RICK Butler doesn’t hide from lofty ambitions. The Chairman of St Kilda’s Halo Coterie boldly declares that this supporter group wants to be the best Coterie membership in the AFL.

To achieve this status, there have been a number of changes over the summer months. A fresh approach with a younger generation of volunteers has not just re-invigorated the group but also remodelled it.

Of course the football departments’ alignment with Halo Coterie is pivotal towards the overall health of the club, and therefore Butler’s role in connecting the two entities is central in this partnership.

However, it isn’t just Butler who has made an impact in the past few months. It’s also his committee who have put in many tireless hours. They are:

  • Sandy Defteros (membership liaison)
  • Matt Lowe (membership recruitment)
  • Jerome Borazio (sponsorship fundraising)
  • Scott Duncan (communications)

In 2012, the Halo Coterie undertook a detailed survey of its 2012 membership. The synopsis of this survey paved the way for a string of new initiatives and a fresh approach that will hopefully attract new members.

Firstly, all of the committee were given official roles, creating a structure whereby each person was responsible for various components of the Coterie.

Next, following the survey, there were a number of initiatives to increase the membership:

  • A 5-game membership package was introduced
  • Membership costs were cut by one-third.
  • A one-page flyer was designed to give to prospective members
  • Greater recognition was given to longer term members
  • The induction process for new members will now include a membership pack which is yet to be agreed on by both the coterie and the club, and
  • ‘Holla a Halo’ initiative which provides incentives to those current members who introduce new Halo Coterie members in 2013.

In addition to these enterprises, a brand new Halo logo has been created in conjunction with St Kilda Football Club and a new sponsorship program has been implemented recently.   

Evidently, Rick , who is in his 13th year of Halo membership, is intent on building a profile for the Halo Coterie that exceeds that of any other club. With a vast array of bold and forward-thinking initiatives, the Saints Halo Coterie experience is poised to be better than ever in 2013.