RESPECT THE FANS' VIEWS

26 February 2005

I Don't think I have read a more compelling argument for reinstating the name White Rock for Swansea's new stadium than the one put forward by Paul Edwards (Have Your Say, February 22). As he correctly points out, the travelling fans' radius is far greater than the city of Swansea and it makes good commercial sense to capitalise on every aspect of this impressive new sporting facility, not just the stadium name.

All too often, the downfall of sporting enterprises happens when sentiment or stubbornness at the top gets in the way of a sensible business strategy.

The main income stream for the stadium is always going to come from the fans and their views should be heard and respected.

Nigel Banfield, St Helen's Road, Swansea

White Rock or Bust

Extract from Inside Swansea Council
Wednesday, February 23, 2005

A letter in last night's Evening Post seeks to ressurrect the name of White Rock for the new stadium. It is not going to happen. The powers that be seem to have settled on "The City of Swansea Stadium" prefaced by the name of whoever pays up enough cash.

The letter writer adds that "It does not take much imagination to work out that you can actually raise more money by doing sponsorship deals on different parts of the stadium."

He should rest easy, even Swansea Council have thought of that one and when the name is decided it will be as part of a whole package including the sponsorship and naming of the stands.

WHITE ROCK IS JUST RIGHT

22 February 2005

Despite efforts by the marketing gurus, the name White Rock stubbornly remains embedded in the local sporting scene. This is because it is a powerful name that conjures up the right image of confidence.

To my mind, no-one has come up with anything better for the new Swansea stadium.You ask why it should not be called The City of Swansea Stadium. Surely the answer is that, just like the Evening Post's circulation, the fan-base of the Swans and the Ospreys is much wider than Swansea's civic boundaries.

This is probably why a recent poll on the Jack Army website found that six out of 10 voted for the name White Rock.

As a matter of interest, more people voted for Dave than City of Swansea.

It does not take much imagination to work out that you can actually raise more money by doing sponsorship deals on different parts of the stadium.The Hyder Stand in the Millennium Stadium is an example of this approach.

Those in charge should be a bit more mature and reinstate the name.

Paul Edwards, Danygraig Road, St Thomas, Swansea

STADIUM NAME

18 February 2005

Regarding the name for the stadium in Morfa, Swansea, if Fosters Gnoll was acceptable why not sponsor it White Rock Stadium or, alternatively, Taweside.

G M James, Venables Close, Fforestfach, Swansea

STADIUM SPONSOR TROUBLE REJECTED

16 February 2005

Swansea Council has dismissed rumours that there are problems over naming rights for the city's new £27 million stadium. They have insisted rumours that the ground's bosses are likely to get only half the expected £800,000 in stadium sponsorship are simply not true.

The opening of the new home for football and rugby in Swansea is just months away, but the impressive-looking venue still has no name. That has caused increasing concern among interested onlookers.

Some fans have expressed regret at the dropping of the White Rock working title in favour of chasing a money-generating commercial choice.

The council insisted that progress was being made but that has not stopped sources on a website suggesting the behind-the-scenes negotiations to pull off a big-money deal were faltering.

The site, named Inside Out @ Swansea, said the speculation among PR consultants is that talks over naming rights for Swansea's new stadium have gone belly-up.

It added: "Consultants who were talking in terms of more than £800,000 in sponsorship now apparently admit figures of less than half the original sum are more likely.

"The council was keen to distance itself from the content of the website.

A spokeswoman said: "Swansea's new stadium offers potential sponsors a wonderful opportunity to be associated with one of Europe's finest regional sports venues.

"It presents a fantastic package of sponsorship opportunities connected to the stadium naming rights, stand sponsorship and right to supply the bars. The unsubstantiated rumours on an anonymous website are untrue."

The website is the latest one to give its own take on the naming of the stadium.

Earlier this month, Jack Army, the Swansea City football supporters' website, claimed it would be called The City of Swansea Stadium. And should a sponsor be found, the name would change slightly to accommodate it, the site claimed.

A spokesman for Swansea Council refused to comment on the suggestion.

CALL THE SITE WHITE ROCK

8 February 2005

The problem in selecting a suitable name for the sports stadium at Morfa is difficult since it will be the home of the Swans and the Ospreys. Unless a suitable name incorporating both clubs can be found, a simple title must be considered. White Rock Stadium seems fine to me and since it was the original title I'll settle for that.

Gwyn Evans, Garth View, Ynysforgan, Swansea

New Chief hails £27 million new stadium

The new Chief Executive of Swansea’s £27 million stadium has hailed it the best regional sports venue in Wales.

The state-of-the-art stadium will be home to the Ospreys regional rugby team and Swansea City when it opens in time for the 2005/6 season.

Tim Howell, who has been appointed as Chief Executive of Stadco, the stadium’s management company, believes the 20,000-seat stadium will become a major venue attracting people and businesses to a wide variety of events.

Mr Howell said, "This is the best 20,000-seat stadium I have ever seen. I base a lot of my career decisions on gut feeling and when I visited the stadium for the first time it made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

"I've always been sports mad so this is a dream job for me. I love watching The Swans and The Ospreys and, whenever I can, I enjoy all forms of sport.

"Hopefully, knowing both the clubs well will help me to support them in their pursuit of sporting excellence."

Mr Howell, who was previously General Manager at the Glamorgan Health and Racquet Club, plans to broaden the appeal of the stadium by encouraging business opportunities through match-day hospitality and commercial lettings at the stadium.

He also plans to involve the local and wider community in the stadium – creating a people’s stadium.

Mr Howell said, "I am determined to give as much support as I can to local businesses to maximise their earning potential on the back of events at the Stadium.

"The implications of the new stadium are obviously enormous for both the clubs, but go much wider than that. It’s a massive leap for the city as a whole and is the best regional stadium in Wales.

"As the Chief Executive of Stadco, my remit is to turn the stadium into a premier venue. Rugby and football are imperative but I also want to see us staging some fantastic events, making the stadium and Swansea a premier destination.

"We want this to be a venue for everybody in Swansea and the surrounding area, whether our guests wish to join us for lunch, host a business conference or watch a fantastic home match. It will be an "all year" venue accommodating activities as diverse as educational visits, community events, large banquets and even weddings!"

The stadium – the first purpose-built football and rugby stadium in the country - is being funded by Swansea Council.

Gerald Clement, Swansea Council Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, said, we are delighted to have Tim on board. He brings a wealth of experience and an exciting vision to the stadium.


FACTFILE
Tim Howell hails from Brighton but he moved to Swansea in 1994 after marrying his Swansea-born wife whom he met at university.

He has more than 20 years experience in leisure management in both the public and private sectors.

He was previously Operations Director for three large health clubs in Brighton and spent six years managing council-owned leisure centres in Swansea.

In 2000 he became General Manager of The Glamorgan Health and Racquet Club at Llandarcy.

The Club has developed into one of the most successful leisure clubs in Wales. During the past two years both The Swans and The Ospreys have become members.

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