The close season may be underway for the players at Sixways, but the action never stops behind the scenes as preparations begin for the 2012/13 season. With Season Tickets now on sale ahead of the new campaign, MD Charlie Little speaks about his hopes for the the future of the club and even greater support in an exclusive Q&A with warriors.co.uk.
Q. Why would you encourage fans to show their support for Warriors by buying a Season Ticket?
A. Firstly and crucially it guarantees you the same seat for all 16 games in our regular season. In 2011/12 we’ve enjoyed sell out fixtures against Leicester Tigers and Gloucester Rugby and the only way to being certain of getting your seat for the biggest matches of our season is with a Season Ticket. By buying a Season Ticket you are also playing a vital role in allowing the club to develop and grow. The income we take in the summer months, through Season Tickets, Debentures and corporate packages and dining, allows us to improve the facilities and match day experience we can offer to all our supporters.
Q. Why have you introduced the new Children Under-10 for free offer this season?
A. As a club, we are determined to offer a family orientated event with as many youngsters as possible able to come to Sixways. We want families to come join us as they are at the very heart of our club. We want young people to come and watch rugby in an affordable way and so have introduced a fantastic new deal where children under 10-years-old are able to come for free, subject to terms and conditions of the new offer. Rugby is a sport where we always want to build on family values and it is important to us that families can come and enjoy a great day out with us. Families who are interested in this offer should contact our Box Office on 01905 454183 for more information as this is subject to availability and we have already had a positive response.
Q. The new Season Ticket packages include a price increase from last year. Why was this necessary?
A. We are committed to delivering top-flight rugby at Sixways. It is a competitive league and whilst the costs for each club to put a team together are similar, we have lost ground in our pricing structure due to relegation. However, we have been determined to keep price increases to a minimum whilst also balancing the challenges facing sporting clubs. It’s not an easy decision to take, but we have spoken with the Worcester Rugby Supporters Club about this and done market testing to ensure the price points we have gone out with are acceptable to supporters and our board and shareholders. I believe we have found the right balance. Our pricing is closer now with other clubs and ensures we can continue to improve on and off the pitch.
Q. How does the new Season Ticket compare with other clubs in the Aviva Premiership?
A. I have always generally used the silver category in the Slick Stand, where the majority of our Season Ticket Holders are based, as a gauge against other clubs in the Aviva Premiership. We looked at match day prices across the league and we remain below them all, in an area which is in effectively a second tier price category. Following our research, we have the cheapest Season Ticket in the Aviva Premiership and for 11 Premiership games, three ERC games and two cup games it represents excellent value for money.
Q. How do you reflect on the 2011/12 season at Worcester Warriors?
A. Last season was all about ensuring we were in the Aviva Premiership for the 2012/13 season. Achieving that aim so quickly has aided our recruitment and what we have been able to do in the market. Richard Hill has had to make some difficult decisions in moving certain players on, but he is very excited by the squad he has now assembled to tackle the Aviva Premiership in 2012/13. We have nine new players and all have either a point to prove or vast experience and leadership to add to the group. That is important for the psychology and our mentality as we look to break into mid-table and away from the bottom four.
Q. What is the latest on the coaching staff at Warriors and recruitment?
A. It was important in our first year to build on the good work that Phil Larder has done and we have a strong understanding of our defensive systems in place. Now more emphasis will be put on our attack which we believe will create more tries and a winning brand of rugby. The addition of a new Attack Coach will take place this summer and this is at an advanced stage. In terms of a new Forwards Coach, we are moving forward with our first choice replacement, who will come in and, I have no doubt, further improve and strengthen the coaching set-up that we have in place. We hope to be able to announce this recruitment in the coming weeks. We are also looking to recruit coaches in specialist areas to work on developing skills, such as the scrum and kicking. This will further improve the quality of our play and create a better spectacle for our Season Ticket Holders.
Q. Looking ahead to 2012/13, how confident are you about the future of Warriors?
A. We have a clear plan in place that has been pulled together by the senior management team for the whole club. In terms of the rugby operation, we fully expect and believe Richard Hill can deliver our ambitions. It takes us into the Heineken Cup over the coming years and it’s a plan that will also create a sustainable business in the long-term interests of Worcester Warriors. Season Ticket Holders are the heartbeat of our club and without their continued support and loyalty we will be unable to further our aspirations of making Worcester Warriors one of the top clubs in the country. I hope that Season Ticket Holders will back us and are as excited about the 2012/13 season as we all are at Sixways.