Warriors to play one home match outside of Auckland

by NRL

A programme of 11 home games plus a match outside Auckland was confirmed as the Warriors launched their 2013 NRL membership packages.

Vodafone Warriors chief executive Wayne Scurrah said 10 regular season home games would be played at Mount Smart Stadium with another confirmed for Eden Park early in the campaign.

He said the venue for the 12th regular season game would be announced soon.

"The NRL has indicated it wants to see a number of clubs' games played away from traditional home grounds next year," he said.

"With this in mind, we're working with the NRL in assessing a number of options to play our 12th match at a venue either elsewhere in New Zealand or in Australia. A survey of our members earlier this year has also provided really positive support for us hosting a game outside Auckland. This will also provide them with an exciting opportunity for a new membership experience.

"Our home is still Mount Smart Stadium with 10 games scheduled there and, for the third season in a row, we will also play at Eden Park."

Scurrah said the first two ventures to Eden Park had been hugely beneficial for the club and for the NRL as a whole. The opening round clash against Parramatta in 2011 drew a club record home crowd of 38,412 while this year's season-opener against Manly - a rematch between the 2011 NRL grand finalists - was watched by the second biggest home crowd of 37,502.

Apart from a draw featuring a game outside Auckland, Scurrah stressed the "really exciting" new feature of the 2013 NRL draw was the fixed schedule (specified dates, venues and kick-off times) for the first 20 rounds of the season - due to be confirmed next month - with the details for the remaining rounds to be confirmed by round 16.

"It's going to be fantastic for everyone, especially Vodafone Warriors members, knowing the exact details of the draw for most of the season will be locked and loaded months in advance," he said.

"For the first time, the guessing will be taken out of planning events around Vodafone Warriors games. Now our highly-valued members can organise their lives with confidence."

He said the fixed draw would also be helpful in catering for members who wanted to travel to any Vodafone Warriors game elsewhere in New Zealand and in Australia.

"We will work with Air New Zealand on special packages tailored for our members," he said.

"In addition, the fixed scheduling next year provides an exciting opportunity for Auckland City to now promote visitation for games in the city. It's especially attractive for our away members who can plan to come to games and help to boost attendances."

Vodafone Warriors membership manager Dan Burton said a key feature of the packages launched today for the 2013 season is the substantial savings on membership prices versus game day prices.

"Vodafone Warriors memberships mean the best seats to the best competition at the best price," he said.

"Across our range of membership packages there are savings for adults and children of up to 48% and up to 64% for families.

"Even better, for the first time our members certainly benefit more than most through knowing exactly where we'll be playing and when we'll be playing for the first 20 rounds of the season."

Burton said other features of membership packages included:

* Early-bird pricing and massive discounts on gate prices plus all members who join today will go into the draw to win their membership free
* Reserved seat for all 11 home games
* Members-only merchandise pack and the opportunity to purchase a new limited edition members-only T?shirt
* Exclusive members-only invitations to club functions
* Exclusive members-only invitations to NRL team training sessions
* Pre-purchasing period to trial games, out of Auckland games
* Pre-purchasing period for New South Wales State of Origin tickets
* Pre-purchasing period for NRL finals tickets
* Pre-purchasing period for NRL grand final tickets

Burton added new coach Matthew Elliott loved the enthusiasm shown by Vodafone Warriors members.

"He said his knowledge of our members' passion for our club was a real lure when he made his decision to come to the Vodafone Warriors. While he has been in the city only a week, he said Auckland already struck him as being a rugby league town," he said.

"He's well aware of how important membership is to building a total football club and he's really supportive and excited about getting to know our members and having their backing in 2013.

"Being a member is the best way to support your club."

The Vodafone Warriors go into the 2013 season not only with a new head coach in Matthew Elliott but also with three key signings Thomas Leuluai, Dane Nielsen and Todd Lowrie and a squad boasting established frontline players Simon Mannering, Manu Vatuvei, Nathan Friend, Feleti Mateo, Jacob Lillyman, Sam Rapira, Jerome Ropati, Ben Matulino, Russell Packer, Elijah Taylor and Shaun Johnson plus emerging youngsters like Ben Henry, Konrad Hurrell and Carlos Tuimavave.

To renew your Vodafone Warriors membership or to become a member in 2013 go to www.warriors.co.nz for all details about packages and benefits.

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