Families feeling the financial strain on big days in the Park

WHEN THE new round-robin system for the hurling championship was unveiled, little did Wexford G.A.A. believe that the children of the county would be discriminated against. Now, there is much unrest and grumbling from parents in the county at the decision of Leinster Council to have no concessions for the stand.

Supporters attending the big games at Innovate Wexford Park face paying €20 for their own ticket, for the covered stand with no concessions, with parents also being asked for €20 for tickets for children as young as five-years-old for the stand, while family tickets are available for the uncovered seating at €20 each with €5 for children.

Wexford is the only venue where there are no concessions for children to the covered stand. Having checked out the admission at each of the four other venues, the general admission price is €20 for the stand with €15 for the terrace, with family tickets also being available for the stand.

The various tickets options for other venues show that Wexford Park is the only venue where there are no concessions for the stand

For the upcoming Dublin versus Offaly game in Parnell Park the general price is stand €20, terrace €15. Family tickets are also available for the stand, with adults €20, children €5, with €15 for terrace and juveniles €5.

Of interest to Wexford supporters for the Kilkenny versus Wexford game on Saturday week in Nowlan Park, the general admission prices are - Ardán Breathnach €20; Ardán na Grás €20; Ardán O Cearbhaill €20; City end terrace (no concessions) €15. Family tickets are available for the three stands at €20 each, with €5 for juveniles.

Another venue to note is Pearse Stadium. For the sell-out Galway versus Kilkenny game on Sunday, the stand was €20, with the terrace €15 (stand is reserved seating). However, family tickets were available for the stand with €20 for adults for €5 for juveniles.

Admission to last Saturday evening’s double-header at O’Connor Park, Tullamore, was: stand €20; terrace €15, with family tickets available for the stand at €20 for adults and €5 for children.

Supporters attending the top of the table Wexford versus Galway game in Innovate Wexford Park will not have the same pricing as those other venues: covered stand (no concessions) €20; uncovered seating €20; terrace €15.

Family tickets are available for uncovered seating, adults €20 and juveniles €5, with €15 for the terrace for adults, and juveniles €5.

With no concessions for the covered stand, parents are being asked to pay €20 for children as young as five-years-old to gain admission to the stand, while there’s a further stipulation covering senior citizens/students (uncovered seating/terrace): purchase full price tickets and on the day of the match they can claim a rebate of €5 when they produce appropriate I.D. at stiles Nos. 15 and 21 (uncovered seating), stile No. 9 (Clonard terrace), and stiles Nos. 24 and 25 (Pineridge terrace) prior to entry to the stadium.

Many supporters are venting their dissatisfaction with the pricing structure, with some claiming that it is turning the game in the county into an ‘elitist’ sport.

Those choosing to attend will also be hoping that the summer-like weather prevails as it would be a real dampener to ask parents, children and senior citizens to sit through the elements should one have a return to rainy conditions.

Supporters would now like to know, particularly the parents and families who are a ffamiliar part of all games at the county grounds, who is responsible for the pricing structures for the covered stand?

The G.A.A. is supposed to be an organisation for the people. It was never supposed to be elitist, but with the direction it is taking, it will not be long before it’s indistinguishable from other sports.

It must be noted that Leinster Rugby put huge emphasis on the family ticket for their top games, ensuring full houses for the Aviva Stadium.

Wexford G.A.A. cannot be complacent. It’s their county ground, and it’s their loyal supporters who are been hit in the pockets unlike supporters for other counties at their grounds.

The family is being priced out of the covered stand, because the G.A.A. insists on squeezing every penny from its loyal supporters.

It’s something that Wexford G.A.A. could have resisted as it has not been an impressive few P.R. weeks for the Association in the county.