- REAL New Zealand Festival launched
- Eden Park to re-open October 10
- Applications for individual match tickets open Friday September 10
With one year to go to kick-off to Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011), Tournament Organiser Rugby New Zealand 2011 (RNZ 2011) says preparations are well on track for New Zealand to stage an excellent Tournament.
"The foundations are being laid for a Tournament all New Zealanders will be proud of," said RNZ 2011 CEO Martin Snedden.
To mark the One Year to Go milestone RNZ 2011 today released a special eMagazine, "Countdown to RWC 2011". To read this, please click here.
"We urge New Zealanders and fans around the world to read
our story and spread the word. It shows that the Stadium of Four
Million is coming alive, something we see every week as we travel
through New Zealand.
"Communities, Rugby clubs and other organisations up and down New Zealand are really getting behind this Tournament and the opportunity it provides to showcase our country to the world.
"And today's launch of the REAL New Zealand Festival by the Prime Minister provides another great reason for New Zealanders to embrace RWC 2011."
Regions all around the country have marked the 'One Year to Go milestone in their own way, by contributing a short piece of video footage of their region 'shouting out' or 'spelling out' One Year to Go. This national compilation can be viewed at www.youtube.com/rugbyworldcup.
Bernard Lapasset, RWCL Chairman, said: "The year to go milestone is a special time for the tournament and also for the people of New Zealand. I am confident the whole country will be proud of RWC 2011 and become involved through its wonderful mix of matches, live sites, festival and legacy activities and volunteering opportunities."
"Planning and preparations are at an advanced stage, the commercial programme is on track and as the countdown enters its final year, the global Rugby community awaits a tournament that will provide the seventh chapter of the RWC story in a country that is totally immersed in Rugby's tradition and culture. I have no doubt that it will be a resounding success."
Canterbury earthquake
"We are making good progress because of the team behind us at every level up and down the country," said Martin Snedden. "But we acknowledge this is a tough time for Canterbury, one of the key members of our team.
"Our hearts go out to the people of Canterbury at this difficult time.
"We are monitoring potential impacts on our planning for RWC 2011, but at this stage there is nothing to suggest the region will not be able to play its part in hosting this event. Stadium Christchurch, venue for seven RWC 2011 matches, was given the all clear by structural engineers yesterday and that is great news.
"We also acknowledge that people have much on their plate at the moment so we have decided to make a special allocation of tickets for Christchurch matches which will be made available at a later date.
"Cantabrians have shown great spirit in coping with this disaster - it is that spirit which gives us confidence that they will bounce back and put on a fantastic Tournament next year."
Tournament progress
Martin Snedden said much progress has been made at every level over the past year in terms of delivering the Tournament.
"Eden Park will be open for business on October 10 and that is a great achievement. All other major stadia redevelopments will be finished this year and the new Otago Stadium is on track for completion next year.
"Tomorrow marks another milestone when applications open for Phase 2 of ticketing - individual match tickets. This is the last chance to enter the ballot for semi-final and Final tickets so we urge fans to take advantage of this four week period to apply.
"Phase 1 sales were in line with expectations with 503,000 tickets sold, including sales to 20,000 fans living overseas.
"We promised a Stadium of Four Million New Zealanders would help deliver this Tournament and make it a uniquely New Zealand flavoured RWC.
"We hope today's celebrations encourage more Kiwis to think about how they can get involved and make this a special Tournament that will linger long in all our memories. For example, volunteering is a great way to make a difference and share in the experience (registrations close on September 24).
"As Jonah Lomu says in our eMagazine, 'it's going to be amazing for all of us. Let's make sure we New Zealanders show the world a great time at our place in 2011.'"
