Press Release
24 July 2015
Excitement builds as Rugby World Cup trophy tours region
Rugby fanatics young and old will be turning out in their droves next month (August 2/3) to catch a glimpse of the rugby world cup trophy as it makes its way through the region on a national tour.
The William Webb Ellis trophy will be taken on a carefully choreographed tour of the region as part of the Festival of Rugby 2015 as the country gears up to host the Rugby World Cup later this year.
England rugby star Jason Leonard, who was a prop in the England World Cup winning side of 2003 and who is now President of the Rugby Football Union, and England international Ollie Phillips will accompany the trophy as it snakes its way through the region.
On Sunday, August 2, Durham County Rugby Football Union (RFU) will take charge of the cup from Northumberland at Gateshead International Stadium, as part of the Newcastle Gateshead 2015 British Transplant Games.
People are invited to get their picture taken with the cup at the transplant games, or the following day during a range of festivities around the Durham rugby area, which runs from south of the River Tyne to North of the River Tees.
The Durham County festival will finish in the evening with a celebration dinner at Barnard Castle School attended by former England internationals Rory Underwood and Rob Andrew.
Events open to the public on the tour include:
Gateshead International Stadium, Sunday, August 2, 5pm to 6pm
Palace Green, Durham Cathedral, Monday, August 3, 10am to 1pm
West Hartlepool RFC, Hartlepool, Monday, August 3, noon to 3pm
Robin Wannop, Chairman of the regional activities and legacy group for Durham County RFU, said a number of activities were taking place at each event and people would be able to see the cup, as well as watch young rugby teams play, learn about the sport and find out how they can get involved.
"This year is set to be momentous as England hosts the Rugby World Cup tournament and already people are getting very excited about watching the world's best rugby players in action," said Robin.
"The Festival of Rugby, when the cup itself is taken on a tour of the country, will bring both the youngest and oldest fans together as the excitement really begins to build for the games ahead - some of which are being held here in the North East.
"It's a wonderful game and our hope is that more and more young people play the game, more parents will volunteer and more businesses will lend their support."
During the festivities at West Hartlepool Rugby Club, its new £900,000 clubhouse will be officially opened by Jason Leonard.
Club secretary Graham Frankland said: "It was a very special moment when we were named as one of the very few clubs that would host the cup. To get this opportunity is amazing and to open the clubhouse while the trophy is here will be a fantastic occasion."
John Maughan, 82, and three-year-old Isaac Lathan, are the oldest and youngest members of Ryton Rugby Club in Gateshead.
John said: "We're really excited about having the world cup in England, and especially with games taking place in the North East. I'll be making the most of this once in a lifetime event and hope the rest of our region gets behind it too."
The trophy tour will visit the North East following a 12-month journey around the world as part of a celebration of rugby and marks the countdown to the Rugby World Cup 2015 Opening Ceremony at Twickenham Stadium on September 18.
For more information about how to get involved in rugby in the Durham County area, go towww.durhamrugby.com
Picture caption:
Spanning the generations:John Maughan, 82, and Isaac Lathan, three, the oldest and youngest members of Ryton Rugby Football Club in Gateshead, are gearing up for the excitement of the Rugby World Cup.
More information:
For more information about this press release, call:
Karen Westcott or Chris Sealey at DTW on 01287 610404 or 07545 210067 or 07786 512833.