to an actual "official" event of the same nature. Buy a tiny radio spot or internet ad that has a "match watching event hosted by the Crocketteers" or "local pick up soccer hosted by the Crocketteers" ..... get the legs under, and then use them to walk a bit.

[Danilo-11]

Here's my ideas:


I believe that the most important thing that we have to do is grow in numbers,
the only thing that I think we have done to grow in numbers is the facebook page.
But we want to give people something that will keep them active with the Crocketteers.

What can the Crocketteers give to people:
- Soccer kick-arounds and small soccer tournaments.
The important thing for this is to get permission to play somewhere (keep in mind that there's LOTS of people already playing almost everyday at the Medical Center, right on the corner of Babcock Rd & Merton Minter Dr.)
- Get together to watch soccer games
The important thing is to have a place with a nice big screen and most importantly to get cheap beer. If we have those 2 things, everybody will go to it.
- Road trips to watch professional soccer games
Is more fun and cheaper to travel in a van/bus full of friends to a soccer game in Austin, Houston or Dallas (Someday we can look into going to Monterrey) than to travel by car.
The key is to find somebody that owns a van/bus or to work out a good deal with a bus company to take us and bring us back.
- The last thing, promotion, work out a deal with a company that makes banners to get at least one Crocketters.com banner and just like in a professional game, put the banner up on the side for everybody to see. The more people that see it, the better.
I'd try to do the exact same thing at whatever bar is picked to watch the games, put a nice sign/poster up and let everybody know that the group that is there is the Crocketters.

And for the soccer tournaments (when we have lots of people to organize a soccer tournament) charge everybody as little as possible BUT charge them to make the "Crocketters Soccer Tournament" t-shirt that we would give them to promote the group.

The important thing is to give people something to keep them excited about getting together with the Crocketteers "again".
In the future, once the group is doing good, we should get in contact with the indoor places that hold soccer tournaments, for example http://www.aztecindoorsoccer.com/ and ask them if they can put up a Crocketteers banner on their walls.

Why is all of that important?
In politics, if you don't show "the numbers" nobody will listen to you.
Instead, if you show that the organization has X number of members, people are more likely to listen to you.

[CagedMonky]

Originally Posted by HailtotheKing

While I can't actively contribue to the said events at the moment (being in Maryland makes it kinda hard), I do belive that "pub meetings" and say a monthly pick up match on a Saturday would be good first steps in the organization.

Nobody will take the group seriously unless the group itself is solid first. Those that are willing to start from day one should be the ones willing to get these things going. They don't have to be big events, but they do need to happen. That way, when things/word start getting out the people that look in can see that the group is a whole dedicated to a larger purpose.

I strongly feel that meeting at a pub for certain matches (or just for shooting the shit) and having a monthly (or whatever) pick up match would be a perfect way to start. These are two things that the majority would probably do anyway. Put it to a bigger cause.

From there I feel that doing these things would lead to an actual "official" event of the same nature. Buy a tiny radio spot or internet ad that has a "match watching event hosted by the Crocketteers" or "local pick up soccer hosted by the Crocketteers" ..... get the legs under, and then use them to walk a bit.

My wife works for clear channel radio in particular Sports Radio Ticket 760... :P

[CagedMonky]

An idea I'm already implementing was to get in contact with the new mayor. He accepted my friend request on facebook as did his brother Joaquin Castro (State Rep). I've invited them to join our facebook group. Once I hear from them, maybe I can talk to him at the very least through email about the subject of pro soccer in our city.

Kyle also is working on getting with former Mayor Ed Garza.

[Danilo-11]

I think the easiest thing to do would be to pick a place to watch 1 soccer game every Saturday.

[HailtotheKing]

Originally Posted by CagedMonky

My wife works for clear channel radio in particular Sports Radio Ticket 760... :P

That's what I'm talking about

[Sandman]

I think one idea that can help bring awareness to the group, watch parties, pick-up games, etc. is to look into starting a weekly or biweekly email newsletter, sort of like Jen Cooper does with Keeper Notes for the Houston area.

The newsletter provides information such as weekly events, local games/tournaments, soccer related job openings, etc. It is sent out to local soccer associations and soccer related businesses. It may be directly increase participation but at least it will help connect the local soccer community.

[Chowda]

Start posting Twitter updates for your blog posts. All bloggers are doing that now and it makes it easier for people with a passive interest with SA soccer to keep tabs.

[dberch]

My friends and I have used vuvuzelas at college football games before and I feel like when SA does get their team, we need to have as many horns as possible. http://www.soccerhorn.com/

YouTube - Blow that Vuvuzela

YouTube - Blow that Vuvuzela