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Title: Doncaster Dragons Subtitle: Name Change to Lakers Author: John Wright  ID & Publication: 20050911008 ~ The-Villager.co.uk  Area: Doncaster  Subject: Sport (Local)

Doncaster Dragons have changed their name to Doncaster Lakers to coincide with the National League One club having signed a 25 year deal to play Rugby League at the new Doncaster Lakeside Community Sports Complex. The name change is part of an ambitious project by Chairman, John Wright, to fulfil his dream of Super League Rugby in the progressive South Yorkshire town. At the signing on Monday it was announced that the 15,000 capacity stadium will be completed in December 2006, well on schedule for the start of the 2007 Rugby League season.

‘The Dragons have had arguably the most successful period in their chequered history in the past 4 seasons having maintained a mid table position in the first division, but it is time to move on. The Lakers will provide a Rugby League match day experience of the highest quality, from day one, at the new stadium, and we need to attract as many old and new supporters to the game as we can. Rugby League is branded ‘the family sport’ where young and old alike feel safe in a friendly fun filled atmosphere, and we need to get that message over to potential Lakers supporters. We will be asking anyone interested in Rugby League in South Yorkshire to register their details on our Lakers database so that we can send details, preferably by email, of club news, special offers etc. People registered on the database will get discounted season ticket and merchandise offers, and for the first season in the new stadium we are offering 50 free season tickets to database members to be decided by a Grand Draw in December 2006, with existing season ticket purchaser being refunded the full value of their ticket if they are lucky enough to win’, explained the exuberant Lakers Chairman.

Wright has promised to increase his already considerable financial backing at the club to ensure that a quality marketing package is delivered to all the Doncaster residents which will include a brochure and possibly a DVD with computer links. ‘We need to get 15,000 watching our great game of Rugby League from the offset and we will pitch the price to make it affordable for our family market. It is better to have a full stadium at a price everyone can afford than a half empty stadium, and that will be our pricing philosophy. Pre-match entertainment by way of local bands and dance troupes will make a day at the Lakers one to look forward to for all the family’, said, Chief Executive, Ray Green. It seems that the new Lakers will be an experience not to be missed, come the summer of 2007.

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