21 replies to this topic

[Honor James]

Rugby League World Cup 2013 completed one of the more challenging legs of the current trophy tour today, Wednesday October 31st2012. The famous trophy first visited the Prime Minister, David Cameron at 10 Downing Street and was then
taken straight to the First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones in Cardiff.

Steve McNamara and Iestyn Harris, the coaches of the two RLWC2013 host nations accompanied the trophy to Downing Street and spoke to Mr Cameron about their ambitions for the tournament. They were joined by Welsh players Ben Flowers and Lloyd White and by England's Eorl Crabtree and Dan Sarginson of England Knights.

The Prime Minister also heard about the growth of Rugby League in the capital from young Brixton Bulls players.

After the visit to Downing Street the trophy was packed safely away for rapid transit to the Senedd, the home of the Welsh Assembly.

RLWC2013 Tournament General Manager Sally Bolton said: "Tickets for the tournament went on sale last Friday and there has been a fantastic response so far, we have already sold 50,000 tickets and we need to keep that momentum
going. Our trophy really brings the tournament alive for people and creates massive interest wherever it is so this tour is really important for us.

"It's great that the government and the Welsh Assembly have recognised and given endorsement to the fact that RLWC2013 is the next international sporting event in the UK after the Olympics, so today's dual visit was really important.

"The semi-final double header at Wembley Stadium in London and the opening celebration and games at The Millennium Stadium in Cardiff are two of our biggest events so it is important to maintain levels of interest in both cities.
Both are selling really well but the Rugby League World Cup final at Old Trafford is still outselling all other games by five to one, so my message to fans is if you want to be at the final, get your tickets now."

-ends-

Martin Johnston
RLWC2013 Communications Manager

[John Rhino]

Wonder if he's ever seen a game?

[flyingking]

Wonder if he's ever seen a game?

Eton Wall Game will probably be the closest.

[Jonty]

Wonder if he's ever seen a game?

He wouldn't have to go far. There's a school in his rural Oxfordshire constituency that plays the game and has raised a few eyebrows locally. He's also got Championship One rugby on his doorstep next year. Maybe he could get his old Bullingdon Club pals together for a trip to Iffley Road next season. They could always smash up the Cape of Good Hope and moon at passing cars on Magdalen Bridge afterwards. Just like old times.

Edited by Jonty, 01 November 2012 - 10:57 PM.

[flyingking]

Apparently Mr Cameron was a hooker, but he has just been tackled by big Eorl.
http://www.telegraph...rugby-days.html

Edited by flyingking, 02 November 2012 - 02:17 AM.

[Mister C]

Apparently Mr Cameron was a hooker, but he has just been tackled by big Eorl.
http://www.telegraph...rugby-days.html

Interestingly this article doesn't make it on to the Sport page!

[Dave T]

I know they are using a couple of agencies to help promote and sell the RLWC, but things do just appear to be a step up from previous RL campaigns. Things like this appear very well thought out, and get a fair bit of profile.

I really hope the time and effort is rewarded with high ticket sales.

[South Wakefield Sharks]

This is really good work by the World Cup team. To get an article like that in the Telegraph gets the message of the World Cup out to a new audience. Not in the sports pages, and to your average league audience.

[Dave T]

I don't think the importance of this World Cup can be over-stated.

This is a brilliant opportunity to attract a new set of fans. As a sport we have a decent nucleus of hardcore fans who will buy season tickets, attend the weekly rounds and attend the two big finals.
What we don't have is an 'event' crowd. Rugby Union and other sports absolutely have this, and as is shown by the huge sections of empty seats in the Club Wembley sections on Cup Final day, we just don't attract general sporting fans at the level that other sports do.
If the organisers can fill the Millenium Stadium, Wembley and Old Trafford, then this will be a massive success, irrespective of what happens at the other grounds, and to do that they will need to tap into the wider sporting public.
The RFL have traditionally targeted existing customers for our events (mainly I suspect because this is a hell of a lot more cost-efficient), whereas there does appear to be a real shift and effort to attract new fans, which could be a massive boost to the game longer term.

[1976PMJwires]

Talksport have an advert - 50% of Tickets less than £20 - Buy your tickets for Next Rugbly League World Cup

After hearing all the ###### about Football (recent issues) Its great to hear "OUR" sport being advertised on the Radio.

[South Wakefield Sharks]

I don't think the importance of this World Cup can be over-stated.

This is a brilliant opportunity to attract a new set of fans. As a sport we have a decent nucleus of hardcore fans who will buy season tickets, attend the weekly rounds and attend the two big finals.
What we don't have is an 'event' crowd. Rugby Union and other sports absolutely have this, and as is shown by the huge sections of empty seats in the Club Wembley sections on Cup Final day, we just don't attract general sporting fans at the level that other sports do.
If the organisers can fill the Millenium Stadium, Wembley and Old Trafford, then this will be a massive success, irrespective of what happens at the other grounds, and to do that they will need to tap into the wider sporting public.
The RFL have traditionally targeted existing customers for our events (mainly I suspect because this is a hell of a lot more cost-efficient), whereas there does appear to be a real shift and effort to attract new fans, which could be a massive boost to the game longer term.

Spot on.

It's clear from the ticketing plan that many lessons from the past have been built. Tickets affordable and being sold in sections in grounds to create an atmosphere. If we're going to get 10k in a 20k stadium, sit them together and the atmosphere will be much better than having everyone spread out.

The World Cup will also have a massive impact on players. Who wouldn't want to be part of it? Which should mean we should be in for some great rugby during the domestic season as everyone tries to look their best for the selectors.

[fieldofclothofgold]

Its the RLWC thats important if this meeting with the PM promotes the comp positively so much the better

[longboard]

He wouldn't have to go far. There's a school in his rural Oxfordshire constituency that plays the game and has raised a few eyebrows locally. He's also got Championship One rugby on his doorstep next year. Maybe he could get his old Bullingdon Club pals together for a trip to Iffley Road next season. They could always smash up the Cape of Good Hope and moon at passing cars on Magdalen Bridge afterwards. Just like old times.

Darrell and Josh Griffin were brought up in his constituency - Witney. I remember an article about him sending congratulations to Darrell Griffin when he was selected for England. Twas probably in the Hudds Examiner.....

[Dean]

Almost a full page in the Evening Standard on this yesterday. If nothing else this has helped me to convince my wife that RLWC will be a huge event and we need to buy tickets now!

[cardifcrusaderrob]

I don't know about Cameron but I know Carwyn Jones is definitely a fan of the game having had a season ticket to the Celtic Crusaders before they left Bridgend, and he played RU for his school Brynteg which you might know from the Champion Schools that have done well recently.

[keighley]

I don't know about Cameron but I know Carwyn Jones is definitely a fan of the game having had a season ticket to the Celtic Crusaders before they left Bridgend, and he played RU for his school Brynteg which you might know from the Champion Schools that have done well recently.

They should ask him to open the tournament at the Millenium game. After all, it is in Wales.

[Jim from Oz]

Almost a full page in the Evening Standard on this yesterday. If nothing else this has helped me to convince my wife that RLWC will be a huge event and we need to buy tickets now!

Ads a year before the event? Fantastic stuff; hopefully ticket sales will start to kick on from now.

I wonder how many they've sold?

I wonder too what is the TOTAL number of tickets available for RLWC ?

[MidlandsRugbyLeague]

Ads a year before the event? Fantastic stuff; hopefully ticket sales will start to kick on from now.

I wonder how many they've sold?

I wonder too what is the TOTAL number of tickets available for RLWC ?

There are 500,000 to sell :-)

[Dave T]

There are 500,000 to sell :-)

I think the target is 500k, but I believe the capacities are higher than this. Sure somebody could wizz through the list and work it out!

[AuroraXIII]

A newsletter I got at lunchtime said 50,000 had been sold already which is fantastic news.

Darren Lockyer is over from Australia on a ten day tour of England and Wales to promote the tournament. All this and tickets are now on sale with over 50,000 gone by the end of the first day of general sales.