Sports at the pub
SURVEY TIME.
image by Jane Dempster/Daily Telegraph
SURVEY + RESULTS
TWO surveys were conducted to gauge the viewership and their motives for watching their beloved sports at a bar or hotel. One was an online survey conducted via Survey Monkey, and the second was a written response form given out around town, and left for responses at the Moss Vale Hotel, Jemmy Moss Inn and Moss Vale Services Club.
90%
TAB ON A WINNER | Written surveys
90% of responses said the access to TAB facilities was a reason for watching sports at a pub.
What are the answers?
What sports are enjoyed most? Cricket was a surprising winner with the written surveys, with 90% of responders circling this option. As was horse racing with 86%, and NRL with 83%.
The online survey told a slightly different story.
For the written responses, 60% chose the Moss Vale Hotel as their pub of choice. The Jemmy Moss Inn received 23%, MV Services 6% and the Surveyor Inn Berrima, Nagambie Hotel, Yanco Hotel and the Sutton Forest Inn all received minor votes.
Of the online, the hotels were more even. Other scored best - and hotels nominated included Scottish Arms (Bowral), Sutton Forest Inn, Surveyor Inn (Berrima), Penrith Hotel, Northies (Cronulla), Robin Hood (Adelaide), Lowenbrau Keller (The Rocks, Sydney) and "not fussed"/"don't mind".
From the written responses, 86% said food and sport were a winning combination.
Why the pub for sport?
The most important question of both surveys asked participants to circle as many reasons as to why they visited the pub for sports viewing, or what would most likely influence their decision to heading out and watching the game at the bar. The results from the online survey gave social and dining the biggest ticks.
Participants mostly agreed that the access to a large/high quality screen with Full Foxtel Sports coverage (and Sky Channel, Sky2, Sky Racing World and TVN) were a positive. 63% said the access to the big screen was a big plus. 40% said they were more likely to watch a game in the pub than elsewhere if the pub had all sports channels.
From the written surveys.....
All responses ticked "social" as a reason for watching sports at their local. No surprises there, and a further 90% all ticked "atmosphere". There is something really special about watching a sports game with mates. Although quite a few survey responses said the "annoying commentator" or "lousy loser" were par for the course with public viewing.
Drinks all round? Yes! 86% said access to alcohol was a plus, and 74% agreed that beer on tap was a positive for watching sports at the pub.
