Rugby World Cup 2015 Team Base Hosting Interest

Dublin – Ireland, July 17, 2013: Rugby World Cup Limited has welcomed the strong level of interest and enthusiasm shown in response to England Rugby 2015’s nationwide team base search and selection programme for Rugby World Cup 2015, reflecting the enormous prestige and value of hosting Rugby’s showcase event.

England Rugby 2015 today announced applications have been received from over 80 facilities in more than 30 counties in England and Wales since the process was launched in April as Rugby World Cup 2015 continues to deliver on its mission to engage and excite the length and breadth of the nation.

• Over 80 applications from facilities in more than 30 English counties and Wales

• Mix of Rugby clubs, schools, colleges, universities, local authorities and established training complexes have bid to host the 20 competing teams

• Up to 50 Team Bases required across England and Wales for RWC 2015

• Team Bases will bring the Tournament to life with high level engagement across the country

• Site visits underway with Team Bases confirmed in 2014

Team bases will play a key role within Rugby World Cup 2015; hosting the 20 competing teams and taking the tournament to local communities across the country.

A team base will consist of five component parts including; an outdoor and indoor training facility, hotel, swimming pool and gym. England Rugby 2015 will identify up to 50 team bases across the country, providing the 20 competing teams with a variety of team base locations.

With over 80 applications received from a wide range of rugby clubs, schools, colleges, universities, local authorities and established training complexes, England Rugby 2015 is now evaluating all applications and conducting detailed site visits. With clear team base criteria, and an ambition to identify the highest quality facilities to ensure optimum Tournament training locations, England Rugby 2015 is determined to set new standards for Team Bases.

Team base locations will range from; close proximity to a particular match venue, centrally located between match venues, or outside of a Host City to provide a different training environment away from the hub of Tournament activity. With applications received from facilities in more than 30 English counties and within Wales, there is a fantastic opportunity to bring Rugby World Cup to all corners of the country and make this a truly regional event.

Debbie Jevans, England Rugby 2015 CEO, commented: “Team bases will play a pivotal role in the Tournament and we are delighted to see such a strong response rate to the search and selection programme. We want to identify high quality facilities across the country to ensure the teams have the best possible platform to compete at Rugby World Cup 2015. As an organising committee we are fully committed to meeting the needs of all competing players, ensuring that we deliver to the best possible standards.”

“With applications received from schools, universities, colleges, Rugby clubs and local authorities from over 30 English counties and within Wales, we can already see the fantastic regional engagement opportunities Team Bases will provide – we want to take the teams, the Tournament and the Game of Rugby as far and wide as possible in 2015 so we are really encouraged by the response.”

Bernard Lapasset, Rugby World Cup Limited Chairman, added: “The strong interest from parties interested in becoming a Rugby World Cup 2015 team base reflects the enormous prestige of the Rugby World Cup brand and an event that is set to capture the hearts and minds of people the length and breadth of the nation and beyond.”

“While the match venues are the stages on which the 20 participating nations will showcase the sport and character-building values, the team bases will deliver the important platform to ensure all our players are ready to perform to their full potential. I am delighted that this submission reflects the superb sporting facilities in England and Wales, but also the depth and warmth of the welcome that the teams will receive.”

Note: Team base locations will be announced next year following consultation with all qualified competing teams.

Applications received from the following English Counties: Avon, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire, Cheshire, Cornwall, Devon, Durham, Essex, Gloucestershire, Hampshire, Hertfordshire, Kent, Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, London, Greater Manchester, Middlesex, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Staffordshire, Surrey, Sussex, Tyne and Wear, Warwickshire, West Midlands, West Sussex, Wiltshire, Yorkshire and within Wales.