Strong interest in Perth's Super 14 side - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Strong interest in Perth's Super 14 side

By James Dampney 18/10/2005 06:57:08 PM Comments (0)

The Western Force continue to attract strong interest in Perth ahead of their Super 14 debut next year, now boasting over 19,000 members.

The club originally budgeted for 4,400 members in its bid to secure the fourth Australian franchise in the expanded competition, but is exceeding all expectations.

More than 13,000 people applied for memberships immediately following the decision in December last year to hand the new franchise to the Rugby WA bid ahead of Melbourne.

With the team commencing its first official training session under coach John Mitchell two weeks ago, numbers have now swollen to over 19,000.

It continues a strong start for the Force in the local community.

At a function in July to reveal the club's playing strip and naming rights sponsor, 850 guests attended and two jerseys - one home and one away - were auctioned for an astonishing $30,000 apiece.

"We had the biggest Australian Super 14 membership base within a week of our membership launch, but this latest figure eclipses that," Force chief executive Peter O'Meara said.

"With at least 19,000 members and the strong corporate support, each of our six home games is going to be overflowing with atmosphere."

The Force will play its home games at Subiaco Oval next year while upgrades take place at Members Equity Stadium, which will be its long-term home.

The support comes after a solid recruiting drive that netted the likes of Wallabies vice-captain Nathan Sharpe, Brendan Cannon and Cameron Shepherd.

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