WARRIORS’ new managing director Gus MacKay insists the club’s commercial department must replicate the ‘hard work’ being done on the field if Worcester are to ‘kick on’.
Mackay, the former chief executive of Sussex CCC and London Broncos and the former managing director of Surrey CCC, arrived three weeks ago and is buoyant about the commercial potential the club holds.
“It’s been a good start to the role, I’ve gotten to grips with things pretty quickly and there’s plenty to do, so it’s great to be here” said the former Zimbabwe international cricketer.
“I have a lot of love for sport and I’m passionate about rugby. I’ve spent most my life playing sport and working in the industry and it becomes addictive, so that’s what drives me. Working at a sport organisation is brilliant and I’m very lucky, but it’s still a business and we must not forget that.
“We’re the Warriors both on and off the field, so having a one club ethos and the right culture environment, which is something the rugby side is working on, is something we have to make sure we replicate off the field.
“It doesn’t matter what sport you’re in, it’s all about delivering entertainment. We want fans leaving here wanting more. You’re not always going to see a win, but the game day experience is just as important as the result. Bad experiences can spread very quickly, but so can good ones.
“There’s a lot of potential here. We have the solid foundations in place to grow the business, so we just have to maximise every opportunity that comes along.
“It took Exeter seven years to get to where they are now and that took a lot of hard work and stability. It’s not always about throwing lots of money at a club.
“I think Worcester can follow the plan Exeter have, but we have to move forward one step at a time. We don’t have a lot of the luxuries other clubs do in terms of finance and that’s why stability is so vital.”
The 49-year-old believes Sixways could play host to a range of major international events and has not ruled out plans to expand the North Stand, but insists the club shouldn’t ‘run before it can walk’.
“The pitch plays an important part of our commercial revenue streams and with the artificial surface we can host more rugby, concerts and a range of other events. We have something other clubs don’t have and we have to make the most of that,” he said.
“It’s up to us to shout above the rafters about our facilities as we have something special.
“There’s space for expansion (on the North Stand), but stage one is maximising what we have now and stage two will be looking at the bigger picture.
“Our ultimate goal is to get more people to come and support us and enjoy the Warriors experience. We’re in a good place to kick on, so I’m very buoyant about the new season.”
