The away shirt is available online since this morning I see. That post on Facebook only seems to me to refer to a jersey.... Where is the wide range of supporter merchandise that Mr Saul promised in that press release when he said it would all be available on Sat last??

This was posted on facebook by the Branch

It was planned that the away kit would be available in Elverys stores on Saturday 25th August, but due to circumstances out of our control this date has been pushed out. We will update you on this ASAP.

Thank you for your patience and we look forward to seeing you at the Sportsground this Saturday when Connacht take on Cardiff Blues. KO 5pm.

Its not much but it's something. It seems to imply that its a cock-up by rugbytech or Elvery's which should not surprise anyone on this site.

Robbo wrote:

Porterbelly wrote: Just read today that Rugbytech are now owned by NAMA, as I'd imagine are Elverys as the owner of them is the same person. And guess what, he's on the Professional Games Board!

Source on this?

The Stauntons are definitely on NAMA's radar but this is rather old news :-

namawinelake.wordpress.com/2012/04/14/na...-dublins-high-court/

There was an article on this in the Sunday Times yesterday. Can't seem to find an online version though. Interestingly it puts the ST sales at 3,500.

Porterbelly wrote: Just read today that Rugbytech are now owned by NAMA, as I'd imagine are Elverys as the owner of them is the same person. And guess what, he's on the Professional Games Board!

Source on this?

Or half empty depending on how you look at it !!

Greendragon wrote:

Fourdogs wrote: Greendragon

Take and accept your point on the merchandising but nobody seems to want to comment or address any of the issues on the total lack of info or involvement from both the Committee or Branch on the away trips.

First HC away match is only 6 weeks away and there has not been one official comment by Branch or the committee, dispite assurances that there would be someone specifically looking after this area this year.

Just have a look at both the Ulster and Munster sites. Both have full travel packages for all 3 of there away HC matches.

Point taken Fourdogs, to be honest I don't particularly care what the other Provinces get up to, but as you say we could learn some things about the way they go about their business.
The point I was making was that the Connacht Clan Committee are made up of people like you and me, supporters of Connacht Rugby.To lay any blame on volunteers is wrong in my book.
The second point is that we have a reputedly brilliant Marketing Manager at the Branch who was once responsible for marketing at the WRU. Surely away trips for whatever competition !! falls under his remit, it's about marketing the Branch. I'm not saying that Alex Saul should organise away trips but he should be liasing and delegating between the Branch and the Clan.
You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it drink !!!!! there have been many times over the last couple of seasons that the committee have tried to organise trips both in Ireland and abroad, but buses etc have been cancelled due to lack of interest or by folk wanting to arrange their own trips. Don't know how we get over this hurdle but I'm sure the committee are on it as we speak.

That glass of yours looks at least half full

Fourdogs wrote: Greendragon

Take and accept your point on the merchandising but nobody seems to want to comment or address any of the issues on the total lack of info or involvement from both the Committee or Branch on the away trips.

First HC away match is only 6 weeks away and there has not been one official comment by Branch or the committee, dispite assurances that there would be someone specifically looking after this area this year.

Just have a look at both the Ulster and Munster sites. Both have full travel packages for all 3 of there away HC matches.

Point taken Fourdogs, to be honest I don't particularly care what the other Provinces get up to, but as you say we could learn some things about the way they go about their business.
The point I was making was that the Connacht Clan Committee are made up of people like you and me, supporters of Connacht Rugby.To lay any blame on volunteers is wrong in my book.
The second point is that we have a reputedly brilliant Marketing Manager at the Branch who was once responsible for marketing at the WRU. Surely away trips for whatever competition !! falls under his remit, it's about marketing the Branch. I'm not saying that Alex Saul should organise away trips but he should be liasing and delegating between the Branch and the Clan.
You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make it drink !!!!! there have been many times over the last couple of seasons that the committee have tried to organise trips both in Ireland and abroad, but buses etc have been cancelled due to lack of interest or by folk wanting to arrange their own trips. Don't know how we get over this hurdle but I'm sure the committee are on it as we speak.

Just read today that Rugbytech are now owned by NAMA, as I'd imagine are Elverys as the owner of them is the same person. And guess what, he's on the Professional Games Board!

Greendragon

Take and accept your point on the merchandising but nobody seems to want to comment or address any of the issues on the total lack of info or involvement from both the Committee or Branch on the away trips.

First HC away match is only 6 weeks away and there has not been one official comment by Branch or the committee, dispite assurances that there would be someone specifically looking after this area this year.

Just have a look at both the Ulster and Munster sites. Both have full travel packages for all 3 of there away HC matches.

connachtexile wrote: does anyone think that people could get a public q&a with Mr. Saul or how about an open letter which could be signed by people who are been affected by ST's? I don't have an ST for obvious reasons but I can understand the frustration felt by loyal people who are showing there support.

It would be no harm.

I think the season ticket issue can be dealt with. In an ideal world the tickets would be sent out much earlier (its been an issue for a few seasons, I think they could be sending them out at least in accordance to how they were bought, those who bought in May or June should have them by now but anyway for most people its not major). I'd expect Connacht will have a seperate booth set up on the opening night to deal with the Concession tickets issue. If not they deserve to be criticised. I think the Clan could be called in to help by the Branch with getting the tickets out to supporters faster.

I'm not overly bothered by the kit situation (bar the revenue Connacht are losing out on) but for others its been a recurring issue for years that Conancht fans have genuine reason to be dissapointed with as not only is it difficult for supporters to get their hands on the gear but undoubtedly the Connacht setup are missing out on much needed revenue due to an inability over a number of seasons to have their stock available in all outlets. It seems to be pot luck whether you can get your hands on gear or not. Its difficult for the Connacht staff to try and manage everything but someone needs to step in and pressurise rugbytech (or whoever is responsible) to up their game on this issue.

does anyone think that people could get a public q&a with Mr. Saul or how about an open letter which could be signed by people who are been affected by ST's? I don't have an ST for obvious reasons but I can understand the frustration felt by loyal people who are showing there support.

Fourdogs, I don't think we can lay the blame on the Clans Committee members for the short comings of the Branch.
Connacht Rugby are paying a pretty Penny to individuals whose responsibilities are to sell the club, to ensure the advertising is correct and that there is always a good supply of merchandising, which is available pre-season for supporters to buy (hopefully) before the first game of the season.!!!!
Over to you Mr Saul.

swift4prez wrote: today 25/08/12

we have not got any offical word yet about travel to away games.
will there be anything, or is there some work being done.
no point waiting till a month before the time giving info when people already booked and then complaining that the supporters didnt have any interest in connacht clan plans.

if the clan could get something together with a small profit going into the safe box then thats well and good, unlike the travel agent last year going to both quins and glaws, both had to be cancelled due to the small numbers as there was a huge different in price between them and getting ryanair flights over.

As you know there are already topics on thei forum relating to the Parma (started 27th July) and Bairritz (started 12 June)games with dozen's of supports already confirming that they have booked their flights. I have both set's booked and the hotel in Parma. Parm trip costing just over €250

WHY ARE WE NOT GETTING ANY INFO FROM ANYONE ON THE COMMITTEE . Each member of the Committee should be required to post a regular update on this forum.

A simple up to date newsletter would be a start.

As far as I can see, no body is even trying to coordinate the info of those who already posted up here that they are traveling.

I get the feeling that the Branch and to some extent the Clan Committee would prefer to run things dealing with what happens in the Sportsground only.

Let's leave the debate on the fact that the ST are only coming out next week, 4 days before the first match. That the new Jerseys are only available West of the Shannon and that there is more info in the Zebra and Biarritz websites about tickets for our games than on on our Branch site.

These are things that any forward looking club should be able to do in their sleep !!!! the official website is never updated and information to the fans is limited to say the least. I must say that the issue with season tickets not arriving for some supporters is totally unacceptable. How do we expect to flourish and be succesfull if we we cannot get the basics right ???? and as for the fiasco about the kit suppliers !!!!!! well words fail me.
Things must improve if the Branch want success, if you keep the fans happy then they will come !!!! all the team craves for is great support. So for goodness sake get things right before season kicks off. It's not much to ask for.And it's not rocket science.

today 25/08/12
we manage (just about) to launch our away jersey in one shop in the country, and as i speak that is still not up on the elverys website.

less than a week to go the season tickets are not in the supporters hands yet and for some, wont be till we have time to make it to college road to prove we are allowed them even though we have already paid for the 10weeks ago.

i seen a tweet on twitter from the leinster supporters club, about information to there away game in the heineken cup.

Leinster Supporters ‏@OLSCRugby
Our HC Bristol buses now cover Ryanair Sunday 1445,1510 & AL 1735 flights.To book send €25pp to olsc@leinsterrugby.ie via Paypal

this made me think, afaik, we have not got any offical word yet about travel to away games.
will there be anything, or is there some work being done.
no point waiting till a month before the time giving info when people already booked and then complaining that the supporters didnt have any interest in connacht clan plans.

if the clan could get something together with a small profit going into the safe box then thats well and good, unlike the travel agent last year going to both quins and glaws, both had to be cancelled due to the small numbers as there was a huge different in price between them and getting ryanair flights over.