EXP manage and run the Absa Premiership on behalf of Absa, as a result we are tasked to produce innovative experiences for supporters of the beautiful game. EXP came up with the idea of hosting a Fan Day experience, where supporters of all the Absa Premiership teams can enjoy a day spent with their heroes with loads of fun activities and prizes.
The first Fan Day took place in Pietermarizburg with Maritzburg United on the 17th of November, hosted at Harry Gwala Stadium in collaboration with Maritzburg United. Four hundred enthusiastic Maritzburg United supporters were kept entertained throughout the day with a host of activities taking place with players from the Maritzburg United team.
Supporters who were in attendance had the opportunity to interact with the entire playing squad of Maritzburg United and were able to challenge their heroes on a multitude of various platforms including foosball, PlayStation 3 and skills challenges, where the supporters even managed to outshine the players. The supporters were also able to get autographs and walked away with the pictures taken with their favourite players and the Absa Premiership trophy.
Four local schools were invited to compete in matches on the Harry Gwala pitch and the matches received fantastic support from the community. It was truly inspirational for the children of Pietermaritzburg to not only play on the same pitch as their heroes but to be cheered on by those very same heroes.
There were great prizes given away on the day including Maritzburg United playing jerseys, batches of airtime and tickets were given away to Maritzburg United’s next two home matches. In order to win these prizes supporters took penalties against the three Maritzburg United goalkeepers with successfully converted penalties qualifying for prizes.
A Press Conference was held where German coach Ernst Middendorp addressed members of the media alongside three of his players Reuben Cloete, Cuthbert Malajila and Shu-Aib Walters. The Fan Day culminated in a light training session, where the players were put through their paces.
All these activities were executed successfully to the delight of client by EXP and we look forward to the rolling out of the remaining Absa Premiership club’s Fan Days.