The Webb Ellis Cup, the Rugby World Cup trophy, will be on display at venues on a three day visit this weekend.
The famous gold trophy, which was lifted by England captain Martin Johnson in Sydney in November 2003, will be visiting Hereford, Worcester, Telford, Sutton Coldfield and Birmingham as part of its tour of England ahead of this year’s tournament which starts in September.
“North Midlands and Birmingham Rugby Partnership see this weekend as the real start of awareness of the of World Cup competition coming to our country in only two months’ time,” said Peter Grace, chairman of the Birmingham Rugby Partnership.
“It’s an opportunity to share rugby with the whole community across the region. Hopefully clubhouses and pitches will be packed with new and old participants of all shapes and sizes.
“What a fantastic welcome to North Midlands it will be when the historic Webb Ellis Cup meets the Mappa Mundi. Two worlds will meet in the historic Hereford Cathedral. It will be the whole Rugby World in unison.
“We hope that thousands of people will engage with the Cup and the reality that an England team has a real chance of being World Champions again and attracting new participants to the great social game.
“The two days during which the trophy will tour Birmingham will bring home the reality that two World Champions – South Africa and Australia – will be playing in matches at Villa Park in a weekend in September.
“We hope that people enjoy this weekend’s Trophy Tour and prepare for a party and as well as building a lasting rugby legacy.”
The trophy will be on display at Hereford Cathedral, home of the Mappa Mundi, from 8.30am to 11.30am on Saturday July 18 and will then be transported to Sixways Stadium, home of Worcester Warriors, where it will be displayed from 1pm to 4pm.
The trophy will end its first day in North Midlands at Telford’s Town Park between 6pm and 9pm.
On Sunday July 19 the Webb Ellis Cup will visit Chancellors Court at the University of Birmingham, which has been chosen as one of the training bases for the World Cup, from 9am to 11am and will then be taken to Moseley’s Billesley Common ground between 12pm and 3pm.
Sutton Coldfield’s Walmley Road ground, the second World Cup training base in the area, will host the trophy between 4pm and 7pm.
Monday July 20, the last day of the Trophy Tour in North Midlands will see the cup on display at four venues in Birmingham.
The day will start at Villa Park, venue for two World Cup matches, between 9am and 11am before the trophy is taken to the iconic Bull Ring Shopping Centre between 12pm and 1.30pm.
The trophy will then be displayed in Victoria Square between 2pm and 5pm and will end its stay in Birmingham at a dinner at the city’s Council House between 6.30pm and 9pm.
Celebratory events are being planned around the Rugby World Cup Trophy tour to help raise awareness of the forthcoming World Cup and to help attract new players, coaches, referees and volunteers of all ages into the North Midlands rugby community.
North Midlands Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour itinerary:
- Date: July 18th 2015
- Time: 09:30 – 11:30
- Location: Hereford Cathedral
- Details: Photo opportunities with the Webb Ellis Cup and various events including a tag rugby festival taking place on Cathedral Close
- Date: July 18th 2015
- Time: 13:00 – 16:00
- Location: Worcester Warriors – Sixways Stadium
- Details: A whole day of activities for all the family, a tag tournament, live music and funfair from 10:30, with the Webb Ellis Cup displayed from 13:00 to 16:00.
- Date: July 18th 2015
- Time: 11:00 – 21:00
- Location: Telford Town Park
- Details: The annual T Party in the Park event has the added excitement of a visit from the Webb Ellis Cup. Activities begin at 11am, with the World Cup Trophy arriving at 18:00 and staying until 21:00.
- Date: July 19th 2015
- Time: 10:00 – 12:00
- Location: University of Birmingham
- Details: Photo opportunities with the Webb Ellis Cup outside the iconic Chancellor Court, there’ll also be a coaching session for local schools.
- Date: July 19th 2015
- Time: 11:00 – 15:30
- Location: Moseley RFC, Birmingham
- Details: Moseley RFC are hosting a youth rugby festival along with photo opportunities with the Webb Ellis Cup.
- Date: July 19th 2015
- Time: 16:30 – 20:00
- Location: Sutton Coldfield RFC
- Details: Photo opportunities with the Webb Ellis Cup and a rugby festival with chances to try out touch rugby.
- Date: July 20th 2015
- Time: 12:00 – 14:00
- Location: Bullring shopping centre, Birmingham
- Details: The Webb Ellis will be displayed near the bull with plenty of chances for photographs.
- Date: July 20th 2015
- Time: 14:00 – 20:00
- Location: Victoria Square, Birmingham
- Details: Photo opportunities with the Webb Ellis Cup in front of the Council House, a touch rugby tournament will also be taking place.