The BOPRU Board has confirmed that Baypark Stadium, Mt Maunganui will be the venue for the Steamers Air New Zealand Cup quarterfinal on Saturday 11 October vs. the Southland Stags. Kick off at 7.35pm.  The BOPRU Board of Directors had to consider both Rotorua International Stadium and Baypark as potential venues to host a possible quarterfinal fixture.

The Board established a set of criteria to assist in determining the most suitable venue for this particular fixture. Consideration was given to the logistics involved with using the venue, the estimated financial return, sponsors commitments and historical crowd numbers.

CEO Jeremy Curragh said “We are in the privileged position of having two quality venues that are both very capable of hosting an Air New Zealand Cup playoff fixture. The Board went through a detailed process of evaluating both
venues merits when considering the most desirable outcome from this particular game.”

The Board also confirmed the ticket pricing for a potential quarterfinal. There will be one adult ticket price of $15 that will mean spectators can affectively choose where they sit in the stadium.

Curragh said “We are anticipating a crowd of 10-15,000 so we are encouraging supporters to get to the Stadium early. We have also been working proactively with Baypark and will be providing extra ticketing booths and gates behind the grandstand to assist with entry.”

The very popular Child $5 ticket will be in place as well meaning any child ticket purchased will provide the opportunity to redeem for a food item during the game. The one general admission price of $15 will assist with
logistics and help cover the extra cost the Union incurs with hosting a quarterfinal.

The Board also committed to continuing the support for the Bay of Plenty community by confirming that the Official Steamers Charity, Bluelight will benefit from the fixture by receiving $1 from every Adult ticket sold.  In announcing the potential quarterfinal ticket prices BOPRU Chairman Bruce Cameron said “When considering the ticket pricing the Board wanted to ensure that we continued the opportunity for all of the Bay of Plenty community to really get behind the Steamers, while bearing in mind the costs of holding the game and the need to contribute to the visiting teams costs.” Cameron added “We also felt it important that it take this opportunity to provide further support for our community through the Bluelight partnership.”

Note: The Steamers will hold an open training session that the public can attend from 11am to 1pm at Baypark, Mt Maunganui on Thursday 9 October.