WHITEHAVEN have switched their home games to 6.30pm on a Saturday night in a bid to boost dwindling attendances.

Copeland’s premier rugby league club announced the move last Friday, and general manager Amanda Hewer said playing under the floodlights will hopefully increase the Recre atmosphere.

She said: “It’s always exciting playing under the floodlights. We trialed a 6.30pm kick off during the Super 8s, and it brought an increase in our profits.

“It’s a move we have put a lot of thought into, and we’re excited about making the switch permanent.

“The Super 8s did not give us enough of a trial so we’ve agreed with the Rugby Football League to extend that into the 2016 season.

“We want to be ingrained in our local community. We’d like people to come down, watch a match and support us, and then go into town.”

Hewer added that another reason was to allow the club’s players to enjoy more time with their families.

“It’s vital our players enjoy a healthy work and private life,” she said.

“This was another reason we decided to move the kick-off time.

“The lads work hard, and give everything to Whitehaven RL, so this will allow them to have Sundays off with their families .”