As the West Coast Heartland Championship rugby side gears up for its first home match of the season, so too are the ring leaders of a support posse looking to encourage fans to get along to Rugby Park throughout the year.
Adam Gilshnan, Craig Stanton and Stephen Wood got on board last year with a series of banners, designed as a play on the insignia used in the anti-smacking referendum.
This year they are calling themselves ‘Scarlet Fever’, a variation of the name of Wellington Phoenix football team followers.
“The support for the (West Coast) team last year was huge. We want to carry it on,” Mr Gilshnan said.
Coast produced a series of late performances that helped them through to the Lochore Cup final in 2009, and the crowds that gathered at Rugby Park for the home semi-final and final numbered in the thousands.
“Imagine if we could get all those people back again, it’d make the (players) lift their game.
“We want people to come along and have a bit of fun and support the boys.”
Ivy Brussovs, from Hokitika, has helped the cause by knitting red and white beanies, selling for $25 each. They can be ordered through Mr Gilshnan.
The West Coast Rugby Union also has a Facebook page with information, comments, videos and photos.