England Rugby 2015 Marks Two Years To Go
With two years to go until the start of Rugby World Cup 2015, tournament organisers England Rugby 2015 Limited and owners Rugby World Cup Limited have revealed they are well on track to deliver the game’s showpiece event.
Speaking at one of the RFU’s legacy projects, CEO Debbie Jevans outlined the progress made to date and the 24 months that lie ahead before the tournament begins in September 2015.
With the Organising Committee now 50 strong, increasing to 70 staff by the end of the year, the key priorities including building the team, selecting the match venues, finalising the schedule, setting the tournament vision and developing the detailed delivery plans and timelines have all been completed.
The tournament volunteer programme will be launched in early 2014, with 6,000 volunteers required.
England Rugby 2015 will also recruit 75% of volunteers from the existing rugby club volunteer network, recognising those who help to deliver the game week in week out in their local community.
Over 80 bids were received from more than 30 English counties and Wales to become RWC 2015 Team Bases, and will be selected and announced by the middle of next year.
Next year England Rugby 2015 will also announce details of two Webb Ellis Cup tours; international and domestic, taking the Cup to most qualifying nations and then all around the UK and Ireland.
On the two years to go milestone, England Rugby 2015 CEO Debbie Jevans, said: ‘In the last 12 months we have achieved a great deal and laid the foundations – two years out we are on track and in good shape.’
‘We are now focused on finalising the kick off times and the ticketing strategy by the end of the year. We continue to work with the IRB and all our key stakeholders and our aim is for tickets to be as affordable and accessible as possible.’
‘As we move into 2014 we begin to fully engage and mobilise our plans with the launch of the volunteer programme, international Webb Ellis Cup tour and tickets going on sale.’
Jevans will join a host of senior figures leading on a number of major international sporting events coming to Britain over the next few years at the Nolan Partners Sport Industry Breakfast Club in November. This follows next Thursday’s event with Liverpool FC MD Ian Ayre and Minnesota Vikings owner Mark Wilf, hosted by Mark Pougatch. See them both for just £175.
Meanwhile, on the RFU’s ‘Posts in the Park’ legacy programme, launched with two years to go until RWC 2015, Jevans added: ‘Our role as the Organising Committee is to host and stage a tournament that not only delivers the best possible experience for the spectators and the players but also helps grow the game so we are delighted to support the RFU’s Posts in the Park programme. The tournament provides a unique opportunity for rugby in this country.’
Looking ahead to the tournament, Minister for Sport and Tourism, Hugh Robertson, said: ‘Rugby World Cup 2015 will be a fantastic tournament, bringing new fans and players to the game both domestically and internationally. With two years to go until it kicks off strong plans are in place to ensure both the players and spectators are well looked after and a legacy for the sport is delivered.’
