IRB/Emirates Airline Rugby Photograph of the Year Competition 2009 Shortlist Announced
The International Rugby Board has revealed the six photographs shortlisted for the IRB/Emirates Airline Rugby Photograph of the Year 2009.
The shortlist depicts a range of Rugby scenes throughout the year, including Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai in March and a group of friends on a Fijian island. All six images have the Spirit of Rugby at their core, depicting camaraderie, team work, fellowship, enjoyment and respect.
They were chosen from over 500 entries submitted from 28 countries, a record number for the competition now in its fourth year.
You can view the six images shortlisted for the IRB/Emirates Airline Rugby Photograph of the Year by clicking on the links below.
Image One – ‘Rich Kid’ by Jeremy Duxbury
Taken at the re-opening of the rugby field at Navuso Methodist High School in Fiji as one boy wearing boots breaks free in muddy conditions.
Image Two – ‘Friendship Over Rivalry’ by Warren Little
Taken at the Emirates Airline Dubai Sevens at The Sevens on November 28, 2008, the photo shows New Zealand's Tomasi Cama helping up Richard Kingi of Australia.
Image Three – 'Flying Samoan' by Henry Browne
Taken at the Guinness Premiership match between London Irish and Leicester Tigers on March 1, 2009. The picture captures the moment Seilala Mapusua dived through the posts for a try.
Image Four – 'Winners Circle' by Clive Rose
Taken at Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai on March 7, shortly after Wales won the men's title.
Image Five – 'The Flying Hair Bear' by Christiaan Kotze
Taken during the British & Irish Lions Tour to South Africa, the image captures prop Adam Jones passing the ball in the second Test.
Image Six – 'Aussie! Aussie! Aussie!' by Warren Little
Taken at Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 at The Sevens in Dubai, on March 7, 2009. The Australia women’s team are applauded off the field by their country's men's team following their victory over New Zealand in the inaugural women's final.
The shortlist was selected by a panel of judges which included Paul Morgan (Editor, Rugby World), renowned sports photographers Dave Rogers (Getty Images) and Patrick Eagar, Barry Newcombe (Sports Journalists’ Association) and Joelle Watkins (Corporate Communications Manager, Emirates Airline).
“The quality of the photographs this year was exceptional and we had some passionate debate to reach our final six from the 500 entries we received,” said panel Chairman Paul Morgan.
“It was a fascinating and difficult process with the whole Rugby year laid before us including pictures from the Six Nations, the British & Irish Lions Tour to South Africa, the Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai and elite domestic competitions to photographs of local club teams, or groups of friends and young children playing Rugby across the world.”
The winner will be announced in the week commencing November 2 and the winning entry together with the five runners-up will be published in the IRB World Rugby Yearbook 2010, published by VSP. Advance orders of the Yearbook can be made via the Publishers’ website www.visionsp.co.uk, including a special early bird rate for media by quoting ‘IRB earlybird’ as the promotion code before November 2.
Further Information:
Andrea Wiggins, IRB Communications Manager, +353 (0)86-040-3950, email: andrea.wiggins@irb.com