The Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour finishes the year in Shanghai
After seven months of taking the Webb Ellis Cup around the globe, the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour has finished the year in Shanghai.
The Trophy Tour is visiting 15 countries over 12 months as part of a celebration of Rugby in the lead up to Rugby World Cup 2015. Previous destinations have included Japan, Australia, Fiji, Madagascar, South Africa, Argentina, Uruguay, USA and the UAE.
The Trophy arrived from Hong Kong and spent two days visiting locations in and around the city.
During the visit, the Webb Ellis Cup visited Xuhui No.1 Primary School where pupils got a chance to see the Trophy up close. The Trophy also visited some of the city’s most iconic locations including the China Pavillion and the Pearl Tower.
Chief Executive of England Rugby 2015, Debbie Jevans, said: “The past seven months have seen the Webb Ellis Cup travelling to countries all over the globe with the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour. The Trophy has received a warm welcome everywhere it has been, making it a celebration of Rugby. I would like to thank everyone in Shanghai who hosted us during our visit and I hope that it has helped to spread some of the excitement that is building towards the Tournament. We are looking forward to visiting the remaining five countries on the Trophy Tour next year.”
Rugby World Cup, the third largest global sporting event behind the Olympics and Football World Cup, takes place in England and Cardiff next year between September 18 and October 31. The Tournament will be hosted in 13 venues in 11 cities across the country. The remaining tickets are on sale at tickets.rugbyworldcup.com.
The Trophy Tour, which is the first time Rugby’s most coveted prize has been showcased around the world, is being delivered in partnership with Land Rover and DHL – two long supporters of the Game and Rugby World Cup 2015 Worldwide Partners.
The Webb Ellis Cup journeyed to Shanghai Rugby Football Club, the city’s biggest Rugby club, where Land Rover Global Ambassador Lawrence Dallaglio presented the famous Trophy he lifted with England in 2003. Dallaglio and DHL Ambassador, Ollie Phillips took park in a Rugby training session for 70 children from a number of schools in the area, whilst sharing Rugby tips and insights with local coaches.
Lawrence Dallaglio said: “Taking the Webb Ellis Cup to Shanghai Rugby Football Club has capped off a remarkable week with Land Rover on the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour. From the iconic sights of Hong Kong to the bustling centre of Shanghai, the reception we have received throughout the trip has proven the global appeal of Rugby, even in a region where the game is still developing. The children here at Shanghai RFC have shown some great skills and hopefully the presence of the Trophy will inspire a new generation of the sport’s stars.”
As part of the visit to Shanghai RFC, Jaguar Land Rover China also launched a ground-breaking initiative, which will use the values that Rugby teaches to up to four thousand Chinese children in Shanghai’s inner city areas. The Land Rover China Youth Rugby Development Programme, established under the ‘Sports for All’ pillar of The Jaguar Land Rover China Children & Youth Dream Fund, will work with local partners, including teachers and coaches, to access vulnerable young people and deliver improved access to educational resources, sports training, English instruction and personal and life skills training.
Bob Grace, Regional President of Jaguar Land Rover Greater China, commented: “The Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour forms a major part of Land Rover’s commitment to developing all levels of Rugby worldwide. Closer to home, the game of Rugby is developing at an astonishing rate amongst young people in China and Land Rover is a driving force in continuing to increase the sport’s popularity. We are therefore delighted to launch the Land Rover China Youth Rugby Development Programme to further champion Rugby’s values of team work, responsibility, discipline and respect. Our aim is to improve the athletic ability and physical fitness of Chinese children, cultivate their passion for sports, and help them develop a positive attitude towards life through Rugby.”
The first stop for the Webb Ellis Cup in Shanghai was the beautiful art district of Tianzifang, for the DHL Rugby vs. the World Challenge. In another unique encounter, Rugby went up against the ancient martial art of Kung Fu. Former World Rugby Sevens Player of the Year Ollie Phillips took on the daunting challenge of facing Shaolin Master Zhang Yi, in a sporting spectacle like nothing seen before. The two competitors went head-to-head in an intense challenge to decide the ultimate sporting champion.
Jack O’Neill, Deputy Managing Director China, DHL – Sinotrans International Air Courier Ltd., said, “We are proud to play a part in celebrating Rugby in China and introducing the sport to the young generation of the country. Rugby is a growing sport in China. We look forward to sharing the excitement of Rugby World Cup 2015 with fans, customers and employees.”
Next year will see the Webb Ellis Cup visit the following locations as part of the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour: Italy, Romania, Canada, Germany and France.
