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For Immediate Release...
September 1, 2006
VINTAGE RUGBY GOES TO NEW ZEALAND HEARTLAND
Vintage Rugby will take its international carnival to New Zealand for the
first time, with confirmation that the 2008 event will be staged in
Christchurch.
The third World Vintage Rugby Carnival – the first was held in Ireland in
2004 and the second in Buenos Aires later this month will be held in the
heartland of New Zealand Rugby – home of Canterbury Rugby - from September
14 – 20, 2008.
Carnival Co-Coordinator Paul Gleeson from Vintage Sport & Leisure says the
number of visiting teams will be restricted to 80. Entries are expected from
all over the Rugby world, including the USA, UK, Europe, South Africa,
Australia, Asia and New Zealand.
Mr Gleeson says Vintage Rugby is a rapidly growing international movement
for men over 35 years of age. The Carnival in Buenos Aires later this month
has attracted unprecedented support with 51 teams and over 1200 visitors
from 12 countries attending. It is expected that these numbers will increase
for the Christchurch Carnival.
Matches will be played on 15 fields at three host clubs – Marist Albion RFC,
Burnside RFC, and Merivale & Lincoln University RFC.
The Carnival is being staged with the full support of the Canterbury Rugby
Union and Christchurch City Council which has committed significant
resources and funding to support a worldwide marketing plan to attract
veteran rugby sides to NZ.
“The three host clubs have wonderful fields and hospitality facilities, and
are less than 15 minutes from the centre of the city. This Carnival will
certainly be conducive to our aims of providing maximum enjoyment both on
and off the field”, said Mr Gleeson.
“Vintage Rugby is designed to totally reflect the wishes of the players and
our Carnivals are organised to their specifications. The venue was chosen
after we polled our extensive database, and we couldn’t have asked for a
better and more hospitable environment.
“New Zealand also offers a multitude of activities off the field, to
guarantee a memorable visit, a true Rugby experience and an outstanding
event. As the home of Canterbury Rugby, Christchurch is a fanatical Rugby
centre renowned for its hospitality.”
The Mayor of Christchurch, Mr Garry Moore said the City Council was right
behind the Carnival.
“The Christchurch City Council is fully backing the Carnival and expecting a
memorable celebration of Rugby. It’s not by chance that Christchurch
continues to attract some of New Zealand’s most prestigious events. With a
compact city centre and proximity of attractions and facilities to one
another, Christchurch is the perfect location for the 2008 World Vintage
Rugby Carnival” he said.
The 2008 Carnival will offer two sections for men: 35 – 45 years, and 46
years and over.
The Carnival programme includes three playing days (of one game each for
each team). Teams will be grouped together in sections to ensure that teams
of similar ages play each other. Official referees will be used for all
games.
Mr Gleeson said Vintage Rugby would continue to offer an opportunity for
mature sportsmen and women to travel to popular destinations in the name of
Rugby, to meet new and old friends in a relaxing, social, non-competitive
and well-organised environment which will deliver what they want from a
Rugby experience.
The week’s activities will include an official opening ceremony , a parade
of teams, an opening cocktail party and a grand finale Dine & Dance
function.
“By all these measures, Christchurch will be a magnificent venue for the
2008 Carnival,” he added.
Full details about the 2008 World Vintage Rugby Carnival are on the event
website www.vintagerugby.com
For further information: Carnival Coordinator
Paul Gleeson
e-mail: paul@vintagerugby.com
64 9 522 1310 (office)
64 21 944534 (mobile)
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