The Webb Ellis Cup arrives in Canada
Rugby’s most prestigious prize, the Webb Ellis Cup, has arrived in Canada as part of the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour.
The Trophy Tour is approaching the end of its 12 month journey around 15 countries as part of a celebration of Rugby. Previously the Webb Ellis Cup has visited Japan, Australia, Fiji, Madagascar, South Africa, Argentina, Uruguay, USA, UAE, China, Italy and Romania.
The Trophy will spend two days in Toronto followed by one day in Vancouver.
This morning the Webb Ellis Cup was given a Canadian welcome at Hamilton Airport by Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 Runner-Up, Laura Russell who was accompanied by two members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.
This afternoon the Webb Ellis Cup is due to visit Kew Beach School where pupils will get an opportunity to see the iconic Trophy. Then in the evening the Webb Ellis Cup will be guest of honour at a special reception hosted by the British Consulate General.
This is the first time Rugby’s most coveted prize has been showcased around the world and is being delivered in partnership with Land Rover and DHL – two long supporters of the Game and Rugby World Cup 2015 Worldwide Partners.
Tomorrow the Webb Ellis Cup makes its way to Toronto’s MasterCard Centre for the excitement of DHL’s Rugby Vs. the World Challenge. Three-time Olympic Ice Hockey Gold medallist Jennifer Botterill will represent Canada’s national sport in a battle on the ice against Women’s Rugby World Cup Runner-Up Laura Russell. The two will go toe-to-toe in a clash of sporting titans in three unique challenges as they lay claim to the Rugby Vs. the World Crown in Canada.
In the afternoon the Webb Ellis Cup will visit Toronto Nomads Rugby Club as Land Rover continues its commitment to taking the Trophy to places it has never been. Here boys and girls aged 7-12 from the club’s ‘minis’ programme will be given the unique opportunity to get close to the greatest prize in world Rugby. One of the original established Rugby clubs in Ontario, the Nomads is a club which prides itself in encouraging sport for everyone.
The day will conclude with the Webb Ellis Cup on display at the Royal Canadian Military Institute as an opportunity for members of the public to see the famous Trophy.
On Saturday the Webb Ellis Cup will visit Capilano RFC where it will be joined by members of the Kwakwaka’wakw community for a celebration of Rugby.
Rugby World Cup, the third largest global sporting event behind the Olympics and Football World Cup, takes place in England and Cardiff between September 18 and October 31. The Tournament will be hosted in 13 venues in 11 cities across the country. Canada is in Pool D with France, Ireland, Romania and Italy. They will play their matches at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff, Elland Road in Leeds, Stadium MK in Milton Keynes and Leicester City Stadium.
The remaining tickets are on sale at tickets.rugbyworldcup.com, with some currently available for Canada’s match against Romania on Tuesday October 6 and against Ireland on Saturday September 19.
Mark Cameron, Global Brand Experience Director of Jaguar Land Rover, said, “It is extremely fitting for us to visit a club like the Toronto Nomads as their values of passion and integrity align perfectly with those of Land Rover. They are values which are required to create great competitive Rugby, from the grassroots to the elite, and Land Rover is proud to support all levels of the game, putting local clubs on the global stage at Rugby World Cup 2015 through our ‘We Deal In Real’ campaign.”
Andrew Williams, CEO of DHL Express Canada, said: “We are proud to provide our logistics expertise to the Rugby World Trophy Tour throughout its journey across Canada and the world. We are excited to give Canada’s Rugby fans the opportunity to see the Trophy first hand ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2015, and to help to build the excitement for RWC 2015 every step of the way. Here’s wishing our Canadian Men’s team the best of luck in the Tournament.”
