Harlequins announce 58% increase in attendances

Wednesday 28th May 08

Harlequins Rugby League are delighted to announce that home game attendances for engage Super League fixtures are up 58% to date on like fixtures played in 2007.
 
Harlequins Rugby League attributes this increase in attendances to a number of factors, the primary one being the extensive community programmes the club runs. In 2008 Harlequins RL launched a ground breaking initiative that sees amateur rugby league players in London and The South given the opportunity to become Harlequins RL season ticket holders as part of their registration package, over 1,200 players have taken up the offer.
 
This season there have also been record numbers of students and schools that the Harlequins RL Community Coaches work with requesting tickets for games at The Stoop. Over 2,300 requested tickets for Harlequins RL season home opener against the Wigan Warriors and a further 1,600 for the Quins last home fixture against Hull FC.
 
Harlequins Rugby League’s Community Marketing Manager, Ebony Blake has said:
 
 “I am really pleased to see that the countless hours of dedicated work our Development Manager Dan Steel and his Community Coaches put in are making such a positive impact on Rugby League in The South.”
 
“The relationship these coaches have established with schools in the area means that thousands of kids not only have the opportunity to play Rugby League but also get along to watch their hero’s playing at The Stoop”.
 
“Harlequins have had excellent community programmes running for the past three years now and the team we have in place are doing a great job of continuing this.”
 
On top of this, Blake has established a number of partnerships with London based social sports networks that have lead to an increased awareness of both the club and the sport of Rugby League in and around London.
 
As well as these community programmes boosting numbers, there has also been the added attraction of Reserves games being played as curtain raisers at the majority of home games this season.
 
Harlequins Rugby League have also made note of the excellent away support their opposition club supporters have shown by travelling South to take part in the London Rugby League experience.
 
Harlequins Rugby League Commercial Manager Greg Whitaker has said:
 
“Away support has been fantastic this season and it seems that opposition fans are really enjoying making the trip to the Capital.”
 
“The exciting brand of Rugby Harlequins RL are playing this year has also been a great contributor to our increased crowds. This style of play has really added to the atmosphere within the stadium and has meant that many first-time spectators are coming back time and again.”
 
“We still have a number of ‘big team’ home games like Leeds, St Helens and Bradford yet to come which is exciting for the commercial growth of the club.”
 
Harlequins Rugby League will play their next home game at The Twickenham Stoop on Sunday 8 June against the Warrington Wolves, kick-off 3pm.