(Image: The 12 World Cup captains at Tower Bridge, London. (c) Ilona O'Donnell)
The official launch of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010 took place today in London today ahead of the start of the 17-day event on Friday.
An array of well known sporting faces from the UK attended the event including former England international Will Greenwood, IRB Vice-Chairman Bill Beaumont and Minister for Sport. Hugh Robertson. The captains and coaches from the 12 competing teams were also present.
Speaking at the event Bill Beaumont said: “Women’s Rugby World Cup has redefined the boundaries of women’s rugby over the years, producing memorable encounters, outstanding rugby and positioning the Women’s Game in front of global audiences. Through an irresistible platform of record TV coverage, highly-competitive matches, unprecedented media interest and strong public support, I am sure that Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010 will take the women’s game to new levels, attracting new audiences in the UK and around the world."
The Mayor of London Boris Johnson also lent his support, saying: "City Hall is immensely proud to be marking the start of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, hosted in England for the first time, and I am delighted that the finals will take place at the Twickenham Stoop. Women’s rugby is rapidly growing and we have a truly world class England team.This is a fantastic opportunity to watch them play on home soil and cheer them on to victory. I hope it will inspire other young people to get into sport."
England Captain Catherine Spencer said: “It’s really exciting that we are now just days away from the games getting underway. We have been training really hard for this moment and know that we are ready for this. We are chomping at the bit for our first game against Ireland on Friday. To play in a world cup is a massive honour. To play in a world cup on home soil and lead your country is extra special and I just can’t wait.
“Certainly this is an amazing opportunity to raise the profile of women’s rugby both on and off the pitch. We have a fantastic legacy project going on, and I am sure that with Sky televising 13 games live that people who have never seen women’s rugby before will be truly impressed by the skill level.”
The WRWC match action kicks off on Friday August 20 at Guildford’s Surrey Sports Park and the semi and finals staged at the Twickenham Stoop.
Rugby fans who buy tickets for the WRWC 2010 will also be put on a priority ticketing information list for the 2015 Rugby World Cup in England.
For a full schedule see HERE
To buy tickets see HERE
