Rugby League World Cup is coming to Copeland
Cllr Branney said, "This is exciting news for the area. The competition coming to Copeland will mean amateur clubs seeing coaches develop, young people's leadership skills will improve and participation in sport will rise. Having a major international sporting event on your doorstep doesn't happen too often and we want to thank the community for backing our bid and making it a reality."
29th November 2011
Copeland Borough Council is delighted to announce that Whitehaven has been named as a host venue for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.
The RFL today confirmed that the bid from Copeland has been accepted and that World Cup games will be played at the new Pow Beck Valley Community Stadium in two years' time and a competing team in the 14-nation tournament will be based in the area.
Councillor Elaine Woodburn, the Leader of Copeland Borough Council said, "We are delighted that Copeland has been selected to host the 2013 Rugby League World Cup. We recognise the benefits this competition will bring to the borough, including the outstanding community aspect of our bid. This will bring real benefits to the whole of Copeland."
Councillor Hugh Branney, Copeland Borough Council's portfolio holder for leisure, culture and youth, said, "This is exciting news for the area. The competition coming to Copeland will mean amateur clubs seeing coaches develop, young people's leadership skills will improve and participation in sport will rise. Having a major international sporting event on your doorstep doesn't happen too often and we want to thank the community for backing our bid and making it a reality."
2013 Rugby League World Cup Tournament Director Nigel Wood said: "I would like to congratulate Copeland who have been successful in their bid to host matches and teams in what I am confident will be a World Cup that enhances the UK's golden decade of sport.
"We experienced massive interest in hosting matches from all across Europe and the bidding process proved to be hugely competitive.
"In putting together their bid over the last 12 months, Copeland have demonstrated a level of commitment that gives us confidence that the 2013 Rugby League World Cup will exceed everyone's expectations.
"It has been a fantastic and inspiring bidding process and we have been extremely impressed with the quality, detail and diverse nature of the host bids received."
Today's announcement outlines 18 different venues which will stage matches and reveals six other venues which will host teams during the tournament. Details of host fixtures and venues for the opening ceremony, the semi-finals and the final will be confirmed early in the New Year.
A total of 34 bids, comprising 30 stadia, 47 team training sites and 87 team base camps, were submitted to the RFL. Each of the bidding hosts underwent a detailed inspection from a 2013 team to examine the various sites venue specifications, as well as evaluating the enthusiasm and commitment of each bidding host.
Upwards of half a million people are expected to watch the 28 matches live over a six-week period in the autumn of 2013 with a further 20 million viewers from 120 countries tuning in around the world.
For further information, please contact Copeland Borough Council Communications Manager, Ian Curwen - 01946 598504 or RFL Communications Manager, John Ledger - 0113 237 5049 or john.ledger@rfl.uk.com
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