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The Reds membership drive has just hit the halfway mark.
With Memberships on sale for just 10 weeks and the 2011 Super Rugby Season still two months away the Queensland Reds have already signed-up more Members this year than the total sold for each of the past five seasons.
The Reds have always attracted a loyal and substantial group of supporters but following the comeback year in 2010 more Queenslanders are getting behind their rugby union team for Super Rugby.
The Queensland Reds First XV campaign aims to attract 15,000 supporters for the 2011 season – the First XV. Membership renewals went on sale in October. A few weeks later new Membership sales were made available.
With Christmas just one week away thousands of people have renewed or signed up to join the Reds First XV and they will receive their Membership packs shortly, including Membership Cards and merchandise.
The campaign has resulted in more people signing on as Members, at this stage of the campaign, than at any other stage since 2002. With more Queenslanders signing up every day, and with Memberships being purchased as Christmas gifts, it is expected that new benchmarks could be set in coming weeks.
Reds Coach Ewen McKenzie thanked Reds fans for their loyalty and passion.
“Rugby in 2011 is going to be different from previous years. For a start we’ve got more home games and local derbies which means we will come up against every Australian team here at home," McKenzie said.
“It’s a bigger competition in 2011 with 15 teams and I think the Reds will put up quite a fight. We aim to improve on our fifth position from 2010 and I believe the Reds are ready.”
The Reds Coach said 2011 was arguably the most important year yet for rugby across the State.
“I urge rugby fans across the State to become members of the Reds First XV and support their team in what will be a great year for the code. To be a Member of the Reds First XV is a badge of honour and I know how proud Queenslanders are of their sporting heroes,” he said.