Rugby fans across the region will get the opportunity to be served their morning coffee by their favourite players next week when the Ospreys launch 'The Italian Job' ahead of the visit of Aironi to the Liberty Stadium on Saturday 25th September (KO 6.30pm).
As part of the build-up to the Magners League clash against the Italian newcomers to the Magners League, the squad will take to the streets in a fleet of MINI Cooper’s, the car forever immortalised in the classic sixties movie, and will head out into the region before training for a series of Italian destinations in Bridgend, Neath and Swansea.
The daily road trip will see the players heading off in convoy at 8.00am each day from Tuesday through to Friday, to visit Italian owned restaurants and cafés in the region to serve morning commuters coffee between 8.50 and 9.45am.
While some players will be taking orders and serving, there will be additional squad members meeting customers, signing autographs and posing for pictures, while there will also be cut price tickets for the game on offer to any fans who come to see them including an incredible four tickets for £10 offer.
The Italian Job tour will kick off on Tuesday when the players head to Mamma Mia on Princess Way in Swansea, Wednesday morning will see them head to Neath and Café Di Napoli on Windsor Road, Thursday’s destination is Zia Nina on Dunraven Place, Bridgend, before a return to Mamma Mia on Friday, the day before the big game. The vehicles are being kindly supplied by Trainer MINI of Swansea.
Details of the daily routes will be posted on the Ospreys website throughout the week to allow fans the opportunity to show their support for the players en route if they can’t make it to the final destination for a pre-work or school coffee.
Ospreys star Ryan Jones says that everybody at the Ospreys was looking forward to getting out into the region next week:
“It looks as though it’s going to be great fun, getting out and about in the MINI’s and getting to meet our fans in Swansea, Neath and Bridgend. Everyone knows the film The Italian Job and we are going to be able to live out our own version next week on the streets of Ospreylia on the way to the Italian cafes we are visiting. It’ll be great if we have plenty of people coming out to see us, particularly if they are able to call in for a coffee before they head off to work or school for the day.”
His team-mate Mike Phillips, added:
“I’m looking forward to getting behind the wheel of a MINI Cooper, but I’m not so sure about working one of those proper coffee machines! Hopefully I’ll be just taking orders and serving, fingers crossed. We’re all looking forward to having a bit of fun with our fans, which will hopefully help encourage a few more to come to the game against Aironi. It’s important that we get out into the community wherever we can, last year’s rubbish runs went down well with the squad and the public, so hopefully the Italian Job will be just as popular.”
Ospreys Managing Director, Roger Blyth, said:
“We are always looking at innovative ways to connect with our supporters and I think this one is definitely a great idea. For those making their way to work or school in the morning, to be served their cup of coffee by the Ospreys will certainly make their day I’d think! With the boys acting out their own Italian Job on their road trip over the course of next week, everyone in Ospreylia has the chance of joining in the fun.”