The Penrith Panthers will further strengthen their ties with the community after announcing a special membership initiative that breaks new ground in the National Rugby League.
The Panthers have confirmed that Bay 15 in the Western Terrace will be known as “Prowl Bay” with locals encouraged to buy memberships and donate them back to the club. The tickets will then be used for community initiatives.
“It could be nurses who use the tickets, it could be service people, it could be fire fighters, it could be Indigenous groups, it could be children’s groups, it could be schools,” said Panthers Head of Business Development, Justin Pascoe.
“It’s about connecting us to the community more. We have an enormous brand here that is powerful within the community and we should be utilising that within the community.”
The entire Panthers first grade squad as well as senior management and the Board have agreed to purchase memberships.
State Member for Penrith, Stuart Ayres, is the ambassador for the initiative.
“I think it’s a real privilege to be the ambassador of Prowl Bay,” he said.
“We want to be able to get members of the community, our corporate citizens and businesses to get in and support the Panthers organisation.
“They have shown themselves to be a really community oriented club and the strength of spirit in the Penrith community is on show.”
Mr Pascoe said around 330 seats would ultimately be available in Prowl Bay.
“We would anticipate that it will be strongly supported,” he said.
“This will be a concession season ticket membership price of $150. If there’s corporations out there that would like to buy 10 or more, the price will reduce to $125.”
Mr Pascoe said this was breaking new ground when it came to sporting memberships.
“This will be the first time it’s done in any code in Australian sport and we are very proud and privileged to be doing it,” he said.
“Each of the people or corporations who donate back will get their name stenciled onto the seat.”
Anyone interested can contact Panthers at www.penrithpanthers.com.au or call 4720 5575.
