Season-tickets up by 13 per cent on 08/09

With the 2009/10 season now just a week away, season ticket numbers have continued to rise, with the Ospreys racking up an impressive 13 per cent increase year-on-year.

Thanks to a number of family friendly and cost saving initiatives introduced this summer, the response from Ospreys supporters to the new packages has been described by Ospreys Managing Director Roger Blyth as ‘extremely encouraging’, as the region looks to build on the incredible support already established.

The new Introduce-A-Friend scheme, which was brought in this year and offers existing season-ticket holders substantial discounts when they introduce supporters who then purchase their first season ticket has proved incredibly popular, with 25 fans actually getting their season ticket completely free of charge after introducing three friends.

The region has also enjoyed success in other areas, with the Kids Go Free seeing almost 700 free children’s season tickets handed out when purchased in conjunction with a paying adult.

Roger Blyth commented:

“To be able to record a 13 per cent increase in season-ticket numbers in what remains a difficult economic climate is a wonderful achievement for the region, and is an extremely encouraging sign as we look to the future and attempt to continue growing the Ospreys business. We’ve said all along that setting season-ticket prices is a difficult task, but we felt that we had to try something innovative this summer to encourage supporters to come and join us for what we hope will be an exciting season, and we are all delighted to see such an excellent response.

“Supporters can see for themselves the excellent value that the new packages offer, and what we are trying to do here at the Ospreys, on and off the field, to ensure sustainable, long term success for the region. By setting the packages and prices at this level we made a clear statement to our supporters that we wanted them to attend the Liberty Stadium week-in, week-out, and that we wanted to give something back to them as we appreciate their support and understand the expense involved with supporting the Ospreys.

“The new season gets underway next week, with Ulster the first team to come to the Liberty Stadium on Saturday 12th September, so there is still plenty of time to come and join us if you haven’t bought your season-ticket yet.”

Ospreys star James Hook added:

“It’s great to see so many season-ticket holders, everybody in the squad is excited about the coming season, and to know that once again, we will have the backing of the best supporters in Wales at the Liberty Stadium will give us all a real lift. We are all proud to be Ospreys, we are proud to represent the region, and we will be giving it everything to make the fans proud of us on the pitch this season.”