Cynics often claim that sports fans are merely cheering for laundry. What these doubters fail to understand is that for many fans, the action on the field is just a portion of why they root and cheer. Often, it’s the sense of belonging to a community, whether its one you were born into or one you found later in life, that adds meaning to fandom. It’s this community from fandom that adds atmosphere to sporting events. Soccer is unique in American sports because fans do more than just cheer their team on. Supporter groups sing, chant, and wave flags providing the background soundtrack for matches in progress. With the Aurora entering their fifth season, we chatted with Mel Simmons, Acting President of Revontulet, to discuss the group that provides atmosphere at TCO Stadium, its history, influences, and future ahead of their fifth season.
(Note: Conversation has been lightly edited for clarity.)
Northland Soccer Journal: All right. Thank you again for taking the time to talk to me. For those who may be unfamiliar, can you describe Revontulet and its role in relation to the Aurora?
Mel Simmons: Yeah, absolutely, absolutely. So we are an independent supporter group, and our goal or mission is to support the athletes and the fans to experience the match day, as well as supporting the community outside of match day. And so, as much as a supporter group is within the seen as match day, and we're there for that, those 90 minutes cheering on the club, there's a lot more that goes on outside of match day, that's a real value to having a supporter group like this. In the way that we can do fundraising for the community. We can get together with other supporter groups and do volunteer events. And just really, our mission is to shine a bright light on how incredible women's sports can be.
NSJ: How did the group come about? Obviously, the Aurora are starting their 5th season, but how did it come about? Did many of the founding members know each other beforehand or is this something that happened as a result of the club's formation?
MS: So soccer community within the Twin Cities is a pretty small group of individuals. People that love soccer, really love soccer and so you're going to see them across all the different clubs. But when we first heard that women's team was being formed, there was a small group of individuals that we lovingly referred to as our founding members that said, "you know what, we have to be part of a group." You know, they were well versed in the culture of the Loons. And other supporter groups all over the country, of course, or all the world. But they got together at just even the first mention of a women's club coming to the state. So once that happened, it kind of just held tight and when the name was announced, that's when we came up with our name, because Revontulet is a Finnish word for the Aurora Borealis or the Northern Lights. And so we kind of took a take from that to make that relationship.
NSJ: I actually was going to ask about the name. I saw that it means Firefox, correct?
MS: Yes, correct.
You: And that was one of the potential names for the team. Did that inspire it? Or did it come about just through a different discussion?
MS: Yeah, it was definitely inspired by the naming of the club.
NSJ: Okay. Were there other names that were considered along the lines or was this something in that vein, the clear front runner?
MS: Yeah, I think there were others. Gosh, I can't remember. (It was) so many years ago and so many things have happened in between, but that was definitely the front runner especially because some soccer nerds, you know, we love a good thing that little spark, the conversation of “What does that mean?" You know, anytime you can have interest from people that will ask “What's going on there? What is that all about?”, it's a reason to do something.
NSJ: In terms of relations with the team, how does a supporters group go about going from saying “We want to support this team.” to developing those relationships with a team? How over the last four seasons has the relationship been with Aurora?
MS: So that's one of the areas that we feel really lucky, as a SG, and being the SG for Aurora, because there's so many other leagues out there like the NWSL, and obviously MLS, where you may have ownership or a front office that may not have values that align with yours. Aurora's always been very supportive of us and trying to make sure that whatever messaging we want to put out there. It can be put out there, however big or small we want to be within the stadium, they're very supportive of that. Right away, we introduced ourselves. You have to have a point of contact to say, “Hey, we're here. We'd like to bring in flags. We'd like to bring in a drum.” We started with only one drum. And you have to work in partnership with them to get things through security. The security team at TCO is; they're used to American football, and so, it was in that partnership with Aurora that we had to explain to this group that, “Hey, you know what, we're not like those types of fans, and we're going to bring in these poles, and they have enough flags on them, and it's going to be okay, and then we know that it's different, but we sure it's going to be okay.” The Aurora, the people that we've been in contact with, have been the same people since the beginning too. So, we've gone on this journey together where the first couple years, it was always a mad dash to get things done before what Aurora has is a really short season. It's a really condensed and short season. So it's not like you can kind of wing it for the first couple because after the first couple, you only have a couple left. And so we learned together and we've kind of grown together, as supporter groups and the club in being more organized, having more people to help with things. For a couple of years, it was just a couple of us, a couple of them, and now they have a stronger volunteer base. They have a lot more sponsors. They've really grown up as a club (but) we continue to have direct contact with them. They'll text us. They and we have a really solid relationship that some other supporter groups may look at it like, "Hmm. That's kind of weird how close they are.” but we maintain our independence. We don't obviously take any money from them. We wouldn't have any money to give. We maintain our independence, we continue to be able to do what we'd like to do, with the goal of being there to support the athletes, the fans and the family members of those athletes because one of the other pieces of the Aurora organization is, these are really like emerging athletes. These are younger athletes. These are women. And so you're not approaching how you're going to like cheer the same, right? We're a lot more kinder. Not that other supporter groups aren't kind. Of course they are, but we just, you know, we have a different audience, right? The mom could be sitting a couple rows away from you. It's not the same as cheering for somebody that's making a couple million a year. These are people that are pre-professional. We're just looking for them to grow and advance on to even larger club. So it's, it's a different relationship. The whole eco of it is different.
NSJ: Obviously a lot has happened in the state over the last 6 years. What would you say the biggest influence on the group's culture has been during that time?
MS; Right. And so, and there's always this continued push to try to get them to, you know, become an NWSL club. So one of the first seasons, I think it was first or second seasons, the day that we had a match was also the day they announced the abortion ban. And so, that's when you lean into why this is even more important that we're here and that we have to make sure that these women feel like they have a space. And also, that the fans within our section feel safe and comfortable being exactly who they want to be. Then the ICE stuff has been, it's been really hard for everyone. We have a lot, people in the club and they love those, the values that we talk about all the time, and all of us were very involved with it, so we do have banners that we're introducing this year because of it. We had ideas for a tifo that didn't quite get approved. You know, we also were there. We want to make sure that social messaging is out there and that everyone's very clear on where we stand with it. It must be ,hopefully, pretty obvious, but we also want to make sure that the spotlight continues to be on the athletes in the sport itself. But I think, if I’m being honest, what's been happening helps us in a way that maybe we don't get as upset with each other about things, about this part of the supporter group itself, or about Revontulet. In the past, prior to The Occupation, you know, people within the soccer community can be very passionate. And they can be very, like “This is the way it's been done or this is the way I would do it.” When you have an organization like this, you don't necessarily have to do things the way that it's been done before, and you try to look at doing soccer a different way. I think they did that with the community ownership, and so you try to follow with how you're supporting the club and that you try to be flexible. With all the things that have been going down, I think we're just being a lot kinder to each other. Because you're like, “Well, you know? We have to remember we're all volunteers, none of us are paid. And we're just trying to still do it for the joy and do it for the community.” And. I think sometimes when now, it's easier to take a breath and realize “Hey, this is, this is fun and we're here to bring joy.”
NSJ: Speaking of joy, you mentioned some of the chants and songs earlier. Looking at it, your songs and chants are probably among the most original ones that I've seen from a lot of teams, because, you know, most of the time it's just, we're just going to rip someone off and else's chant off and change the name.
MS: Oh, yeah, well, we rip off others too. Don't worry.
NSJ: You have a wide, eclectic base that inspires you from like Bruce Springsteen or the Beatles, Chappell Roan. How do how do those ideas come about and what's the process from going “Hey, I've had this good idea to this is official.”?
MS: Yeah. It is when your mind doesn't turn off and you're constantly thinking about, it was last summer that I said, “You know what? Hey, we got to do a Chappell Roan song.” Because she was just so hot at the time and I love an audience participation, so the A F C T O G O, or Aurora FC T O G O, it was a hit because people love to be able to try to make the arm maneuvers, right? And it does take practice. And I and he just had to practice it. And so, a lot of times that I'll do is I'll be at the Black Hart and we'll be watching Bundesliga and I'll say, “I'm thinking about this A F C T O G O, and I'm like, what's the next line guys? What's the, you know,?” and then they'll say, “Scoring goals at TCO!”. You're like, “There it is.” So as much as it may start in my head or in someone's head, it's easily a group participation in trying to figure out how to make it work. The other favorite is our the MOAR chant. The MOAR chant is an old Dark Clouds, NSC situation where, you know, it was probably more alcohol than there is at TCO. And they would say that they want more, and then they'd start spelling it incorrectly, that M O will give me an M O A R. And we've adopted that. Because it's just so fun, and I can't tell you how many times I have little kids come up to me and say, “My mom wants me to ask you why you spell more wrong.” I'm so sorry, you know. Then we got into the Mormix, which is, because I just have a meow mix ….. thing in my head, which is the more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more, more. And it's just joy again of looking up at the audience and seeing people kind of singing the meow mix theme. And so I, we. try to keep it light and like I said, kind before and just have fun with it. So, for this first several years, it was just a couple people coming up with some chants and now it's growing and there's others that have brought their chants forward. And what I like to do too is we have a couple people, some of our hardcore fans that they'll come down and do a chant, you know, like we have a "shake it up baby". My friend Squid will come down and he'll do that and people love that. Like people love to see all sorts of types of people down there leading chants. Our main thing is we have a lot of kids that are down there too. We have a lot of kids. A lot of kids will come down and wave flags and it's the best. Like, we introduced the kid size flags, we introduced like a 4 foot size or 4 foot high flagpole with a smaller flag because you hand a giant flag to a little kid, they'll topple over, so, got smaller flags that they feel more comfortable waving. We've been told that, or I've had parents tell me that the kid will be with them for the season, sitting in their spot and just keep telling them how I want to go over there. I want to be over there and, and then they'll finally get the, the nerves to come over and do it and, and there's so, you know, the courage and it's fantastic when they finally did come over because then they have a blast because we're very welcoming and we're like, “Yep, come on in.” You'll probably meet other kids and so now we have kids that have been around for five years. Like, it's crazy how they're growing up with us. And this club, and they're still showing up every year. It's great.
NSJ: You mentioned banners earlier. Are there any special plans that you have cooked up for the season that you want to tease or highlight, just for people to keep an eye out for?
MS: Yes, so tifo is a really important part of soccer culture. All I'll say is, normally, tifos are kind of limited, right? Because it's 5 years and we really wanted to celebrate and we don't really have that many home games, I would just pay attention to that. We've always had our Trans People Belong Everywhere banner. This year, through the NWSL, because they invited me to their Discord. They're nice. They're kind enough to say, “Hey, Mel, you can come in and be in our Discord with us.” They had a fundraising for, I don't remember, but they did these flags that our support trans athletes. Especially with our goalkeeper signing, we're so excited and so proud of the club for doing what they've done. Now instead of just having these banners and flags, we're actually doing what we, what these banners and flags say. We're really excited about that.
NSJ: Obviously, this is the start of the 5th season. Five years from now. Are…..
MS: Oh god.
NSJ: Are there any goals for Revontulet that you'd like to see met? Or where would you like to see the group be?
MS: Yeah, in 5 years. Okay, so because, I always have my next year goals, or 2 years goals. I have lots of goals, right? But I would love it if, just continued growth within the community. But I think the most important thing for Revontulet is to continue to grow members who don't even know what a supporter group is. Some of my favorite people that I've come to know are the ones that say, “This is my first soccer game.” or “What are you guys doing?”. Those are, you know, that's kind of, those are our people, where they, they don't even know that this type of friend group exists. And you could, you instantly feel like you belong, because you're amongst people, shared values, and you're there, for the same reason, and so, because people don't have those third spaces anymore, as much as anymore. Like TCO and Revontulet is that third space that can be there for people?
NSJ: That actually segues perfectly with my next question. For people who aren't involved, How can they get involved with Revontulet? And do you have honestly any suggestions for people who just may feel shy or socially awkward about reaching out and joining?
MS: Yeah. We are all really shy and definitely socially awkward and all, that is our wheelhouse. So, we have a Discord, that's out there that people can definitely join and it's even out on our website on how to join. On our Instagram we have our links within the bio, and I'm sure that how to join the Discord is from there, and that's a really good way to just kind of get in there, and you can kind of lurk, right? And feel like you can listen to know the things that are upcoming. But, how people that are shy, you just kind of show up, right? You just walk up to the section, which is 121 and you don't have to do anything. You can just show up and be with us. And as you become more comfortable, you, you know, show up to one of our community events. Or show up, even have our chant practice on Monday. This upcoming Monday (May 18), the back room of Black Hart at 5.30. We'll be going through our chants and it's a good opportunity to meet some people and it would be a small group. It's not gonna be a lot of people, so you don't have to feel like you're walking into this “I'm gonna have all a bunch of cliques of people”. We're a small group and we're friendly enough that you can approach us, or you can join our Discord and kind of watch that way. We have events that people can join us, outside of the match day or otherwise, during the match, just come over to our section and you're more than welcome to come sit with us and you're guaranteed a good time.
NSJ: All right, I think this is gonna be my last question, but is over the last four seasons, is there any particular memory that stands out that just is the best memory from your time?
MS: Oh, I would. There's so many amazing memories because of the club and their four undefeated regular seasons. Like winning soccer games, like, that shit, that is enough to make anyone just be like, wow, this is incredible. As much as we love the sunny, 75 degree soccer days, you do remember them, but the soccer games you remember are the ones that it was just torrential rain for like the whole match. There's at least one rainy day for every season, but I think it was just even like last season that we had a really, really wet (game). Just a lot of rain. Everyone was just soaked. We have a kind of a tunnel intersection that we can put a banner over to kind of get some reprieve from the rain. But it just kept filling with water, and then the kids figured out that if somebody was standing in a certain space, they could punch the banner with their flag pole and the water would just soak the person. And the kids had such a great time. doing that, and I just, and I remember, like, when it was happening, you're like “Oh my gosh, please don't do that.” I'm freezing and I'm super, super wet but they would just laugh and they just had the best time. And so I think as much as those sunny soccer days are incredible for everyone, especially probably the athletes, it's those tsunami level or rain games that, I just, you know, the kids' laughter is just like, it's so funny because they, they just, they had a really good time just being wet and we were all in this kind of this soaked situation and they still won. I don't know, just for some reason, like, I know that there's more memories to me made with this club because you know, that undefeated is records not gonna live forever, right? Maybe it will. But that's when our support will hopefully be even more meaningful that, even if they're down and it's tsunami level water. We're going to still be there and we'll still be there to cheer them on, so.
NSJ: Fantastic. Thank you.
For more information on Revontulet, including a listing of their fantastic chants, you can visit their website, Instagram, TikTok, or Bluesky, or email them at [email protected].
