Indiantelevision.com Team

(7 November 2008 5:00 pm)

MUMBAI: Rajasthan Royals, which won the inaugural edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL), has announced the first structured IPL team membership programme.

Maharaja Sawai Bhavani Singhji unveiled the five-tier membership programme and was presented with the first membership by the Rajasthan Royals.

The membership programme, dubbed The Royal’s Army, consists of five membership packages for the Royal’s Fans – The Maharajah Club, The Captain’s Club, The Royal Lions Club, The Royal Bugles Club and for fans aged between 5-15 years, The Young Royals Club. This gives an opportunity for every Royal’s fan to be part of an exclusive community.

Rajasthan Royals vice chairman Ravi Krishnan says, “The creation and launch of the Royal’s Army fan club is part of the strategic development of the Rajasthan Royals. The programme has been created by adopting global best practices and combined with elements that make the packages attractive for our community of fans both locally and globally.

"The launch of the Royal’s Army membership programme has been timed to allow our Loyal Royals to become part of this exclusive community prior to the Champions League 2008 and the IPL 2009.”

Australian all rounder Shane Watson who is also a member of the Rajasthan Royals says, “The membership programme will enable our army of supporters to uniquely connect with the Rajasthan Royals. The support the Rajasthan Royals received from its fans and well wishers was truly overwhelming and this gives us an opportunity to make them part of the team”.

The membership programme has been designed and constructed to provide a package for Royal’s fans whether they are in Rajasthan or for those who follow the Rajasthan Royals wherever they reside.

The privileges that every member receives varies according to the package chosen with benefits ranging from season tickets, specially autographed bats, official team jerseys, preferential access to tickets sold online, chance to win photo opportunities with favorite Rajasthan Royals players, exclusive invitations to season ending party, etc.

An added bonus of becoming a member for IPL season 2009 is a seat to the opening ceremony which is to take place, in Jaipur, on 10 April 2009 immediately prior to the Rajasthan Royals' first match. The pricing of the membership programme begins from an affordable Rs 2500 up to to 150,000 for the Maharaja’s Club.

To include the important young fan following, children between the age of 5 -15 years can also be part of the membership programme as a member of the Young Royal’s Club. The first 300 members enrolling in The Young Royals Club will get to lead the Rajasthan Royals squad on the ground during home and away matches in IPL 2009.