500 Days To Rugby World Cup 2011

Northland 2011 Regional Co-ordinator Stewart McElwain with a promotional ticket to one of the two Northland games being held as part of Rugby World Cup 2011. April 27 marks both the start of ticket sales and a 500 day countdown to the official start of the RWC.

Northland’s Rugby fans can mark an important milestone off their calendar when applications for tickets to Rugby World Cup 2011 open tomorrow

Tuesday 27 April also marks 500 days until the official start of Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) - the third biggest sporting event in the world.

Northland 2011 – the group co-ordinating Northland’s RWC 2011 planning and operational delivery – says it’s not just the region’s Rugby fans with something to look forward to; RWC 2011 is also expected to deliver a multimillion dollar economic windfall to the North.

To mark the start of applications for tickets and the 500 day milestone, Northland 2011 will tomorrow (27 April) officially launch its regional website www.northland2011.com and its social media channels on Facebook and Twitter.

The new website provides a range of news and information for Northlanders on games (including two to be held at the region’s new Northland Events Centre), events and festivals throughout the Tournament.

Northland 2011 spokesman Stewart McElwain – Regional Co-ordinator with regional development agency Enterprise Northland – says the website also details specific business guidance on supplying to Tournament organisers and associated businesses. It also provides a range of advice on what’s available - and where - in terms of staff training.

Mr McElwain says all Northland households should have recently received a copy of the Official Ticket Guide for RWC 2011 from Tournament Organiser, Rugby New Zealand 2011.

He says the Official Ticket Guide explains how Northlanders can get a slice of the action. Full ticket information is available at www.rugbyworldcup.com/tickets

He says Northland Venue Pool Packs - for the matches between Tonga and Canada on September 14 and Tonga and the Asia 1 Qualifier on September 21 - will be the least expensive of the entire Tournament.

“Venue Pool Packs for the new Northland Events Centre at Whangarei’s Okara Park can be purchased by a family of four from $180 (excl. booking fees) in total. We’re hoping as many Northland fans as possible will take the chance to taste some Rugby World Cup action on their own doorstep.”

As well as providing a venue for the two matches, Northland will also host Canada, Tonga and the Asia 1 Qualifier for a total of 28 days during RWC 2011 pool play as they train and stay in both the Bay of Islands and Whangarei.

Mr McElwain says as well as an opportunity to showcase Northland and its attractions to the three teams and their many supporters – and a potential cumulative worldwide television audience of billions – having them based here would also deliver significant economic benefits.

He says a study by hotel, tourism and leisure industry consultants Horwath Asia Pacific Limited had estimated Northland stood to gain up to $9 million from hosting games and having teams based here.

The study estimated another $27.5M would come Northland’s way through “general touring” (70 percent of it during the last fortnight) bringing the overall “Northland regional impact from the tourism and match perspective” to about $36.5 million.

“Those figures are based on 25,000 international visitors staying for an average of three nights.”

Mr McElwain says Northland 2011’s key membership included the region’s three District Councils, the Northland Regional Council and the Northland Rugby Union. It is also supported by local economic, sporting, business, tourism and other groups.

All Northlanders are encouraged to get involved by visiting the Northland 2011 website www.northland2011.com and subscribing to the ‘Game On’ or ‘Business Ready’ Newsletters. You can also stay informed by following Northland 2011 on Twitter www.twitter.com/Northland2011 or becoming a fan on Facebook www.facebook.com/Northland2011

ENDS

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