MARITZBURG UNITED HOST SUPPORTERS' WORKSHOP 29 October 2009 Last week Maritzburg United hosted its first ever supporters workshop at the AF Wood Hall in the City.

The purpose of the workshop was to engage supporters on different issues and also to unfold plans, programmes and initiatives.

The workshop was a success however we didn’t get the desired and expected turn out from our supporters which was a little disappointing but on the same note the impact was phenomenal and we would like to thank all those who were present and hope that in the series of supporter development initiatives, you will find value and the importance of attending.

Management would also wish to thank City Press for partnering us on the event, our supporters were treated to goodies and we are grateful for that.

The workshop afforded the club with both with the opportunity to talk to our supporters and also to listen to what our supporters have to say regarding the issues of supporter development. People spoke and the club responded where we could, and made a commitment to attend to those issues that we have the capacity to deal with and provide the necessary solutions and directions.

These are some of the issues that we were able to discuss on the day:

1. SUPPORTERS INTERACTION

As a team, we find it important that there must be a flow of information from the team passed to the supporters. This is the start of the worthwhile relationship, tools such as this booklets, media and our open door policy are the means we have in place to achieve effective communications strategy

2. SUPPORTERS EDUCATION

It is the Maritzburg United vision to ensure that our supporters are well aware of the team’s objectives, visions and initiatives but over and above is to make them understand the team’s culture, history and heritage. This will capacitate our supporters to be able to grow the brand and the image of the team and also to be guided by an accurate data within our policies and procedures. Hence we have formulated the MARITZBURG UNITED SUPPORTERS CLUB Constitution and Code of conduct to make sure that we enforce and achieve this and enforce discipline.

3. BRANCH FORMULATION

We have identified areas which we will be visiting for both the purpose of hosting workshops and opening branches but we have also decide to allow people to come forward if there are ready to start branches, before we even come to them. People who wish to start the branches must take note of the following,

• THERE MUST HAVE AT LEAST 50 MEMBERS WHO ARE READY AND WILLING TO BE PART OF THE TEAM

• THE POTENTIAL MEMBERS MUST SIGN THE FORM WHICH IS INSERTED HERE AND MUST FILL IN THEIR INFORMATION INCLUDING THEIR CONTACT DETAILS

• ONCE 50 IS REACHED, FORMS CAN BE FRORWARDED TO THE OFFICE IN VICTORIA ROAD AND/OR I CAN BE CONTACTED ON 0721500858 TO PLAN A WAY FORWARD.

• MEMBERS WILL THE BE VERIFIED AND THE BRANCH WILL BE OPENED

Finally please note that this was the first workshop amongst many, where we will be going in different areas to do workshops directed to specific communities and supporters who would like us to visit their areas can contact the office.

MARITZBURG UNITED IS MY TEAM...YOUR TEAM AND OUR CHOICE

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO YOUR CORRESPONDENCE.