EVERY child in South Cumbria will receive a free Barrow Raiders season ticket, the club has confirmed.

In total, 17,000 season tickets have been distributed across the region as the League 1 side looks to promote rugby league.

Chairman Steve Neale has also announced that fans who turn up at Craven Park before 1pm ahead of Sunday’s clash with North Wales Crusaders will be provided with a free ticket.

He said: ““Barrow Raiders are determined to grow their crowds which has resulted in this fabulous offer.

“Additionally, we’ve distributed roughly 17,000 season tickets to every child in south Cumbria through our foundation team and their fantastic work.

“We will be allowing free entry to the North Wales game up to 1:00pm. All you need to do is turn up and provide track and trace information.

“The free entry tickets will be limited so that we conform with our COVID capacity.

“We want kids playing rugby league, they are our fans of tomorrow. I want this ground bouncing with a great atmosphere on Sunday. I remember as a kid Barrow got 5,000 in attendance and that atmosphere is almost addictive.

“This is a Barrow super Sunday and we want a whole new audience to our games. If you simply want a few drinks and view the game from the marquee then that is great.

“It’s a close ground and a good place to be. We want to create this buzz, this atmosphere and we are wanting these people to return in the future.”

Fans who have already bought their ticket to this weekend’s League 1 game will receive their money back as tokens to spend inside the ground as long as they enter before 1pm.

The club’s generosity has even extended to its sponsors too.

Neale explained: “We want to help our sponsors and their businesses too. We are in partnership with a local gymnasium and as part of that they are offering discounts to season ticket holders, while new customers to their gym will get a free match day ticket.

“Another one is through a garage offering free match day tickets and similarly Holiday Inn in town, visitors will get a free match ticket.

“There is also a carpet company and anyone who buys a new carpet gets a free ticket. It’s all a part of the sponsorship packages which allows us to get free tickets out in the community.

“We have done deals with about eight sponsors but want to extend that to all of our sponsors so they can attract new business and for us to attract new fans.”

Barrow’s game against Crusaders kicks off at 3pm.