Fever Zone additions

Hi all, 

During the most recent Hui, there was a prolonged discussion on how to improve the Fever Zone for the upcoming season. While the zone is rocking when the Phoenix are winning, we’re sure most of you would admit it’s pretty flat when they aren’t. 

We want to change that.

A couple of ideas raised on the night, and have been suggested in the past at various stages, were to introduce a megaphone and drum. 

There was a lot of discussion on how best this could be done. There was a consensus that having a capo down the bottom of the zone wouldn’t work for us. But we think we’ve come up with a system that could work.

So as a trial, we’re going to give two things a go.
1) Someone with a drum to help keep rhythm so chants don’t suffer from other sections picking up the chant late
2) Someone in the middle of the zone with a megaphone to help support the traditional, organic chanting. This is different to a traditional capo. They will be there to follow chants, not lead them, when the zone is struggling for noise. We hope that this set up will help with the lulls that can happen and create a noisier zone. 

Hopefully with the abundance of Saturday night games and a strongest even squad (TM), this new set up won’t be needed. 

It may not work, but we think it’s worth a shot.

We’re still thinking of how best to spread the word as the season draws closer. In particular how to reach zoners who aren’t on the forums or social media, so they aren’t too shocked by these changes. 

If you have any thoughts how best to implement this, or suggestions on who would be good candidates to take up these roles, please get in touch. Either by posting here or sending us an email at info@yellowfever.co.nz.

COYN

How about a smoke machine?

It's only kind of a Zone thing, but the fire-mahujits they had at the Super Rugby final would be cool. But I bet FFA/RoF management may disagree.

I would be keen to do some drumming, though I don't have a drum yet.

We have a drum! 

Hey fellas. Just want to say good on you for being proactive at looking at ways to add to the experience.

The old tin cone megaphone would be a laugh to see.

Fair question! 

Have a watch of this video of the Timbers goal celebrations: https://youtu.be/SFBUNbJLHro?t=807. 

Trying to create a little bit of that here in Welly.

or the performance on the pitch, which for the nix would often be a benefit.

I'm willing to chip in for the drummers outfit!

YES!

This should be interesting. 

Hopefully we don't need it, but if we do I think it has a shot at working as long as everyone is on board. 

Speaking of which, how do we let people know? Flyers with a chant sheet at the first game? Ideally we'd reach people before that somehow though. 

As someone whose initial reaction was to be against the idea of drums, megaphones etc, I think the above strikes the right balance and will act as something of a trigger to the zone to say "we're quiet, let's lift our game". Worth a shot anyway. 

Am all for the drummer having an outfit! That'd be brilliant. 

... thinking of reconsidering that drumming offer ... :-)

Would the FFA think that it's a flare and ban it?

(hope not!)

This is the difficulty. When we tried to get it for the #SaveTheNix game last year, they banned it, citing the anti-flare policy. Despite the fact it's a completely safe alternative to flares.

Is it like those electronic cigarette things?

FFA: Fudgeing Fudgewit Asshats.

If the stadium and security are all ok with it, then do it - no different to those giant fire balls (probably even safer). 

Can we be allowed wooden rattles like those from football games pre 1980's? Or are the fun police still not allowing them??

We need more cowbell.

Surely that's a Waikato thing?

Perhaps we could have some kind of wind whistle, but it's usually windy enough anyway ...

Did you hear the annoying whistle at the Ferns vs France game? It was fudgeing annoying! :P

musical zephyrometer 

I've got a fever and the only prescription is more cowbell.

Or pan flute.

Ah well, never mind. You're just gonna have to fight through it.

Get a sponsor on board (Garage Project?) for these;

Phoenix City Kazoo Orchestra 

That would sound MEGA-AWESOME doing Just Can't Get Enough!!!

Seasons don't fear the reaper. Nor do the wind, the rain or the Phoenix. We can be like they are.

When I watched K-League, my local team's 'ultras' used to have these tins that they would open, and light a substance inside, that would produce a coloured smoke (usually red, the team's colour). The tins were fairly small (like playdoh or baked beans), and substance looked like putty (I never really got that close). Not sure what their actual intended use was, but they seemed to be a fairly harmless flare substitute.

Black and yellow smoke bombs?