First taste of CRISIS MANAGEMENT

Howdy doody everyone,

My name is Elliott Telfer and I'm back for my third blog and I dare say my most interesting and entertaining. For those who don't know me or are unaware of what I'm doing for my Internship, I am an events intern for RugbyWA/Emirates Western Force.

My main duties revolve around game days, I come in 5-6 hours before kick off, set up, prepare, and rehears for the 92 minutes of stress. Before the game I do everything from setting up the player bench to making the final checks of the team line ups before passing it on to Fox Sports. During the game I sit in the control room and act on EWF's behalf, if the venue has a problem, I relay it back to RugbyWA, sort out a resolution and consult the venue.

On the Saturday just gone (13-4-13) in our match v The Crusaders, the venue experienced its worst issue to date. Pitch invaders. not just one, or two, but five. Thankfully only one of which was prancing around in his birthday suit, the remaining four choosing comical costumes. Due to security being overwhelmed by the number of invaders, two of the remaining four invaders were taken down by a player and a member of staff from the crusaders (possibly their best work of the night). This is where it gets interesting, for obvious reasons, I am limited as to what I can and cannot say, but what I can say however as what a headache this has been for the club. The first of the five invasions happened soon after half time, however the remaining four happened in the final five minutes, when the result of the game was very much in the balance, EWF holding on to a narrow two point lead. Play was held up for several minutes as the intruders were dealt with, as a result all momentum from the game had vanished. on Full Time, the EWF defence proved too good and held on for the win (THANK GOD). 

The Crusaders, disgruntled with the fact that there was five pitch invaders, compounded by their team loss, lodged a formal complaint to SANZAR (the governing body of Rugby Union) about the management and state of nib Stadium. As a result, not only does nib Stadium come under the microscope, but so does RugbyWA. Now I can't give details of this enquiry, but I can say how eye opening it is to be involved in PR crisis management, the whole organisation is adapting PR crisis management principles, I'm just glad I know how to handle this situation!

I wish I could reveal more to you guys, I may be able to in the coming weeks, but until then take a look at this statement from RugbyWA on the matter, it may open your eyes a little bit more on why I am being so tight lipped. http://www.westernforce.com.au/NewsEvents/NewsArticles/tabid/905/ArticleID/8860/Default.aspx
I had great hopes for this blog, being able to share my experience with you, but I have to say its hard finding something to say when you aren't allowed to speak about anything!

Thanks for reading guys, best of luck!

Elliott Telfer

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