Here’s a little shout-out to the staff at the Cardiff City Stadium.

As the Blues’ rookie squad was punished on Sunday by a powerful young set of Scarlets visitors, stadium personnel shone.

It was my family’s first rugby visit to the ground and it followed a similar PR trajectory as my soccer debut there in August. In short, the staff did a fine job in their role as the grassroots PR and marketing ambassadors.

Cheery

The stewards were cheery and chatty, the kiosk assistants were communicative and helpful.

The previous visit was particularly notable for decent second-half Clark’s Pie in the Ninian Stand.

This journey produced a pugnacious half-time coffee from a quick, efficient and smiling Grandstand vendor.

Impressive

On the field the Blues never looked like getting it right against Nigel Davies’s highly impressive unit.

Off the field it was a different picture. Good work, Cardiff City Stadium!

It was a first visit to the Bluebirds’ new home, coming a few years after a rainswept 4-0 defeat at Ninian Park.

So the trip up from west Wales – with 15-year-old son discreetly sporting his Swansea City Supporters Trust pin badge – was a chance to analyse the ground’s supporter experience.

Package

The customer service, marketing and PR package experienced on matchday is crucial to club success – and in our experience Cardiff passed with flying colours.

An advance phone call to the ticket office was met with friendly, professional and helpful assistance: “Pay on the night and you’ll save yourself a pound or two on the booking fee.”

Signage for official car parking wasn’t too visible but the shopping park next to the ground was quiet so that was an easy free option. Walk: One minute.

Crowd

A Carling Cup second round tie was only ever going to draw a small crowd and that was the case – a few score over 6,000, I think.

Even so, the ticket office operation was slick. There was no problem buying seats in the away end and a friendly fella from behind the protective glass shield took the trouble to pop out and point us in the direction of our entrance (anti-clockwise it was, for future reference).

Security staff who ushered us through mesh gates were chipper and non-officious; a steward was helpful with instructions on the use of the turnstile’s barcode ticket scanner

Roomy

The concourse was big and roomy, the toilets clean and well appointed, and the kiosk women who served pre-match coffee and half-time Clark’s Pies seemed happy in their jobs. One gave us a fine description of what to expect beneath the pie crust. Not quite Jamie’s Italian but charming nonetheless.

In our little corner of seats – and I estimate 250 away fans – the stewards were low-key and had smiles. Even when the Terriers went 3-2 up with a few minutes remaining.

Perhaps they knew instinctively the home side would equalise in the last minute and see us off with a couple of unanswered extra-time goals.

Swift

Exit from the ground at 10.15pm was easy and swift, nobody had slapped a parking ticket on the obedient Mazda 3 – and we were back home in west Swansea for an 11.30pm green tea.

So, other than 120 minutes of entertaining soccer, there was no drama on our debut at the Cardiff City Stadium.

And that, for the main part, seemed to be due to the fact that stadium staff are finely tuned in to key PR and marketing messages.

Well done, Cardiff City!

There’ll be style in the stands, and high heels on the halfway line, when Cardiff Blues hosts its first Ladies Day, in association with Cancer Research Wales this spring. 

Female rugby fans are being offered a unique day out, when Cardiff Blues take on the current Heineken Cup Champions, Leinster on March 7th, in what promises to be a thrilling game.

 
Women can purchase tickets for the match for a special price of just £5, which will also include a host of glamorous events at the Cardiff City Stadium before the game kicks off at 4pm.

Female fans will have the chance to be pampered at beauty stations, and browse fashion stands in the VIP ladies area from 2pm, as well as being entertained with live music, and the chance to meet Cardiff Blues players. A bar and light refreshments will also be available, as well as competitions and giveaways on the day.

Guests at the event are also encouraged to dress up and wear pink to show support for the Cardiff Blues official charity, Cancer Research Wales. All the money raised by the charity stays in Wales to fund vital and pioneering research into new cancer treatments. 

Cardiff Blues season ticket holders can bring female guests for only £2 (STH can purchase up to four £2 tickets) and there will be no extra charge for current female season ticket holders.

Speaking about the event, Cardiff Blues Marketing Officer, Annabelle Harries said, “Everyone is really excited about the first Cardiff Blues Ladies Day here at the Cardiff City Stadium, it’s set to be a brilliant day out for all our current female fans, as well as those who are coming to a rugby match for the first time.”

Cancer Research Wales deputy fundraising director, Liz Andrews added: “We’re delighted to be Cardiff Blues’ official charity, and encouraging women to come along and join in the fun. Not only will they be treated to first class entertainment both before and during the game, anyone who buys a ticket will also be helping the fight against cancer here in Wales.”

For tickets and information please contact the ticket office on 0845 345 1400

• Ladies day tickets NOT available in 129,201,202 &203

• Access control system will signify when a “ladies” ticket has been used to enter stadium

Ty Nant, the premier natural mineral water company, has signed a deal with the top-flight rugby team, which will see it named as a shirt sponsor, as well as supplying the water at the Cardiff Blues’ new home at the Cardiff City Stadium at Leckwith.

Sourced in the tiny hamlet of Bethania in mid Wales, and launched at the London Savoy in 1989, Ty Nant rapidly became established as a market leader in the bottled water industry. Its award-winning, distinctive blue glass design has made it a well-known product worldwide, appearing not just on restaurant tables, but also in interior design magazines, award ceremonies and Hollywood blockbusters.

As part of the deal with Cardiff Blues, Ty Nant will now supply the water to the Cardiff City Stadium at all bars on the site, including the five-star restaurant and bar at the stadium’s Premier Club, where members enjoy VIP seating and corporate hospitality.

Speaking about the deal, David Relph, General Manager, Sales and Marketing at Ty Nant said: “As a Welsh business that has a strong reputation for quality and being bold, we feel the association with Cardiff Blues encapsulates this attitude perfectly.”

Robert Norster, Cardiff Blues Chief Executive added: “We are delighted to have such an iconic ‘blue’ brand as Ty Nant on board with Cardiff Blues, and we are looking forward to a successful partnership. There are many loyal businesses that have come with us from the Arms Park, as well as organisations that are new to our corporate family during this exciting evolutionary phase for our regional team.”