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Leeds Rhinos can cash in on World Club Challenge glory - Hetherington
Gary Hetherington.
LEEDS RHINOS are preparing to reap immediate and future benefits from their record-equalling third World Club Challenge triumph.
Chief executive Gary Hetherington and his senior staff were today beginning a two-day brainstorming session on the north east coast which will reflect on Rhinos’ latest triumph and plan how to make the most of their world champion status.
Hetherington reckons Rhinos have rewarded their loyal fans, brought pride to the city and to the sport and given their business a huge boost at home and abroad – but he also accepts that it will make things tougher for the team on the field.
A crowd of more than 21,000 saw Rhinos add the world title to their Super League crown with an epic 26-12 win over Australian NRL champions Manly Sea Eagles at Headingley Carnegie four days ago.
Impact
Hetherington predicted: “It is going to have an immediate impact and an effect in the medium to long term.
“The first thing is the elation it has brought to the fans. As a sports fan, everybody experiences highs and lows.
“When you experience the delight that our fans experienced on Friday, it makes it very special to be a Leeds Rhinos supporter.
“Some fans support a team for a lifetime and never get to experience that type of pride and elation, so it is a real reward for being a loyal fan.”
Hetherington said that Rhinos have brought “pride to the city” and claimed that they had also “brought credibility to English rugby league, both here and particularly in Australia and New Zealand”.
he added: “There are tangible benefits, for example season ticket membership. We’ve only had one home Super League game so far, so season tickets still represent great value.
“We have already had quite a lot of inquiries on sales of season tickets and our next home game is not until March 9.
“Hopefully we will see quite a boost in that period, in renewals and particularly in new converts.”
Corporate sales have also been given a shot in the arm, according to Hetherington.
He said a number of regional and national companies had been at Headingley for the first time on Friday.
Hetherington added: “The feedback we got was that they all had a great experience and would want to come back.
“Heads of department will be going away for two days this week and what we will focus on as a group is how we can maximise the potential of our world champion status.”
Hetherington believes the win over Manly will have “global” implications.
“Our profile has been enhanced both at home and abroad,” he said. “The game on Friday was apparently shown in 32 countries and will have had a huge international television audience.
Potential
“We see that as the potential to attract new companies to our club and indeed to our game.
“On Friday we had senior representatives from Heinz, Etihad and one of Australia’s biggest recycling companies, URM, at Headingley Carnegie for the first time.
“They were blown away by the quality of the product on offer. In terms of attracting new brands to our game and to our club, it is a huge opportunity.”
Looking further ahead, the chief executive said the world title triumph will boost the Leeds Rugby Foundation, which will now have another major trophy to take around clubs and schools in the area.
And he said it has given young players on the fringe of the first team something fresh to aspire to.
But Hetherington warned: “On Sunday we’ve got Widnes away and we are up and running in what is going to be a long, tough season.
“In terms of the team, Brian (coach Brian McDermott) and his players will be planning to use Friday as a springboard for the season.
“But Friday’s win will make it even tougher because every team wants to knock the champions over.
“We have got 25 Super League games to play and the prospect of being able to beat the world champions is going to make every one of them a real battle.
“that’s the challenge that goes with the title and with that status.
“It will certainly make it harder, but on the other hand, once again the team have demonstrated that they can perform at the toughest times, under the greatest pressure.
Not only do we know that, but all the other teams know that as well.”
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Saturday 26 May 2012
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