This article was originally published by Glasgow Warriors on 13/05/2020.
“It’s been a flying start and a great season so far.”
It’s a mark of how successful an addition to the Glasgow Warriors matchday experience it’s been that you’d be forgiven for forgetting that Club KubeNet is still in its debut season at Scotstoun. The key to its success? According to it’s matchday host, that’s simple.
“The accent has always been placed on informality and relaxation pre-match, setting the scene for the roller-coaster events that follow on the pitch,” outlines Hugh Dan MacLennan.
“Good food, relaxed company and a very special atmosphere have been the hallmarks with the aim of sending everyone into the stadium in the best of form to support Glasgow Warriors.
“One of the great attractions of the scene in Club KubeNet is the variety of guests, from die-hard rugby fans to corporate guests and parties marking special events. Pre-match entertainment always includes interviews with key players, and post-match there has always been a string of the club’s biggest names to come and offer their views on proceedings.”
For Julie Inglis, Director of KubeNet, the positive reception with which the newest addition to the Scotstoun hospitality offering has been met brings a smile to the face.
“We were a sponsor last season, and we’ve been long-standing fans of everything the club stands for,” she said.
“We were looking at different ways to increase our engagement with the Club, fans and the Business Club. As sport is now consumed across multiple social media and TV platforms, we felt that – as a business communications provider across telecoms and internet services – increasing our sponsorship and becoming more involved made perfect sense on a number of levels.
“The way the club looks after its players and gives back to the local community was something that struck a chord with us – as well as the fantastic rugby and atmosphere at every home game. We looked at what was going on with the Platinum Club [now Club KubeNet] and thought there was an opportunity for us to work together and improve the hospitality offering, and it’s been absolutely fantastic.
“We’ve got some great members and their guests that attend and it’s a fantastic environment, both socially and for networking pre and post-match. We work really well with the Warriors and events team. It gives us a great platform to raise the profile of our business, too, and allow people to find out more about what we do in a fun, relaxing environment.”
Murray Sharp is one such member. The Warriors fan and Managing Director of Glasgow-based firm Kooltech has enjoyed the hospitality of Club KubeNet on a host of occasions over the 2019/20 season, highlighting the matchday ambience as a key factor behind its popularity.
“Club KubeNet has definitely been a step above this season,” said Sharp.
“It’s an atmosphere that makes you want to come back time and time again – not only is it a great way to meet fellow business community members, but it’s really relaxed and enjoyable event alongside supporting Glasgow Warriors.
“The matchday interviews with players are always both informative and entertaining, and it’s clear that they feel relaxed enough to engage with those in attendance. The food, too, has been excellent this year, and served by staff that always have a smile on their face.”
From post-match analysis from Ryan Wilson in the wake of December’s victory over Edinburgh at Scotstoun to the ever-smiling pre-match presence of Ratu Tagive, there have been a host of memorable moments in Club KubeNet during the 2019/20 season. It’s an element of matchday that the players themselves enjoy when not called upon for their service on the pitch, allowing them to relax a little whilst still on club duty.
“The players really enjoy dropping into Club KubeNet on a matchday,” explained Zander Fagerson.
“It’s a really informal atmosphere, and to be able to mix with not just sponsors and partners but their families is a relaxed way of connecting with those associated with the club.
“It’s an experience that we’ve really enjoyed having at Scotstoun this season, and look forward to getting back there as soon as it’s possible to do so.”
Indeed the enjoyment of the Club KubeNet experience is a feeling that extends beyond current players, as November’s triumph over the Southern Kings illustrated.
“We welcomed a number of former players to Club KubeNet that night, and that ended up in a bit of a sing-song!” laughed Julie.
“That went down really well with everyone there that night. The atmosphere’s been building over the whole season; Hugh Dan’s been doing an excellent job, and it’s a lot more interactive with the chance to submit your own questions, which people appreciate.”
“That game [against the Southern Kings] was one of the highlights of the season for me,” added MacLennan.
“The best of an outstanding bunch was Graeme Morrison’s rendition of Lady in Red!”
In addition to the regular matchday offering at Scotstoun, Club KubeNet members have also been treated to a pair of spectacular off-site events at Hilton Glasgow over the course of the season. The William Street venue proved to be a show-stopping host for the occasion, with feedback universally positive – including from Julie herself.
“Both off-site events have been outstanding,” she said.
“The whole event is superb – the fact that you’ve got the transportation, the pre-match atmosphere, it creates a real sense of occasion.
“The one just before Christmas [ahead of the home clash with Edinburgh], in particular, really added that extra bit of atmosphere and occasion. We’re really proud to be associated with the club and be able to put our name to Club KubeNet.”
Phil Gallagher, Managing Director of Engineering 365, added: “The three ’special’ off site events during the season elevated the experience and were flawlessly organised.”
“Kubenet’s sponsorship of the Platinum Club has seen a huge improvement in the match day experience for the 2019/20 season.From the brilliant hosting by Hugh Dan to the small finishing touches on the tables and the quality of the food, my guests and I have always had an excellent time.”
Whilst the Guinness PRO14 remains under suspension, it’s been an impressive debut for Club KubeNet at Scotstoun in 2019/20. So in the words of Hugh Dan?
“Here’s to more of the same!”
