Ikram Butt Fundraising game Cougar Park : Thu Nov 25, 2010 5:05 pm  

Just a plug for a friend of mine Ikram Butt (Former England, Featherstone, London and Leeds Winger) and current GB All Stars Winger http://www.justgiving.com/rugby4pakistan Fundraising with a game at Cougar Park BARA VS Political Animals

Just a plug for a friend of mine Ikram Butt (Former England, Featherstone, London and Leeds Winger) and current GB All Stars Winger http://www.justgiving.com/rugby4pakistan Fundraising with a game at Cougar Park BARA VS Political Animals

Re: Ikram Butt Fundraising game Cougar Park : Thu Nov 25, 2010 8:07 pm  

It's a good cause and I'll be down to watch.

I hope plenty of people turn out and lots of money is raised.

Re: Ikram Butt Fundraising game Cougar Park : Tue Nov 30, 2010 9:11 pm  

I doubt if the game will be on. Looking at the forecast for over the weekend it does not look good.
Shame really.

Re: Ikram Butt Fundraising game Cougar Park : Tue Nov 30, 2010 9:14 pm  

Game has been postponed till New Year due to the weather. Shame

Re: Ikram Butt Fundraising game Cougar Park : Thu Dec 02, 2010 11:44 am  

Was the original game a bit of a 'rushed-job'?

Less than a week before the game and only £200 pledged to date. Has the local Pakistani community been involved? Surely it's an opportunity to get them interested in Rugby League and moreso, the Cougars!

Re: Ikram Butt Fundraising game Cougar Park : Fri Dec 03, 2010 8:53 pm  

I've often thought that the asian community of Keighley is a bit of an untapped source of fans, not sure if that's down to a lack of interest on their part, a percieved bias which hopefully would soon be overcome, or a lack of attempts by past Cougar officialdom to try and get them interested?

Re: Ikram Butt Fundraising game Cougar Park : Fri Dec 03, 2010 11:15 pm  

Mick W. wrote:

I've often thought that the asian community of Keighley is a bit of an untapped source of fans, not sure if that's down to a lack of interest on their part, a percieved bias which hopefully would soon be overcome, or a lack of attempts by past Cougar officialdom to try and get them interested?

It's an interesting debate, the whole asian participation thing.

It would be interesting to know why they don't come. Is it a percieved threat of racism? Is it due to alcohol being served at games? Are they just plain not interested? Are they being told not to come?

Personally I think it's a shame, I think what we have at Cougar Park is the perfect vehicle to unite the local community, something no matter what background from you come from you can support.

Maybe the club could look at what the Belfast Giants are doing. They are an Ice Hockey team who have achieved a great deal of success and pride themselves on having a fan base from both protestant and catholic sides of the city.

Re: Ikram Butt Fundraising game Cougar Park : Sat Dec 04, 2010 8:19 am  

If you remember we did reach out to the local people of Lawkholme, we held a (forgive me for spelling it wrong) Kabhadi tournament and invited local Asian people to the ground. We are also talking about having a Melia at the ground so that should be good.

Some cultures have different view of sport that is all.

Re: Ikram Butt Fundraising game Cougar Park : Sat Dec 04, 2010 9:00 am  

To be fair though having a Kabaddi comp inside a rugby ground isn't going to convert Kabaddi fans to Rugby League. You're not showing the product you want to offer.

Now if you put a Kabaddi competition on as pre match entertainment for a Cougars game maybe even entering a Cougars reserves team in it for a laugh. Get an authentic asian food stall (and I'm amazed we haven't tried selling Samosas, Pakoras and Onion Bhajis in Freddie's grill anyway) going and see what happens.