From Paper to Pixels
Digital Records

The
Brief

Client

Central Rivers Football Netball Leagues

Project

Development of a Digital Record Platform

The Central Rivers Football Netball Leagues faced the challenge of adapting to the digital era while preserving the essence of the traditional football record booklet.

With rising print costs and decreasing demand for physical copies, the leagues sought a modern solution that would deliver the same valuable content in a user-friendly, accessible format.

Red Onion Creative was tasked with developing a digital alternative that would provide all the features of the print record while enhancing accessibility and user engagement through mobile and web platforms.

Objective:

Create a digital version of the traditional football record to replace the print format.
Provide an intuitive, mobile-friendly platform to host key content such as club notes, sponsors, team lists, leaderboards, round previews, live radio feeds, results, and ladders.
Develop a modern website for Central Rivers that integrates the Digital Record into a comprehensive "Game Day" section.
Increase user engagement and expand the reach of league content online.
Position Central Rivers as a leader in digital innovation for grassroots football and netball.

The Approach:

Red Onion Creative rolled out the project in two distinct phases. Phase 1 involved creating a standalone "Digital Record" that mirrored the traditional print format in a custom-built web design. The design replicated the familiar layout of the printed record while leveraging digital tools to enhance functionality, such as interactive team lists and live updates.

Phase 2 saw the development of a brand-new Central Rivers website, designed to provide a seamless user experience. The website integrated a "Game Day" section, incorporating all the elements of the Digital Record alongside additional features like live match coverage and dynamic content updates. This approach ensured the Digital Record became an integral part of a broader online ecosystem, enhancing its value and utility for users.

Throughout the process, Red Onion focused on usability, ensuring the platform was accessible across devices, including smartphones and tablets. Collaboration with the leagues ensured that weekly updates, club notes, and other key content were seamlessly integrated and visually engaging.

The Outcome:

The transition from print to digital was a resounding success, positioning Central Rivers as a pioneer in grassroots football’s digital transformation. The Digital Record provided fans with a readily available, mobile-friendly platform that retained all the features of the traditional booklet while adding interactive and real-time capabilities.

User adoption soared, with significantly higher engagement on the Digital Record and website compared to the limited sales of printed records in previous years. Clubs and fans embraced the new platform, citing its convenience and enhanced accessibility. The integrated "Game Day" section further solidified the website as a central hub for league content, fostering stronger connections between fans, clubs, and the broader community.

The project also delivered cost savings by eliminating the need for print production, aligning with the leagues’ goal of financial sustainability. Red Onion Creative’s innovative approach positioned Central Rivers as a leader in digital solutions, setting a benchmark for other grassroots leagues.

Key Takeaways:

Red Onion Creative demonstrated its ability to innovate and modernise grassroots sports communication with the successful implementation of a Digital Record and a comprehensive website for Central Rivers. By adapting a cherished tradition into a contemporary format, the project enhanced user engagement, reduced costs, and showcased Red Onion’s expertise in digital transformation for sporting organizations.