sea_point wrote:
Yes they did and do, there is a limited amount of covered space within the ground (which is our current premium offering, without seats/stands to offer), most of the kids come in on Family tickets so the net contribution to the cost of developing the existing facilities or contributing to the future development is completely negligible...

e.g. by extension if you replaced every kid in the Clan Terrace with an adult season ticket holder, how much extra revenue would that be per head (at €140 per head)..?

You're mixing up a few things here Seapoint. There are the kids who are in on Family Season tickets - who are unaffected, and there are the kids that come with a single adult season ticket holder for low profile games where the clan and main stands are nowhere near capacity, who are affected.

Secondly, u12's don't take up space on the steps of the clan because they'd see nothing other than coats.

e.g. by extension if you replaced every kid in the Clan Terrace with an adult season ticket holder, how much extra revenue would that be per head (at €140 per head)..?

This relates to kids on family tickets only. The other u12s who are getting in free are let in on the basis of the Clan having space capacity for low profile games.

I'm not against kids attending, nor am against incentivising attendances, but they are absolutely correct in trying to maximise the revenue potential of the facilities that we currently have...

Again, the only possible source of increased revenue here is from the u12's paying €60/€90pa for a season ticket. The problem with this, is that it canabalises the adult allocation.

Say for simplicity the Clan has a capacity of 4000 season ticket holders and the branch sells 4000 season tickets for it.

Max revenue is 4000x Single Adult season ticket holders
Min revenue is 4000x Junior season ticket holders

Say they sell 100 u12 season tickets. For every junior ticket they sell to an u12 they reduce the number they can sell to adults by 1 and consequently reduce their maximum potential revenue.

The freebies for U12s does not have this effect. They allow the branch to sell an extra 100 adult season tickets in the clan, because the freebies aren't counted and simply avail of surplus space when adult ticket holders don't turn up.

The limiting of potential you are on about only applies to kids on family tickets. You're effectively making an argument in favour of the freebies.

rossie wrote:

sea_point wrote:

rossie wrote: And if every adult stays away even some of the time because of this(if correct) then where will that leave branch? Crowds are fickle and especially in galway where there has never been a tradition of sustained support for anything.

There are two terraces behind each goal which are empty a lot of the time and never been full to capacity this season. Surely it would make more marketing sense to utilise these areas for u12s and their parents. If the game is on and there is space under clan terrace or main stand by all means then let them in but keep them coming they are the paying supporters of the next generation.

It's a gamble that the Branch have to make, it's the same gamble any business makes when it's forced to increase prices and they are rightly backing their belief that they are delivering a better and better product for the money that's expectebbbbd iof supporters..

i see u completely ignored my point about letting the u12s behind the goals for free.

While we are on the point of gambles re growing business how does it make good business sense to charge new customers more than existing customers? Surely to god it should be the same or the other way around. Ythey already have existing st holders on the hook and are looking to broaden that base so how does charging newbies more make sense?

Oh and seeking more for less is the way things are done in this country these days. Why should rugby be any different.

How'd that work then Rossie on the many evenings where it lashes down..? Kids need to be in a covered area, it's a problem with our facilities currently that there is limited space but the space we have has to be made to pay for the sake of future development and recruitment. There is no way around it..

Fully agree. GAA have done this in Davin Stand in Croker, at only €5 per kid. Aviva also has reserved area for schoolkids at reduced price ....the only place with a good atmosphere in entire stadium imo. I think having kids end in Sportsground would add great noise and atmosphere and kids love being with their mates, so with a bit of security/safety, even kids on Family tickets could go over there if they liked, leaving parents behind

I like the kids section idea. Toulouse have being doing for years and it seems to work. Maybe if they staggered the prices of season tickets depending on where you sat/stood might make a difference? For example you pay a little extra if you want to have your place in the clan stand rather than the others. Just a thought.

sea_point wrote:

rossie wrote: And if every adult stays away even some of the time because of this(if correct) then where will that leave branch? Crowds are fickle and especially in galway where there has never been a tradition of sustained support for anything.

There are two terraces behind each goal which are empty a lot of the time and never been full to capacity this season. Surely it would make more marketing sense to utilise these areas for u12s and their parents. If the game is on and there is space under clan terrace or main stand by all means then let them in but keep them coming they are the paying supporters of the next generation.

It's a gamble that the Branch have to make, it's the same gamble any business makes when it's forced to increase prices and they are rightly backing their belief that they are delivering a better and better product for the money that's expectebbbbd iof supporters..

i see u completely ignored my point about letting the u12s behind the goals for free.

While we are on the point of gambles re growing business how does it make good business sense to charge new customers more than existing customers? Surely to god it should be the same or the other way around. Ythey already have existing st holders on the hook and are looking to broaden that base so how does charging newbies more make sense?

Oh and seeking more for less is the way things are done in this country these days. Why should rugby be any different.

rossie wrote: And if every adult stays away even some of the time because of this(if correct) then where will that leave branch? Crowds are fickle and especially in galway where there has never been a tradition of sustained support for anything.

There are two terraces behind each goal which are empty a lot of the time and never been full to capacity this season. Surely it would make more marketing sense to utilise these areas for u12s and their parents. If the game is on and there is space under clan terrace or main stand by all means then let them in but keep them coming they are the paying supporters of the next generation.

Fully agree. GAA have done this in Davin Stand in Croker, at only €5 per kid. Aviva also has reserved area for schoolkids at reduced price ....the only place with a good atmosphere in entire stadium imo. I think having kids end in Sportsground would add great noise and atmosphere and kids love being with their mates, so with a bit of security/safety, even kids on Family tickets could go over there if they liked, leaving parents behind

It takes a Munsterman etc etc...

rossie wrote: And if every adult stays away even some of the time because of this(if correct) then where will that leave branch? Crowds are fickle and especially in galway where there has never been a tradition of sustained support for anything.

There are two terraces behind each goal which are empty a lot of the time and never been full to capacity this season. Surely it would make more marketing sense to utilise these areas for u12s and their parents. If the game is on and there is space under clan terrace or main stand by all means then let them in but keep them coming they are the paying supporters of the next generation.

It's a gamble that the Branch have to make, it's the same gamble any business makes when it's forced to increase prices and they are rightly backing their belief that they are delivering a better and better product for the money that's expected of supporters..

And if every adult stays away even some of the time because of this(if correct) then where will that leave branch? Crowds are fickle and especially in galway where there has never been a tradition of sustained support for anything.

There are two terraces behind each goal which are empty a lot of the time and never been full to capacity this season. Surely it would make more marketing sense to utilise these areas for u12s and their parents. If the game is on and there is space under clan terrace or main stand by all means then let them in but keep them coming they are the paying supporters of the next generation.

Creedence wrote:

sea_point wrote: Sorry but people expecting free entry for their kids need to get a grip <strong>it has never been a right</strong>, kids take up space and as crowds attending games grow space becomes a premium.

The free u12 kids never took up space when space was an issue - namely games against the Italian, Welsh and Scottish sides. In fact they have even been in a position to give over the far end of the Clan to kids involved in the half time mini-games. And they invariably take up position in places where there are no adults around to block their view.

I think this is a poor move if true. Let them in for free, get them in the habit of going, and then start charging them at 12 years up.

Yes they did and do, there is a limited amount of covered space within the ground (which is our current premium offering, without seats/stands to offer), most of the kids come in on Family tickets so the net contribution to the cost of developing the existing facilities or contributing to the future development is completely negligible...

e.g. by extension if you replaced every kid in the Clan Terrace with an adult season ticket holder, how much extra revenue would that be per head (at €140 per head)..?

I'm not against kids attending, nor am against incentivising attendances, but they are absolutely correct in trying to maximise the revenue potential of the facilities that we currently have...

swift4prez wrote: actually if your kid is under 12 and got the good value last year, pay for 6 games and free for 8 and didnt have a season ticket then that kid will have to pay full price junior ticket which is €90. 3 heineken games = €30. 11 pro12 games @€5 = €55.

if tickets were meant to be value, who would buy a season ticket when you could buy tickets game by game <strong>for cheaper.</strong> if the kid misses a game, thats €10 saved etc. season tickets should always be cheaper then buying your 14 tickets on game days?!

Sorry guys you can go all you want to about the increases and comparisons to the other provinces which is irrelevant, it's other entertainment options in Galway that are relevant.

At the end of the day the province needs to generate money and unless you can suggest a way to bring in more cash to improve facilities and squad strength then complaining about what over a three or four year period are still pretty small increases is facile.

People just want to pay less while expecting more and more which it unrealistic, you can look for holes to pick but the fact is it is cheap entertainment compared to pretty much any other organised fee payable option in Galway...

actually if your kid is under 12 and got the good value last year, pay for 6 games and free for 8 and didnt have a season ticket then that kid will have to pay full price junior ticket which is €90. 3 heineken games = €30. 11 pro12 games @€5 = €55.

if tickets were ment to be value, who would buy a season ticket when you could buy tickets game by game for cheaper. if the kid misses a game, thats €10 saved etc. season tickets should always be cheaper then buying your 14 tickets on game days?!

sea_point wrote: Sorry but people expecting free entry for their kids need to get a grip <strong>it has never been a right</strong>, kids take up space and as crowds attending games grow space becomes a premium.

The free u12 kids never took up space when space was an issue - namely games against the Italian, Welsh and Scottish sides. In fact they have even been in a position to give over the far end of the Clan to kids involved in the half time mini-games. And they invariably take up position in places where there are no adults around to block their view.

I think this is a poor move if true. Let them in for free, get them in the habit of going, and then start charging them at 12 years up.

Most of connachts crowd are in their 2nd season and considering a 3rd. Many like me bring their kids to the games. Its not a crowd of diehards that connacht have built up over the yrs and results on the pitch do not justify rises of 10-12% and charging kids. These sort of decisions may have a negative effect ver time.

On value when compared with irish provinces its cheap but then facilities are better and expectations higher so it probably balances out.
Compare to other pro12 teams and its a different story.
Ospreys standard seat- £99.
Dragons standing-£99.
Glasgow and edinburgh standing- £130.
Thats all i cud find quickly.

sea_point wrote:

swift4prez wrote: Got an email yesterday saying 500 people have renewed so far. like always ill leave it to the last second.

few people on the facebook page not happy and from my point of view rightly so. One guy been asking for awhile can he bring a child to the odd game and at which cost. 8 match's this season was free for under 12, €5 for others i think.
they point blank ignored the question but today finally gave in and replyed only for them not to answer the question but to bullshit on about something.

then this alerts me why they dont answer.

the cost to renew a Junior (3 - 17 years old) Season Ticket is €60. This is also the 'Early Bird' price for a junior. Full price (from May 18th onwards) is €90.

they are charging 3-12 €60 which would be crap value compared to kids last season, 8 free, €5 for interpro's and €10 for 3 heineken cups. thats an extra €15 per primary school kids but i guess less then €2 a game for (the other used to be free) 8 games.

Sorry but people expecting free entry for their kids need to get a grip <strong>it has never been a right</strong>, kids take up space and as crowds attending games grow space becomes a premium.

Connacht need to generate more revenue to finance an improved stadium (new stand at some point) and better squad (which we all want), there is no way around it as the IRFU will not gift us more money and we don't have a sugar daddy or two like Munster, Leinster or Ulster.

The amounts being charged for season tickets even at full whack are pittances (at any age level) and income is irrelevant, if you think it's too much then don't bring them and see how far the amount of money will get you on alternative entertainment for the little ones...

No one likes parting with money at the best of times, but if you sit down and down the sums and rationalise the costs being charged, going to Connacht games is still bloody good value..

<strong>Season Ticket Renewal FAQ's</strong>
www.connachtrugby.ie/images/Connacht_Rug...AQ_for_Web_Final.pdf

i agree with most of this seapoint, not the taking up space bit, only time space is getting tighter is interpro's and heineken cup when under 12's are paying €5 and €10 for these games.
the other 8 games there are plenty of space.

as i pointed out above, if your bringing your kid to all the games then there is only €15 more to pay (3 free pints) and only works out at €2 a game.

like rossie who brings his kid to the odd game, them supporters will see a bigger dent in there pocket as ill guess children tickets will be €5.

swift4prez wrote: Got an email yesterday saying 500 people have renewed so far. like always ill leave it to the last second.

few people on the facebook page not happy and from my point of view rightly so. One guy been asking for awhile can he bring a child to the odd game and at which cost. 8 match's this season was free for under 12, €5 for others i think.
they point blank ignored the question but today finally gave in and replyed only for them not to answer the question but to bullshit on about something.

then this alerts me why they dont answer.

the cost to renew a Junior (3 - 17 years old) Season Ticket is €60. This is also the 'Early Bird' price for a junior. Full price (from May 18th onwards) is €90.

they are charging 3-12 €60 which would be crap value compared to kids last season, 8 free, €5 for interpro's and €10 for 3 heineken cups. thats an extra €15 per primary school kids but i guess less then €2 a game for (the other used to be free) 8 games.

Sorry but people expecting free entry for their kids need to get a grip it has never been a right, kids take up space and as crowds attending games grow space becomes a premium.

Connacht need to generate more revenue to finance an improved stadium (new stand at some point) and better squad (which we all want), there is no way around it as the IRFU will not gift us more money and we don't have a sugar daddy or two like Munster, Leinster or Ulster.

The amounts being charged for season tickets even at full whack are pittances (at any age level) and income is irrelevant, if you think it's too much then don't bring them and see how far the amount of money will get you on alternative entertainment for the little ones...

No one likes parting with money at the best of times, but if you sit down and down the sums and rationalise the costs being charged, going to Connacht games is still bloody good value..

Season Ticket Renewal FAQ's
www.connachtrugby.ie/images/Connacht_Rug...AQ_for_Web_Final.pdf

Are Connacht introducing a stealth "Fertility Tax"?

If this is true and they plan on charging for u12s for all games then i for one wont be attending many , if any, games next season. I will hsve sttended 8 this season and brought my 5yr old to 5 of them.