Leeds Rugby Limited have today revealed their company vision statement for Headingley Stadium and the company until 2006 which commits the company to the redevelopment of the rugby stadium as well as making the business profitable and forward thinking.

The vision statement is the culmination of months of work alongside government agency Business Link and sets out an ambition plan to improve standards at the stadium.

The business statement is as follows:

‘To be the leader in club rugby and a profitable business that will support investment in Headingley by 2006.’

Commenting on the vision Chief Executive Gary Hetherington said, ‘We are committed to improving facilities here at Headingley and we are trying to form partnerships to help turn our vision into reality.

‘We are aware that Leeds fans have seen many plans for the re-development of Headingley in the past that have not come to fruition which is why we are not about to make any premature promises, only that we are totally committed to restoring Headingley to the international venue it once was,’ added Hetherington.

But it is not just the stadium that will see improvements in the coming years, Leeds Rugby have also undertaken an exhaustive study of other business’ and sporting organisations to help attain their goal. A new level of middle management has been given ownership to take the company forward and Hetherington added, ‘We are undertaking a cultural change here at Headingley. We have an outstanding team of staff who are totally committed to implementing the vision statement. Hopefully, over the next twelve months the fans will begin to see the benefits of these changes and over the coming years the further development of Headingley. We are working closer than ever with Yorkshire CCC to make Headingley an iconic venue in world sport and welcome their ambitious plans for the cricket stadium.’

Headingley is one of the oldest rugby stadiums in world rugby having been on the current site since 1889. The stadium has hosted of 33 Rugby League Test matches between Great Britain and Australia, New Zealand or France. In recent years, both the Tetley’s South Stand and the Radio Aire North Stand have been re-roofed with the current capacity set at 21,000.

For further information contact:

Phil Daly
Media Manager
Tel: 0113 2786181 ext. 246
Fax: 0113 2307617
Mob:07775 946935