Leading sports, leisure and entertainment provider Sheffield International Venues has joined the campaign to help Sheffield Eagles in their bid to be back in the Super League.
2011 was the most successful season since the Eagles’ 1998 Challenge Cup win and the club is now intent on bringing rugby league to more people than ever before in 2012.
Having reached the Grand Final in 2011, the club has satisfied the criteria to apply for the next Super League licence.
SIV is the latest city organisation to get behind the Eagles as it looks to grow and attract bigger crowds to ensure the club is ready to join the top flight and become the venue of showpiece rugby league games – including Challenge Cup Semi-finals and internationals.
The partnership comes as the Eagles launch their new 2012 season tickets headlined by the fact they are the only professional sports club in Sheffield to offer free season tickets to young people aged 16 and under. The season ticket package includes various swimming, skating and fitness passes from SIV.
SIV chief executive Steve Brailey, said: “Don Valley Stadium has been the club’s home for 20 years and we want the team to do well. We want the city to get behind the team.
“We already have connections with professional sports teams across the city including Sheffield United, Wednesday, the Sharks and the Steelers. This is all about working together for the good of the sport, youth sport and the city. Securing bigger crowds to watch the Eagles can only bring about positives.”
The club will play its Co-operative Championship games at Don Valley Stadium and Bramall Lane from March 11 this year.
Sheffield Eagles CEO Mark Aston, said: “We have the team, now we need the people of Sheffield to get behind our bid to bring Super League back to their city.
“We have ambitions to return to the Super League and using connections like Sheffield International Venues, and making the game accessible to all via reasonable pricing, can help us do just that.
“This season looks set to be exciting. Hopefully, the people who supported the club in the Super League days but drifted away, will come back and give us a try. We want to bring in the people to help create a great atmosphere.”
The new season starts on March 11 against Swindon Lions (KO 3pm) and includes a carnival day at Don Valley Stadium from 1.30pm with bouncy castles, gunge tanks, rodeo bulls, bouncy castles, face painting, prize draws and much more.
For further details visit www.sheffieldeagles.com.
