Event Security G4S AND THOMOND PARK: A WORLD-CLASS TEAM “ What we were looking for was a service provider that could help us deliver a world-class operation; G4S met that remit.” John Cantwell, Thomond Park Home of Munster The stadium boasts a capacity of 27,000 as Versatile G4S deliver world-class match rugby, Thomond Park well as an extensive range of conference and day experience G4S provide a wide range of services to Thomond was redeveloped in banqueting facilities. With such a high-profi le reputation and publicity from sporting events Park, including car park management, access 2007 and opened its broadcast around the world, Thomond Park management, patrolling of seating decks, playing doors in 2008. Since were looking for a partner that could help them pitch protection, access control for players’ dressing then it has hosted a deliver a world-class experience. They found that rooms, monitoring activities at hospitality areas, and huge range of events partner in G4S Secure Solutions Ireland, which VIP accreditation. – from Munster and provides security and stewarding for all events at the stadium. On match days a team of up to 300 G4S stewards international rugby are brought in to manage security and stewarding. games, international “G4S have been with us from day one, when Crucially for John, the calibre and quality of the soccer matches and we opened the redeveloped stadium in 2008. G4S team is consistent across the board and their the Special Olympics They stood out in a competitive tender process. versatility is a core strength. Opening Ceremony I was impressed by their positive approach to the contract,” explains John Cantwell, Stadium “G4S operate as part of the stadium team. A group to concerts with Director, Thomond Park. “At that time there of key G4S staff work closely with our operations performances by wasn’t that many new stadia of our size in Ireland, manager, planning and preparing for each event Bruce Springsteen, so G4S brought their UK expertise to the table. weeks in advance. Together they devise a workforce P!NK, Elton John, A team from G4S in the UK came over that had template, which makes sure we have a team to Rod Stewart and Bob worked at large stadia throughout the UK and cover everything from pitch management and Dylan. knew how to deliver a truly professional service. crowd safety to VIP care, managing the media, and What we were looking for was a service provider looking after the teams. It’s a real multi-layered job that could help us deliver a world-class operation; on match day and G4S are responsible for making G4S met that remit.” THOMOND PARK A G4S CASE STUDY Securing Your World Event Security THOMOND PARK A G4S CASE STUDY “ Each event has its own unique requirements; different level of workforce and expertise. G4S consistently prove themselves up to the challenge.” sure everything goes to plan. Our reputation is built hours; whatever is required is delivered. They’ve “I believe the on a positive match day experience for everyone, been working with us for so long now that we G4S team could and G4S help us to achieve that,” says John. don’t need to instruct them anymore; they know what needs to be done.” bring their skills The G4S team don’t just display their versatility on to anywhere in match days, according to John. Events at Thomond G4S play a key role in health and safety the country now; vary greatly from sporting events to concerts and compliance corporate events. “Each event has its own unique Due to the large capacity at Thomond Park, the they are second requirements; different level of workforce and stadium is governed by strict health and safety to none in terms expertise. G4S consistently prove themselves up to regulations. From the beginning, this has been a of delivering an the challenge.” priority for the team at Thomond Park and for international G4S. They worked together developing an event G4S offer the personal touch management handbook that provides the detail standard.” for concerts necessary to safely operate all types of events. While Thomond Park is the home ground of “G4S were proactive in putting the manual Munster rugby, which has a busy schedule of together. From the outset they understood the matches throughout the year, the stadium has strict regulations we needed to operate under. also played host to a wide range of pop and rock They’re an integral part of what we do in this superstars including Bruce Springsteen, Elton John, regard and because they wrote the book with us Bob Dylan and Rod Stewart. For Thomond Park, their team are all up to speed on what’s required which is located in a close-knit residential area, of them, for every event,” says John. ensuring these concerts went off smoothly was a priority. “G4S understood our requirements and Stadium in safe hands with G4S delivered a personal touch that made sure the G4S also provide night security at Thomond Park concerts happened without any issues from local and they also secure the venue on weekends if residents. Their approach was excellent and our there are no events planned. “They’ve provided promoters, Aiken Promotions, have said that they this service very capably over the years. Suffice to are more than happy working hand in glove with say we haven’t had a broken window or graffiti G4S on all our concerts.” or any incident in the seven years they’ve been looking after the stadium, which is located right Expert training in the middle of Limerick. It’s a testament to the When Thomond Park opened its doors in 2008 it approach of their managers and guarding staff; they was unique in Ireland in delivering a professional look after Thomond as if it’s their own place,” says service at a stadium of its large size. In this John. environment G4S have shone, helping Thomond Park to become a globally-renowned stadium. Key “We don’t have the luxury to tolerate sub- to the success of G4S is its people, says John. standard performance. It’s a testament to G4S that “We could see how seriously they took the I’m speaking in these terms about them. We’ve contract from the beginning; their team had been more than happy with them; they have gone expertise working in large stadia. They trained the over and above our expectations,” concludes John. local G4S staff and stayed until they were happy that everyone had reached the necessary level. For further information about our Event Now, key staff that have been working with us Security services or any other G4S service since 2008 are still here and they train any new please contact us at: staff. I believe the G4S team could bring their skills Head Office to anywhere in the country now; they are second to none in terms of delivering an international 51 Bracken Road, standard.” Sandyford Industrial Estate, Dublin 18. After eight years of working together, John says the strength of the partnership between Thomond Park t 1890 447447 and G4S is excellent. “The G4S attitude is ‘nothing e [email protected] is too much’. No one on the team is counting the w www.g4s.ie www.g4s.ie Securing Your World.