Edgbaston set for record T20 gate after ticket promotion

EDGBASTON Stadium is expecting a record attendance for a Friends Life t20 fixture on Friday June 15 after a ticket promotion in association with leading sponsor Marston’s Pedigree.

The 20-over game sees Warwickshire Bears take on local rivals, the Worcestershire Royals, in what is traditionally one of the cricket season’s most competitive derby fixtures.

Wolverhampton-based Marston’s, whose Pedigree brand is the official beer of both Warwickshire and Worcestershire, has sponsored the promotion for the game by giving away almost 20,000 tickets.

The match, which starts at 5.10pm, is being shown live on Sky Sports and when the cricket has finished fans will be able to see England’s footballers take on Sweden in the European Championships live on big screens.

Colin Povey, chief executive of Edgbaston Stadium, said: “As part of our promotion with Marston’s Pedigree, we were originally scheduled to give away a maximum of 10,000 tickets (500 each day) across the 20-day promotion. But after a phenomenal response, we were keen to distribute even more tickets and ensure that we have a packed Edgbaston that can get behind the Bears for our first home match of the tournament.”

As part of the marketing for this fixture, Marston’s produced branded beermats and posters that were distributed to 60 pubs as well as many cricket clubs across the West Midlands. Additionally, the commercial team at Edgbaston utilised its ticketing database and social media channels to showcase a special tournament video, which includes highlights of Bears matches from last season, mixed with the campaign creative.

Des Gallagher, Head of Brands Marketing at Marston’s Beer Company, said: “The match between Warwickshire and Worcestershire is always a great fixture and as a supporter of both counties, we were keen to give even more spectators an opportunity to experience the local rivalry.

“Allocating these tickets to ensure a capacity crowd in just two weeks proves just how big the appetite is for FLt20 cricket.”

Greatest living explorer to compere BYPY

BRITAIN’S greatest living explorer Sir Ranulph Fiennes, left, will be the host of this year’s Birmingham Young Professional of the Year awards ceremony, which takes place at the ICC tonight.
 
Sir Ranulph will take to the stage alongside BYPY chair of judges Vij Randeniya, chief fire officer of the West Midlands Fire Service.
 
Rebecca Mawdsley, BYPY committee chair and operations director at eNL Legal Recruitment, said: “I can’t quite believe we have Sir Ranulph Fiennes compering this year’s event, I’m so thrilled.

“Sir Ranulph is a remarkable individual who has pushed himself to levels some of us can’t even contemplate.  His willingness to be challenged, show determination to succeed and ultimately to overcome significant risk are all attributes our young professionals will relate to.”

The awards are being contested by 18 finalists from the communications, entrepreneurial, financial services, legal, property and HR, recruitment and training sectors across Birmingham. Recognition will also be given to the most Inspiring Leader and, new for 2012, Aspiring Talent.
 
Those attending this year’s event will be raising money for UpRising – a leadership programme designed to equip talented young adults aged 19-25 from diverse backgrounds with the life skills, training, experience, networks and confidence they need to succeed.

Coventry Sports Foundation enjoys record quarter for new members

COVENTRY sports and leisure provider, Coventry Sports Foundation (CSF), which runs The Alan Higgs Centre in Foleshill and The Xcel Leisure Centre in Canley, has broken new membership levels for a three-month period.

Aman Surey, marketing and communications manager at CSF, said: “We are really encouraged by our latest figures for our fourth quarter (January-March) when we compare them to the same three months in 2011.

“To have retained and increased membership despite facing extra competition not only in terms of the opening of other gyms but the fact that everyone remains cash conscious when choosing how to spend their hard-earned salaries is a testament to the standards we provide.”