Swannies Memberships

[simone]

To those of you who have swans memberships,
what type of one do you have and how did you choose one over the other?
Is it an advantage to have a reserved seat over the use of the members reserve?

[Bart]

Re: Swannies Memberships

I have full membership concourse reserve.

Advantages
- sit with same group of people every week. have made lots of new friends over the years that sit around us
- no need to get there early to secure seat
- I like concourse as it's close to the action
- I sit on the O'Reilly side on the wing, so its normally nice and warm on Sunday's, however sunnies and a hat are a must.
- close to bar, exit, food, toilets

Disadvantages
- can be hard to bring along guests. however, there are nearly always some empty seats around us, so normally not a problem
- concourse is subject to the elements
- friends who sit in the stand claim they get a better view of overall play, however, its down to personal preference
- I could get the same seat cheaper if I chose season pass instead of full club. Full club gives you GF preference over season passes (no guarantee though) and entry to aftermatch (which I rarely attend)

[Damien]

Re: Swannies Memberships

Originally posted by simone
To those of you who have swans memberships,
what type of one do you have and how did you choose one over the other?
Is it an advantage to have a reserved seat over the use of the members reserve?

Depends on what you want I guess.

I have a full club with reserved seating + premiership club membership ($325 + $75 for Premiership Club), with seats in the Brewongle Stand, a) because I like knowing that if I am running a few minutes late I don't have to worry about finding seats b) knowing I will get a Grand Final ticket when we make it this year

The other reason I prefer the reserved seating is that 98% of the people around me are cluib members, and I don't get funny looks when I start screaming and jumping up and down lol.

The only real disadvantage I have encountered this year is I have had a few mates and family people come up and I can't sit next to them, which, if I had members reserve, this would be easier to organise.

[BAM_BAM]

we have a reserved seat on the Brewongle concourse.

We chose there as it's close to the field, but out of the dreaded afternoon sun. Hated sitting looking directly into the sun during our first year. It's so close to the ground you can smell the sweat, feel the hits and hear all of the calls from the players and it's close to the players race too.

The advantage of having your reserved seat depends on what time you go to the game and who you go with.

If you get to the game late, you always have a seat. If you go with the same people week in week out, then it's great to rock up when you want.

With the unreserved seats in the Members reserve, you need to get there early to have the best pick of seats, but if you're not that fussy then you can turn up most days and easily get a spot. If the number people you go with changes regularly, then this would be ideal as you're not restricted to who goes and when they go.

I guess price is another factor and what perspective you like to watch the game from. Up high or ground level.

well that's how we decided anyway.

[Bart]

Originally posted by BAM_BAM

I guess price is another factor and what perspective you like to watch the game from. Up high or ground level.

well that's how we decided anyway.

as far as I know Members reserve is the same price as Full Club concourse

[Dave]

We have Full Club Family Membership with non-reserved seating in the Ladies or MA Noble.

This gives access to 2 adults and 2 children (to 14?).

Although our seats aren't reserved we generally sit in the same area every week and usually have the same people around us.

The only downside is that if it's raining you have to get there early to try to get an undercover seat, and if it's a big crowd you have to get there early to get a good seat.

As we are on a budget though it was our best option.

If you go to every home game it is cheaper to buy a membership.

[simone]

Ta for the input!
My mum has a members reserve membership and so I have spent this year watching the game from the ladies stand with her.
I do like it there and was just interested in what others thought of their locations around the field.
We have always tried to arrive early to get the better seats.
I have found that being in this section there really isn't much "fellow member interaction" but thats not a huge issue.

[liz]

I'm a Redback, which is the premium class of membership. It looks pricey at first, but if you can afford it and are after a more full-on membership experience, it is definitely worth considering.

In addition to the normal membership package (including guaranteed GF tickets if the Swans make it) you also get a ticket to the pre-season dinner and an invitation to a mid-season cocktail party (though 'soiree' would be a better description because it's not a formal occasion) where you have a chance to mingle with the players in a much smaller group than the full club functions. You also 'sponsor' a player which doesn't mean a huge amount except that you get a plaque of the player concerned, a focal point to talk to at the cocktail party, and a specific player to "follow" during the season.

There are a few bonuses thrown in as well

- free parking which is useful if you always drive (but not so much when you live in Bondi Junction!!)
- a couple of gifts (this year a flask and a rug)

The Redbacks also organise other events during the season which are not part of the package (ie you have to pay a bit extra but only to cover the costs of putting on the events), but include a brunch before the first home SCG game (for which the club normally provides a speaker or two) and a funtion held in conjunction with the Past Players Association in the afternoon before a mid-season night game.

The Redbacks also provide additional networking opportunities, if you're into that kind of thing. Sometimes the club calls on us to help them out with things. For example some of us helped out with the organisation of the training open afternoon last season, and also helped the membership department sign up potential new members before the Collingwood game last year. If you are looking for a way to give something back to the club in a small way, it is worth considering.

Within the package you can make a choice of reserved seat or not; stand or concourse etc. I' ve been in the same seat since the 1997 season, in a great spot in the O'Reilly. The view is good, I know the people who sit around me, and I've grown not to care about the ordinary catering facilities.

[Bart]

Originally posted by simone
I have found that being in this section there really isn't much "fellow member interaction" but thats not a huge issue.

Try shouting something like

"Good call Goldspink"

or

"Leo you're tradebait"

or

"This food is great value and tastes wonderful"

and that should start some discussion

[Wil]

I have sat in the top and bottom of the Ladies, Members and Noble. This year I got a reserved seat in the O'Reilly and it is great. Better view, (no poles!) better angle of play and Carlton Draught on tap (much better than VB and New). The other good thing is rocking up right on time and still having a seat waiting. The bad thing is if you are sitting in a group of boring fans (as I am in Telstra Stadium - getting a chant going is hard work up there!).

I want to keep my O'Reilly seats for next year but hopefully can find a better spot in Telstra.

[j s]

I'm a "Sydneysider" member which is one price bracket below the "Redbacks". No function invitations but otherwise similar benefits (parking & gifts). Lizz forgot to mention the free tipping comp for Redback and Sydneysider members. I actually won this a few years ago so my membership has been effectively free since then.

I sit in the Brewongle looking down on the 50m line. Great view.

I like being able to arrive just before the game.

[Rob-bloods]

I sat in many positions in the the ol' SCG between 1983 and 2000 and by far the best IMO was on the centre line in Bill O'Reilly about half way back. Great perspective, not too high, but dry. Afternoon sun never really worried me, a real concern in that posi in summer for the cricket.

Agree with earlier poster, when reserved there from 96-2000 met many new fans and sat with a good crew......and no blow-ins (except for when Norths home games were there).

[liz]

Originally posted by j s
Lizz forgot to mention the free tipping comp for Redback and Sydneysider members. I actually won this a few years ago so my membership has been effectively free since then.

Hmm.. probably because I consistently go out in the first round.

[monopoly19]

If you're a member but have an unreserved seat, do they tell you which areas you can sit (so that you don't sit in a reserved seat?). What are the areas?

[Dave]

Originally posted by monopoly19
If you're a member but have an unreserved seat, do they tell you which areas you can sit (so that you don't sit in a reserved seat?). What are the areas?

With our membership it can be anywhere in the Noble or lower Ladies stand. First come - best dressed.