Attendance key for PSL

Newly appointed Premier Soccer League (PSL) CEO Brand de Villiers says increasing the number of spectators at games will be a key area for him to address during his tenure.

“Attendances are low and definitely an area we need to focus on,” said De Villiers in Johannesburg on Tuesday, at the start of his new role.

“It is something the chairman has mentioned, and with the help of the media, the broadcasters and the sponsors we can try and find a solution.”

Previously the director of rugby at the Blue Bulls, De Villiers said the problem was not isolated to soccer.

“Attendance is a problem across South African sport. If you have go to rugby, crowds have been down over the last few years. In cricket, the numbers have also been down.

“Until we've done research to find out why people aren't coming to stadiums, it's anybody's guess why this is the case.”

De Villiers mentioned the considerable growth in local game, over the years, and said it was vital for that trend to continue.

“I've spent the last week or so reading about the league and the transformation over the last 20 years has been amazing," he said.

"Maintaining the current status of the league and growing it is important.

“The PSL is part of the biggest sporting code in South Africa.”

Having a good relationship with the South African Football Association (Safa) was also a priority for the PSL, he said.

“Safa is a main stakeholder in soccer, so obviously the relationship must be good and on a high level, so it will be an area of focus for me.”

(File Photo: Gallo Images)

-Sapa