News
MEDIA RELEASE
18 December 2009
Taupo scores a hat-trick as 2011 RWC host
The South African, Welsh, and Irish international rugby teams will all be calling Taupo home during parts of the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Councillor Mich’ael Downard was present at the RWC announcement function in Auckland, and immediately called Mayor Rick Cooper in Taupo to deliver the good news. “We got all three!” Cr Downard proclaimed proudly.
The Mayor along with Cr Doreen Blyth and other members of the ‘Taupo Rugby World Cup Committee’ and local press were waiting for the announcement in the Council offices, and had the champagne ready. “This is such fantastic news. We’ve got three of the world’s finest international rugby teams, including the world champs, staying with us! Let’s role out the red carpet and welcome these guys.”
“A big thanks to Cr Blyth and Downard for all their hard work to get these fabulous international teams here. The World Cup committee has done a wonderful job of really putting Taupo on the world stage,” Says Mayor Cooper.
Wales will be staying five nights from September 12 – 16, Ireland four nights from September 18 – 21, and South Africa a total of nine nights, September 18 – 20, and September 23 – 28. The teams will all be basing themselves at Owen Delany Park for pre-game training and conditioning.
“The King Country has a strong Rugby tradition and produced many fine All Blacks such as Colin Meads so it’s wonderful that we can take three great teams to a region where Rugby passions run deep,” said Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd (RNZ 2011) CEO Martin Snedden.
The South African, Welsh, and Irish rugby teams all visited the district earlier this year and were taken with both Taupo’s natural beauty, and the extent of activities on offer. Mayor Rick Cooper says that according to team management, half a dozen of the South African players have a golf handicap of less than five. “That was no doubt a point in our favour.”
Cr Downard was not surprised that Taupo was such a popular destination for rugby teams. “We really punch above our weight as a town. The three teams that visited Taupo were all really impressed with the level of our facilities for such a small population. We are very good at supporting local events and occasions, and I know we’ll all make them all feel very welcome.”
The Mayor highlights the significant economic implications of having an international rugby team based in a town. “Other cities got games, which is nice, but we’ve got three whole teams staying with us, who will bring coaches, managers, physios, doctors, partners and family with them. All of whom will of course spend money on food and lattes, go shopping, and partake in all the fun tourist activities our district offers. And then they’ll all go back home and tell everyone how wonderful Taupo is.”
He says planning to host the teams and their supporters will get underway in earnest next year to ensure we are fully prepared for the rugby invasion.
END
MEDIA RELEASE
December 18, 2009
Taupo to host three Rugby World Cup 2011 teams
The Taupo community will get a great chance to share in the excitement of Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) when it hosts South Africa, Ireland and Wales in September 2011.
Team Hosting arrangements for RWC 2011 were announced at a function in Auckland this morning.
“I am thrilled that Rugby fans in the King Country will get a chance to get behind this exciting Tournament and I know they will give the teams tremendous support,” said Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd (RNZ 2011) CEO Martin Snedden.
|
TEAM |
NO. OF NIGHTS |
DATES |
TRAINING VENUE |
|
Wales |
5 |
Sep 12 – 16 |
Owen Delany Park
|
|
Ireland |
4 |
Sep 18 – 21 |
|
|
South Africa |
9 |
Sep 18 – 20, Sep 23 – 28 |
“The King Country has a strong Rugby tradition and produced many fine All Blacks such as Colin Meads so it’s wonderful that we can take three great teams to a region where Rugby passions run deep.
“I am pleased we can also offer the teams world class training facilities at Owen Delany Park so I am sure Taupo will be a superb host centre. It is well used to catering for tourists from around the world and has great plans in place to ensure its community can celebrate this Rugby experience of a lifetime.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity for everyone. The teams will get a chance to enjoy the rich culture and scenery of Taupo and the community will be able to showcase its hospitality and attractions to the world.
“We have said all along that we wanted as many communities as reasonably possible to get a first hand taste of this exciting Tournament. Today’s announcement is a really important component in bringing to life New Zealand’s Stadium of Four Million.
“Today we are also announcing that teams will use a total of 47 training grounds across the country for the duration of RWC 2011. This mixture of Rugby club, school and public training facilities will help many communities get even closer to Rugby’s showpiece Tournament as well as giving teams an outstanding platform for their preparations.
“What is really fantastic is that teams and fans can experience our passion for the Game in Rugby’s grassroots where our traditions are strongest.
“For example, Tonga and Samoa will train at one of the oldest clubs in the country, the Ponsonby Rugby Club. Ponsonby boasts an honours board stacked with All Blacks such as Bryan Williams, Andy Haden, Joe Stanley and Carlos Spencer as well as first class facilities at its Western Springs ground.
“Teams will also train at several schools which have a proud tradition of Rugby such as Southland Boy’s High, Christ’s College, New Plymouth Boy’s High and Rotorua Boy’s High.
“I am confident that all of the hosting communities will take advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and give teams and fans a friendly welcome, great service and a Kiwi experience they will treasure forever,” concluded Martin Snedden.
Each of the host centres will also be integrated into the RWC 2011 Festival to be wrapped around the Tournament which aims to ensure people around the country have the opportunity to take part in the RWC 2011 experience.
Rugby World Cup Ltd Chairman Bernard Lapasset said the Team Hosting announcement was another important milestone towards making RWC 2011 an outstanding Tournament.
“I have no doubt RWC 2011 will be a great success because teams will receive wonderful support from the hosting communities which I know are passionate about Rugby.”
Ends