England RFU - unveil their bid for the RWC 2015
By RFU Press Release
May 13 2009
The Rugby Football Union today unveiled its bid to host the Rugby World Cup in England in 2015.
The Rugby Football Union today unveiled its bid to host the Rugby World Cup in England in 2015.
In a presentation to the International Rugby Board (IRB) Council in Dublin today, England's bid team outlined proposals to bring the RWC back to England for the first time in 24 years, a move it believes will leave a lasting legacy for the global game.
Pool stages would be held in nine cities across England, with the latter stages scheduled to take place in some of the most world's most iconic sporting stadiums, including Wembley Stadium, Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, the Emirates Stadium, Old Trafford and Anfield, with the final taking place at Twickenham Stadium.
RFU Chief Executive Francis Baron during a press conference at Twickenham, London. All Pictures by Empics
RFU Chief Executive Francis Baron believes that given the global economic climate, hosting the tournament in England would support the growth of the global game and provide a lasting legacy for the future of world rugby.
"In 2015 it will be 24 years since England last hosted a Rugby World Cup and we believe the time is right," said Baron. "The RFU is 100% committed to delivering an outstanding RWC 2015. These are turbulent and difficult times but we believe the bid we have put together represents a low risk but high potential return.
"The combined capacity of our chosen stadia is in the region of 700,000 seats. Our target is to sell 3 million seats, that's a 30 per cent increase on France 2007."
"The combined capacity of our chosen stadia is in the region of 700,000 seats. Our target is to sell 3 million seats, that's a 30 per cent increase on France 2007."
The bid has the full support of Her Majesty's Government, as the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Andy Burnham demonstrated in Dublin today when he said, "From the Prime Minister down, the RFU's bid has the Government's total backing. These are exciting times for sport in our country. Next month, the cricket Twenty20 World Cup marks the start of what we hope will be the most memorable and successful decade in our sporting history.
"A Rugby World Cup on home soil in 2015 will be a central part of that vision for a decade of sport. It would take the game to new audiences and inspire a new generation to take up rugby.
"To help the RFU make this bid we have agreed a package of measures which includes a partial underwriting of the RFU's financial guarantee and a guarantee for the security of the tournament outside the stadia involved."
"A Rugby World Cup on home soil in 2015 will be a central part of that vision for a decade of sport. It would take the game to new audiences and inspire a new generation to take up rugby.
"To help the RFU make this bid we have agreed a package of measures which includes a partial underwriting of the RFU's financial guarantee and a guarantee for the security of the tournament outside the stadia involved."
With the business case laid out, Baron went on to assure the Council that England 2015 would not only deliver financially.
"At the heart of our bid are passion, love and commitment to the game and its ideals. Our desire is to broaden rugby's horizons by reaching out and embracing new audiences. The tournament would serve as a catalyst to drive participation, awareness and opportunities supporting the development of the game nationally, in Europe and across the globe.
"The RFU is committed to investing 100% of its surplus from the tournament back into the grassroots game, both here in England and through our continued investment in our development agreements with North America and support for the Pacific Island nations."
"The RFU is committed to investing 100% of its surplus from the tournament back into the grassroots game, both here in England and through our continued investment in our development agreements with North America and support for the Pacific Island nations."
England 2015 would also be very much a tournament for the players. "This tournament would exceed the players' wildest dreams," said Lawrence Dallaglio. "It would be about playing in truly iconic stadia, to full crowds of passionate supporters, drawn from the multi-cultural melting pot of England, one of the most culturally diverse countries in the world.
"It would be about creating a unique festival of rugby for all. By drawing on our rich heritage and culture, we would make sure that every team has a fan base before they even arrive.
"Finally, it would be about quality accommodation, unrivalled training facilities and state of the art medical facilities. It would be every athlete's dream."
"Finally, it would be about quality accommodation, unrivalled training facilities and state of the art medical facilities. It would be every athlete's dream."
RFU Director of Business Operations Paul Vaughan added, "With a proven track record of organising and delivering major sporting events, hosting the tournament in England would, we believe, deliver the best possible return to support the IRB in the development of the game worldwide.
"We will use some of the largest and iconic stadia in the world, venues like Twickenham Stadium (82,000), Wembley (90,000), Old Trafford (76,000), the Millennium Stadium (74,000) and the Emirates (61,000). Each of these venues is already equipped with the highest quality facilities, served by a comprehensive travel infrastructure and experienced in hosting world class sporting events. The result is a low risk, high reward strategy, capable of providing the ultimate experience for spectators, participants and partners alike.
"With an advanced broadcasting environment, we believe that hosting the tournament in England would attract more global brands to sponsor the event by providing the optimal environment for them to activate their rights."
"We will use some of the largest and iconic stadia in the world, venues like Twickenham Stadium (82,000), Wembley (90,000), Old Trafford (76,000), the Millennium Stadium (74,000) and the Emirates (61,000). Each of these venues is already equipped with the highest quality facilities, served by a comprehensive travel infrastructure and experienced in hosting world class sporting events. The result is a low risk, high reward strategy, capable of providing the ultimate experience for spectators, participants and partners alike.
"With an advanced broadcasting environment, we believe that hosting the tournament in England would attract more global brands to sponsor the event by providing the optimal environment for them to activate their rights."
Will Greenwood, Heroes XV - Help for Heroes - Challenge Match - Heroes XV v International Select XV -Twickenham
Rounding off the RFU's presentation, Will Greenwood returned to the legacy of the bid and its impact on grassroots rugby.
"I am a grassroots man through and through and I have seen the power of rugby and its ability to change lives on an individual level and on a community basis. We hope our bid will allow more youngsters to experience this incredible power as a positive experience in their lives," said Greenwood.
"Rugby is the fastest growing major sport in England. Participation is up 40% since 2003 and we want to target a further 40% rise in the next eight years. The health of the nation is at the forefront of our bid. Over half the UK's 11 to 14-year-olds now watch or play rugby at least once a month, keeping kids active and healthy.
"Our bid contains the outline of a schools and youth club programme aimed at translating the unprecedented interest into long term participation to broaden the base of the game at all levels by working in conjunction with charities like the NSPCC, the police, Sport England and other governing bodies, both here and around the world.
"Once in a lifetime we have the chance to deliver a lasting legacy, to reach out to new players and fans and recruit a new generation to our wonderful game. Our legacy will not just be to grow the playing, coaching and support base for rugby but also to spread the values and beliefs of our very special game: teamwork, respect, discipline, friendship and the celebration of difference. What a legacy that would be."
"Our bid contains the outline of a schools and youth club programme aimed at translating the unprecedented interest into long term participation to broaden the base of the game at all levels by working in conjunction with charities like the NSPCC, the police, Sport England and other governing bodies, both here and around the world.
"Once in a lifetime we have the chance to deliver a lasting legacy, to reach out to new players and fans and recruit a new generation to our wonderful game. Our legacy will not just be to grow the playing, coaching and support base for rugby but also to spread the values and beliefs of our very special game: teamwork, respect, discipline, friendship and the celebration of difference. What a legacy that would be."
A decision on the host Unions for the 2015 and 2019 Rugby World Cups will be made during a Special Meeting of the IRB Council on July 28 in Dublin.
England RFU - unveil their bid for the RWC 2015
Posted by: Unofficial England Rugby Union (IP Logged)
Date: 13/05/2009 10:10
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Re: England RFU - unveil their bid for the RWC 2015
Posted by: PoyntonShark (IP Logged)
Date: 14/05/2009 06:15
Fine words, and I have no reason to disbelieve them. I am sure that England could host a great tournament. However, my preference was for the 2011 tournament to go to one of the 'lesser' (for want of a better word) nations, and I still believe that the global appeal of the game would be better served if the tournament moved away from the traditional locations. The moronic attitude of the IRB to cash guarantees has seen most options shy away, but with Japan and Italy still there I would like to see one of them get it. Still not sure whether would be better to award 2015 and 2019 to Japan and Italy (They and South Africa are the only other bidders) or whether England or SA should get one of them. England have only bid for 2015, the other 3 have all bid for either.
Unhappiness, where's when I was young
And we didn't give a damn
'Cause we were raised
To see life as a fun and take it if we can
Unhappiness, where's when I was young
And we didn't give a damn
'Cause we were raised
To see life as a fun and take it if we can
Re: England RFU - unveil their bid for the RWC 2015
Posted by: Rarua (IP Logged)
Date: 25/05/2009 02:34
I don't expect anyone here to make the case for Japan to be hosts with such vehemence as was done for the 2011 competition.
Re: England RFU - unveil their bid for the RWC 2015
Posted by: BH90 (IP Logged)
Date: 25/05/2009 09:18
One-eyed said:
"I don't expect anyone here to make the case for Japan to be hosts with such vehemence as was done for the 2011 competition."
That's because England has the stadia and infrastructure to put on a superb World Cup. NZ doesn't, as was made painfully obvious by the 2005 Lions tour. Are they busy erecting tents for the numbers expected in 2011? How many 80,000+ stadia are there in The Land of the One-Eyed Crowd?
"I don't expect anyone here to make the case for Japan to be hosts with such vehemence as was done for the 2011 competition."
That's because England has the stadia and infrastructure to put on a superb World Cup. NZ doesn't, as was made painfully obvious by the 2005 Lions tour. Are they busy erecting tents for the numbers expected in 2011? How many 80,000+ stadia are there in The Land of the One-Eyed Crowd?
Re: England RFU - unveil their bid for the RWC 2015
Posted by: whingebasher (IP Logged)
Date: 26/05/2009 20:40
All this touchy feely stuff is all very well.
How about we start learning how to win rugby games instead of telling everyone how wonderfgul we are?
How about we start learning how to win rugby games instead of telling everyone how wonderfgul we are?
Re: England RFU - unveil their bid for the RWC 2015
Posted by: BH90 (IP Logged)
Date: 27/05/2009 14:55
A magnificent case of diverting a thread, to give you the chance to whinge about the current strength of the England team.
This thread is not about who's going to win the 2015 RWC, it's about who's going to stage it. The relative onfield strength of any potential host nation should not influence the decision of the organisers. Japan had no chance of winning in 2011, but they would still have staged a great tournament - just as was the case with the football equivalent.
If you are absolutely determined to link the location to England's chances of winning, you may wish to reflect on the indisputable fact that staging the tournament here should greatly improve those chances. If you want people to know how good your facilities, they have to be told or shown. Hiding lights under bushels is not the way to go about it.
Or would you rather that we forget about hosting it? Italy would be my second choice for 2015. Try to find something whingeworthy in that.
This thread is not about who's going to win the 2015 RWC, it's about who's going to stage it. The relative onfield strength of any potential host nation should not influence the decision of the organisers. Japan had no chance of winning in 2011, but they would still have staged a great tournament - just as was the case with the football equivalent.
If you are absolutely determined to link the location to England's chances of winning, you may wish to reflect on the indisputable fact that staging the tournament here should greatly improve those chances. If you want people to know how good your facilities, they have to be told or shown. Hiding lights under bushels is not the way to go about it.
Or would you rather that we forget about hosting it? Italy would be my second choice for 2015. Try to find something whingeworthy in that.
Re: England RFU - unveil their bid for the RWC 2015
Posted by: whingebasher (IP Logged)
Date: 27/05/2009 19:11
Italy would win it.
RFU response to RWC recommendation
Posted by: World Rugby (IP Logged)
Date: 01/07/2009 08:21
Tuesday June 30, 2009
Issued by Peter Thomas
"The RFU is delighted that Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) has decided to recommend England to the IRB Council as the host for RWC 2015. Hosting the tournament would be the next step in the Government's Decade of World Sport and will follow closely on the 2012 Olympics and leads into our bid for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. We are mindful though that the RWCL recommendation is just the first step and that the final decision rests with the Council on 28th July," said Martyn Thomas, Chairman of the Rugby Football Union.
"When we presented to the Council in May we said that in the current difficult economic environment we could deliver a Low Risk, High Return tournament that would leave a lasting legacy for the global game. We would like to reiterate that commitment and promise that we will pack iconic stadia full of excited fans and that we will give the game the best possible global platform on which to showcase itself to the world. We are truly excited about the opportunity to host the third largest sporting tournament in the world and fervently hope that the recommendation is accepted in July," Thomas concluded.
Issued by Peter Thomas
"The RFU is delighted that Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) has decided to recommend England to the IRB Council as the host for RWC 2015. Hosting the tournament would be the next step in the Government's Decade of World Sport and will follow closely on the 2012 Olympics and leads into our bid for the 2018 FIFA World Cup. We are mindful though that the RWCL recommendation is just the first step and that the final decision rests with the Council on 28th July," said Martyn Thomas, Chairman of the Rugby Football Union.
"When we presented to the Council in May we said that in the current difficult economic environment we could deliver a Low Risk, High Return tournament that would leave a lasting legacy for the global game. We would like to reiterate that commitment and promise that we will pack iconic stadia full of excited fans and that we will give the game the best possible global platform on which to showcase itself to the world. We are truly excited about the opportunity to host the third largest sporting tournament in the world and fervently hope that the recommendation is accepted in July," Thomas concluded.
Re: England RFU - unveil their bid for the RWC 2015
Posted by: westand (IP Logged)
Date: 01/07/2009 09:48
The recommendation----RWCL recommends
Re: England RFU - unveil their bid for the RWC 2015
Posted by: westand (IP Logged)
Date: 03/07/2009 22:22
Now this----
-------Story----
Quote:Telegraph
Government cash guarantee for England Rugby World Cup bid
-------Story----
Re: England RFU - unveil their bid for the RWC 2015
Posted by: Rarua (IP Logged)
Date: 04/07/2009 22:12
The British unions fought like Kilkenny cats to try to stop there being any such thing as a rugby world cup. It was down to NZ and Australia that it ever started.
Now England, who were far and away the most adamant refuseniks are hellbent on hosting it again.
And probably again,
and again,
and again
and gain, gain, gain.
Now England, who were far and away the most adamant refuseniks are hellbent on hosting it again.
And probably again,
and again,
and again
and gain, gain, gain.
Re: England RFU - unveil their bid for the RWC 2015
Posted by: PoyntonShark (IP Logged)
Date: 06/07/2009 06:00
If your point is that the RFU are slow to recognise good ideas, but quick to profit when they change their mind, then you are mostly preaching to the converted.
Unhappiness, where's when I was young
And we didn't give a damn
'Cause we were raised
To see life as a fun and take it if we can
Unhappiness, where's when I was young
And we didn't give a damn
'Cause we were raised
To see life as a fun and take it if we can
Re: England RFU - unveil their bid for the RWC 2015
Posted by: Rarua (IP Logged)
Date: 06/07/2009 07:44
The RFU has all the agility of a glacier.
Re: England RFU - unveil their bid for the RWC 2015
Posted by: whingebasher (IP Logged)
Date: 06/07/2009 10:48
Yes