<fc='green'>There have been a number of enquiries regarding the renewals, upgrading of members and positions on current associate membership list.

The following information has been prepared for the Supporters Club management and committee which hopefully will address all queries raised.</fc>

Set tougher targets?

John Rochford was chairman of the Munster Rugby Supporters Club for the two seasons 2005-7.

At the AGM's, John presented the long term objectives of the Club including:

• Over 10,000 members of the Supporters Club
  
• Over 10,00 season tickets sold
  
• Over €2m contribution to Munster Rugby

This season saw those objectives met with:

• 11,350 adult members for 2009/10 season together with 1,204 junior members for 2010 resulting in a total of 12,554 members
  
• 4,124 tickets sold for Munster's Magners League matches at Musgrave and 7,766 for Thomond matches resulting in a total equivalent of 11,890 single venue season tickets
  
• Income during the renewal period in terms of Magners League season tickets; Heineken Cup home pool tickets; and, membership fees just exceeded €2.08m

This reflects very well in terms of benefits and performance of the club in recent years.

As for the next targets........


Why were the membership packs delayed and issued in a piecemeal basis?

Glyn Billinghurst, Sales & Marketing Manager with Munster Rugby is responsible for the Ticket Office and comments:
<fc='green'>There were a number of contributing factors which caused the issues, a key one being the decision to purchase the season ticket cards from a new supplier in Europe, the objective being to reduce the lead-time and improve service – we have unfortunately been let down by this supplier on three different occasions which have had a knock on effect to members of the Supporters Club.

With the increase in MRSC members and season ticket holders over the last 18 months the demands on this Ticket Office to manage the pre-season set up and increasing number of lotteries has significantly increased. It has now become clear that the Ticket Office could not offer the level of customer service that we require and that is rightly demanded of us as a service lead business. Munster Rugby are therefore currently recruiting a Senior Ticket Officer to help specifically manage the MRSC and 10 year ticket holders. The MRSC are also restructuring their team, under the management of Jennifer Kiernan, to increase the level of focus on ticketing.</fc>

A meeting has already been held with MRSC, Ticket Office and Glyn Billinghurst, planning renewals for 2008/9 and discussions are ongoing with software providers, card printers, etc. It may be that renewals are brought back from previous June period to try to target packs issuing before pre-season.

Full details will issue as plans develop.


What was the increase in membership in 2009/10?

For 2008/9 Season:
Full Members 3,023 Associate Members 6,596 Total 9,619

For 2009/10
Full Members 3,224 Associate Members 8,126 Total 11,350

How can there be 3,224 full members with only 3,000 Heineken Cup tickets available?
Due to re-organisation within Thomond Park, Munster Rugby have slightly increased the capacity of the ground and the Supporters Club have received an additional seating allocation for the coming season of 200 tickets. This applies to 2009/10 season only.

This increases the Heineken Cup allocation to MRSC for 2009/10 to 3,200. Furthermore, 83 full members elected not to purchase home Heineken Cup pool tickets - 3,141 full members did purchase.

There could be a problem if all members renew next season, if all renewing full members select to purchase the Heineken Cup tickets, and, if there is no increased allocation to the Supporters Club, especially if, as expected, the temporary increase due to re-organisation is only for one season . However, based upon previous non-renewals and full members without Heineken Cup tickets, a figure of 3,224 full members should be accommodated next season - but may mean no associates offered upgrade to full membership.

Further details will become known nearer membership renewal period for 2010/11.

What will happen the 59 tickets for the Heineken Cup home pool games that were not purchased by Full Members?

83 full members did not purchase Heineken Cup home pool tickets. The number of full members is 3,224 – 24 over our allocation. This results in a balance of 59 tickets.

These will be the subject of a lottery for associate members with combined season tickets.

Should any additional tickets be received by the Supporters Club, they also will be entered into the lottery.


How many Associate Members were upgraded to full membership this season?

During the renewal process, we asked the lower number associate members if they would like to be offered full membership if available so as to help speed up the Upgrade Process. Subsequently, a further 80 associate members were offered upgrade to full membership.

All Associate Members upto membership number 6,107 were offered full membership.

122 did not elect to upgrade.

How many full members did not renew - to give me indication for future non-renewals?

123 Full Members did not renew their membership.

A number of these did not intend not to renew but forgot - but could not renew late as this is not permitted by the constitution.


How many associate members are in each category of season ticket for the purposes of lottery for tickets?

1,578 associate members purchased combined season.

They will have priority over the 3,355 associate members with single-venue season tickets, who in turn will have priority over the 3,193 associate members without season ticket.



Will those full members who selected not to purchase Heineken Cup home pool tickets be entitled to Heineken Cup pool tickets next season?

Yes - as has been the case in previous seasons.


Will associate members who declined upgrade to full membership this season be offered full membership again?

Yes. This is what has happened in previous seasons and will continue as these members retain their membership number and so are at top of waiting list for associate membership.

There are 122 associate members upto number 6,107 who were offered upgrade this season and declined. Some of these would have been offered upgrade also in previous season(s).



Where am I on the waiting list for full membership?

A selection of milestone positions on the list of associate members are as follows:

1st – Membership number 3,220
100th – Membership number 5,911
123rd – Membership number 6,111
200th – Membership number 6,234
500th– Membership number 7,550
750th – Membership number 7,991
1000th – Membership number 8,492
2,000th – Membership number 10,628
3,000th – Membership number 13,762
4,000th – Membership number 16,213
5,000th – Membership number 17,681

The current highest associate membership number is 22,719

Your position on the waiting list for full membership will improve in the event of associate members with a lower membership number not renewing. It could disimprove slightly if some junior members reach the age of 16 and request to transfer from junior membership to associate membership.

Junior membership numbers commence at 6,280 and end at 23,229









Filed by T 031209
Updated by T 041209