Scarlets pledge to ‘Invest in Rugby’ at launch of season tickets

The Scarlets launch their new season tickets for 2012/13 with a message to supporters that every single membership is an investment in the future success of the Scarlets squad.

The new rugby season in West Wales brings new and exciting opportunities and the Scarlets have outlined to their loyal supporters how their continued backing will help enable the region to nurture and develop more exciting young rugby talent for the future.

As the first Welsh region to launch its new season sales, the Scarlets’ ‘Invest in Rugby’ campaign focuses on supporters’ investment through season tickets into rugby – to help bring through new talent throughout their communities as the driver to create success at the Scarlets off and on the field.

Scarlets Chief Executive Mark Davies said: “Our support this season has been an inspiration considering the tough economic climate, with attendances at Parc y Scarlets up more than 8% on last year and we’d hope that this will be reflected in the take-up of our season tickets in 2012/13.

“We’ve got a product on the field that people are excited about watching and being part of the world over – and we believe that these great young Scarlets players will drive their deserved success further next season. By becoming a season ticket holder, our supporters are investing in help achieve that and to bring forward new talent from within our region.

“We’ve had a bright start to our launch in the first 24 hours, with one season ticket being sold every four minutes and feedback on the range of packages and our prices has been really positive so far which is encouraging.”

The Scarlets outlined their commitment to season ticket holders:

• Encourage and support family membership
• Thank adult supporters with a prize freeze on the most popular season tickets
• Create a great match day experience at Parc y Scarlets for all to remember and enjoy
• Offer great value tickets and added value benefits for members
• Make being a Scarlets season ticket holder a source of pride and excitement

The success of the lively indoor Daioni Supporters Village which hosts up to 2,000 guests free of charge with a host of entertainment, mini rugby and inflatables for all ages pre and post match is key to adding more value to a Scarlets’ rugby game – making it a day out for families.

Key features of the Scarlets new season ticket offer:

• To encourage more young supporters at Scarlets games and there’s nothing like the inspiration of youth connecting with our great game – so the Scarlets have continued their policy of all U11’s go free at Parc y Scarlets.
• A price freeze at £299 for our high value family 2+2 ticket which was introduced last season
• Kid for a £1 for young supporters aged 12 – 18 that’s 16 games for just £16 and create value for our premium seats. Children can sit anywhere in the ground as long as they’re bought with accompanying adult – and all that for less than the cost of a can of coke.
• Next generation supporter:Young supporters between 14 and 18 can enjoy coming to Parc y Scarlets with friends in a fun group – for just £16 a season. Groups of friends can become Scarlets season ticket holders and join up on match days in N1 or N27 or Enclosure for as little as a £1 a game.
• £129 – the best value ticket now with extra space and more seats available at a great price.
• A price freeze on the most popular standard season ticket of £199, so supporters can enjoy rugby with the knowledge that they are investing in the Scarlets’ future and supporting the players on the field for no more than they paid last year.

Mark Davies said: “If you compare our crowds in terms of the equivalent with other top clubs in English and Celtic rugby with significantly bigger catchment areas within 30 minutes drive time to the stadium, we’re out performing most clubs in Europe in terms of our attendances as a percentage of population.

“We know there is a lot of work to be done going forward to increase our support base and grow our business and that’s a challenge, however equally there already encouraging signs of growth from our revenues off-field through events and non-rugby entertainment all year round.”

“Our focus and drive is to create a sustainable business that focuses on more than 16 rugby home games – with events and wider sports and entertainment activities throughout the year. We know we have to make this great facility work hard so we can invest in our rugby – our supporters’ commitment to match days is another major part of the fabric of making that happen.”

• An example of the Scarlets’ non-rugby events business includes this weekend’s BDO Three Nations Darts Championship being hosted at Parc y Scarlets with national men’s and women’s teams from England, Scotland and Wales competing for the titles.
• On May 26th, Parc y Scarlets will hold the ENJOY music festival for thousands of concert goers with an eight act line-up which opens with former X-factor sensation Alexandra Burke.
• This summer Parc y Scarlets will stage MT3’s Big Air Jam Freestyle Motor-X Championship with motorbike specialists and world record breaking stunt riders from across the world.

“As a business we are striving to do more for Scarlets and Welsh rugby and every single season ticket bought makes a difference to us in helping us achieve that.

“We have ambition and responsibility to drive our business forward successfully as that allows us to continue to invest in rising talent on behalf of our supporters – as we share in the responsibility and commitment to our next generation of players in our communities,” said Davies.