Rugby World Cup 2011 Observer Programme Launched

Rugby World Cup 2011 organisers are inviting members of the global sports family to apply to participate in the tournament’s official Observer Programme.

The innovative programme, hosted by tournament owners Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL), organising body Rugby New Zealand (RNZ) 2011 Limited and the New Zealand Government, will be run over the semi-final weekend of October 15-17, 2011.

The programme is designed to provide a unique insight into the bidding, delivery, hosting and legacy of one of the world’s largest sports events. Participants will gain an invaluable insight into all the tournament’s functional areas from Rugby Services, Broadcast and Media Operations to Finance, Venues and City Operations.

Click here to view the RWC 2011 Observer Programme Brochure>>

IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “The RWC 2007 Observer Programme was a major highlight of the learning experience, bringing together members of the Rugby and wider sporting family to share experience, transfer knowledge, build relationships and get a better understanding of how one of the world’s premier sports events operates.”

“This year we are expanding the programme to involve all major stakeholders. We are delighted to be partnering with the New Zealand Government in the delivery of the programme to provide a fascinating insight into the role that Governments play in the delivery of major events including Regional showcasing, festival development, economic impact, financial support and engaging a nation.”

RNZ 2011 General Manager Tournament Services, Nigel Cass said: “I can’t speak highly enough of how the RWC 2007 Observer Programme allowed us to learn first hand about some of the key issues we would be grappling with. What it allowed us to do was see behind the scenes as the final stages of the Tournament actually happened and hear valuable insights from the French Organising Committee as they planned and delivered the event.”

An integral element of the Rugby World Cup knowledge transfer process, the RWC 2011 Observer Programme also provides the opportunity for future Host Unions to live, learn and experience Rugby World Cup operations. Key participants will be representatives from England Rugby 2015 and the Japan Rugby Football Union, the hosts of RWC 2015 and RWC 2019 respectively.

Lapasset added: “For future Hosts, attending Rugby World Cup 2011 represents a valuable opportunity to learn and experience the event live. During the Observer Programme each future Host can not only witness how things are done, but also study specific areas, so that they can learn and improve upon these within their own organisational and cultural context.”

For the latest on RWC 2011, visit www.rugbyworldcup.com.

Notes to Editors

Rugby World Cup has provided the financial platform for investment and growth in the Game. The net RWC 2007 surplus of £122.4 million has underwritten a range of major funding initiatives including annual national Union grants and Strategic Investments via the £48 million programme between 2009-2012 focusing on increasing competition across the global Game. The total invested by the IRB during the period will be £150 million.

Rugby World Cup 2011 in Zealand will be attended by over 1.6 million spectators and watched by a global TV audience of well over 4 billion in more than 200 countries.

Further Information:

Dominic Rumbles, IRB Head of Communications, +353 868 520 826, email dominic.rumbles@irb.com