Earlier this summer one of Hampshire’s younger players asked me what a debenture was. I was dismissive; told him they were a very expensive way of securing your international tickets and not to waste his money. So my heart sank when I discovered that The Rose Bowl was offering them too – until Commercial Director Stuart Robertson explained just how different our scheme is.

“When most sporting venues offer debentures, the only rights they give you are to purchase international tickets for seven or eight years – and you don’t get your capital back for 75. The Rose Bowl debenture scheme gives the option to buy priority tickets for up to seven years – plus pays 5% interest. Also, the length of the debenture is only seven years anyway, with the right to pull your money out after four” Stuart told me.

The same commercial realism that underlies all The Rose Bowl’s operations is behind the debenture scheme. As yet, the ground does not have the kudos of Lord’s or Twickenham so additional incentives are needed to make the offer attractive, particularly in the current tough economic climate. The development does not depend on the debenture issue either, the money for that has already been raised, but this extra cash, which could total between £1 and £4 million, will be used to oil the financial wheels of the enlarged venue.

That’s as maybe, but what does buying one of The Rose Bowl’s debentures actually mean to a Hampshire cricket fan? First off, you need to have a minimum of £2,500 to spare. This will give you the right to purchase a ticket for each ECB controlled international match and domestic final, and all of Hampshire’s Twenty20 games. It doesn’t actually give you the tickets, but the interest you will earn should at least go some way towards funding them. The tickets sold to debenture holders will be at the same price as other tickets in the same area available to the general public.

You also need to be able to tie your money up for at least four years; it isn’t like a bank or building society where you can ask for it back if you need it. Nor is it like a share, where you are free to transfer it to someone else. Nor is repayment completely guaranteed, if at the time it’s due the company cannot afford it. In short, it is like any investment you would make in any company – it’s potentially risky, as well as rewarding, so it’s best to read the small print before signing your cheque.

The Rose Bowl has three levels of debenture on offer; platinum and gold options (priced at £6,000 and £5,000 respectively) give seating on the Roof Terrace and silver at £2,500 in the new East or West Stands. Each debenture area will have its own bar, so should feel quite exclusive. Both individuals and companies can buy up to a maximum of ten debentures each.

It’s also important to point out that owning a debenture and being a Hampshire member are two completely different things. The only point where they might intersect is if in future a category of membership is offered that includes domestic Twenty20 tickets, then debenture holders who are also members will not have to pay for these tickets again, although they will be given seating in their allocated debenture area.

Full details on the scheme can be found at Rose Bowl Debenture Scheme. It’s an exciting time for The Rose Bowl; if you fancy being a part of it and have some spare cash burning a hole in your pocket, you might like to take a look.

Debenture Scheme Video

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