Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Copperheads Rugby League Football Club to host 4 Home Events in 2023 at the Stadium at Paradise Coast
Naples, Fla. (May 9, 2023) — The Copperheads is inviting the public to come out starting this Saturday, May 20th, to the Naples 9s Rugby League Tournament, which will kick off the first of 4 total Home events at the beautiful $35M Paradise Coast Sports Complex Stadium in Naples. This state-of-the-art facility allows fans to enjoy the classic 126-year-old game under the roof (in the shade and out of the rain) this season.
At the Naples 9s, a 12-team competition with teams visiting as far away as Jamacia (Jamaican National Teams), California, Ohio, and North Carolina, to mention a few. The Naples 9s will be brought to you by the Joel Byrne Let the Goodness Shine Fund (#whatwouldjoeldo). Where we look to establish a world record for the largest Parents Versus Kids Touch Rugby Game, which will take place on the field at the Stadium between the Semi-Finals and Championship games to honor 15-year-old Joel Byrne's legacy of volunteerism.
Joel Byrne’s sudden passing hit home for Copperheads CEO & Naples 9s Tournament Director Curtis Goddard. Don Byrne, Joel’s father, was the Chief Revenue Officer of Avanan and Curtis’ Boss. Together they recently experienced success in helping grow Avanan from A Start-Up to ultimately exiting to Check Point Technologies - CHKP (NASDAQ), forming a bond as both Fathers of Sons and Co-workers.
For this event, Southwest Florida Area Non-Profits are encouraged to reach out to Curtis Goddard, the CEO of the Copperheads, to table the Naples 9s Tournament, tell the Organization's story, plus tell Tournament goers what is needed to support them between 9s Pool Play matches over the PA and/or on the Stadium's video board. Additionally, Non-Profits can give or resell Naples 9s Elimination Rounds Passes to their network for FREE.
Following the Naples 9s Tournament, the Copperheads will go on to play host to the Tampa Mayhem for the Round 1 Home Opener on Friday, June 9th at 9 PM (sponsored by BugStop Exterminators), Round 5 Whiteout against the Jacksonville Axemen on July 22nd at 8 PM (sponsored by Key Moving Services), and the Round 6 Blackout against the Atlanta Rhinos on July 29th also at 8 PM (sponsored by Smash Fitness).
For postseason events, a Home USARL South Conference Playoff would take place at Paradise Coast if the Copperheads finish first out of the four-team group at the completion of the regular season. Once the USARL South Champion is determined on Saturday, August 5th, and the Copperheads lift the Cup, they will go on to play the Pacific Coast Rugby League Conference Champion on August 26th to determine the National Champion.
All four home events will be played at the beautiful stadium at Paradise Coast Sports Complex, located at 3565 City Gate Boulevard South, in Naples. For the last two Whiteout and Blackout events, fans are urged to wear those colors in support of the Copperheads.
As a fan, if you want to hit the road with us, we encourage you to check out our opponent's websites the Jacksonville Axemen (on June 17th), the Atlanta Rhinos (on June 24th), and the Tampa Mayhem (on July 15th) for their ticketing details. As for friendly matches are concerned, it looks like the Copperheads will also be traveling for the Copperheads 2nd Annual International Club Challenge Match on July 8th, but the Copperheads are still awaiting final confirmation before releasing the name of the potential opponent.
Merchandise, including commemorative shirts in the appropriate colors, will be available for purchase at the gate for all fans looking to support us this season. Gates open one hour before kickoff for all three Regular Season Events.
Season Tickets go on sale with immediate effect. Season Tickets, including a Naples 9s All-Day Spectator Pass ($30 Adult and $15 Student Value), will be 50% off until the May 20th Naples 9s Event! Making it $45 for Adults (18+), $22.50 for Students (13-18), and Children (12 & Under) $1, which the CHILD ticket can be refunded upon request at the gate day of the event.
Season Tickets entitle the holder to sit with other diehard Copperheads fans in "The Snake Pit" under the roof (in the shade and out of the rain) at Paradise Coast Sports Complex's main grandstand, above the player entrance tunnel right on the 50-Meter line.
If you elect to purchase event tickets singularly at full price day of, including the Naples 9s Elimination Rounds Spectator Pass, these Tickets will be $20 for Adults (18+), $10 for Students (13-18), and Children (12 & Under) $1, which the CHILD ticket can be refunded upon request at the gate day of the event.
“We are excited for the opportunity to host the Naples 9s and play the 2023 Season so we can see which team has what it takes to win the USARL South Competition,” said Curtis Goddard, Copperheads RLFC Chief Executive Officer. “As always, we appreciate the enthusiasm and support from all of our sponsors and fans. Without them, the dream of playing Rugby League at Paradise Coast Sports Complex is not possible. The Game Day sponsors that are helping even to make this season possible, and we would specifically like to thank are as follows. The Naples 9s by the Joel Byrne Let the Goodness Shine Fund (#whatwouldjoeldo), Round 1 Home Opener versus the Tampa Mayhem by the BugStop Exterminators, Round 5 Whiteout against the Jacksonville Axemen by Key Moving Services, and the Round 6 match against the Atlanta Rhinos by BootyBuilder fitness equipment."
Said Goddard, "For those concerned with Summer weather patterns, last year 100% of the games at Paradise were completed mainly due to us playing at night, plus the fact that this new Stadium has state-of-the-art turf leveraging coconut husks instead of rubber pellets keeping the field cool and puddle free. Our guests stayed cool and dry due to the roof of the new $35 Million dollar Stadium keeping spectators in the shade or out of the rain all season."
More information about Rugby League is available by watching The Rules of Rugby League - Explained and The Differences Between Rugby Union & Rugby League explainer videos.
50% OFF Season Tickets are available at the following URL: https://www.copperheadsrlfc.com/event-info/2023-copperheads-rlfc-regular-season-tickets
The Copperheads RLFC are sponsored by BootyBuilder - Fitness Equipment, Joel Byrne Let the Goodness Shine Fund (#whatwouldjoeldo), BugStop Exterminators, Key Moving Services, Smash Fitness, Chiropractic Care & Rehab Center, The Wellington Group at Morgan Stanley, Aielli Restaurant Group (Seasalt, Barbatella, Dorona, and Grapino), Cloud 9 Exotics, Roger B. Rice Law Office, Gulf Coast Clays, and The Greeenhouse.
About Copperheads Rugby League Football Club (RLFC)
The Copperheads are a men’s rugby league team based in Naples, Florida, since 2018, playing at the new $35 million Paradise Coast Sports Complex, 3565 City Gate Blvd. South, Naples, FL 34117; since the 2022 season, the Copperheads RLFC announced a partnership with the UK-based Salford Red Devils Super League team to support the ongoing development of the club, both on and off the field, as it continues to help grow the sport’s popularity. Each season, top Copperheads players have the potential to train-on with the Red Devils, creating competition and mentorship on the Southwest Florida side and a route for top players to get to play, train and develop in England.
For more information, visit https://www.copperheadsrlfc.com/ and follow the team on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
