WARRINGTON will play a major role in the Rugby League World Cup
in 2013 after being chosen by the Rugby League to be a host town, which could
trigger a £2 million boost to the local economy.
Identified as one of the top four bids, Warrington’s impressive Halliwell Jones Stadium, currently undergoing expansion to increase its capacity to 15,000, has been chosen as a venue to host World Cup matches.
Warrington will also be a host town for one of the 14 competing nations, with an announcement due in January.
Cllr Terry O’Neil, leader of Warrington Borough Council, who have been supporting the bid, said at a special live streaming of the announcement from the RL HQ at the Halliwell Jones this morning: “This is tremendous news for Warrington, the rugby club and our various partners.
“A lot of hard working has gone into preparing this bid and it shows how partnership working can bring tremendous benefits to the whole town.
“We can look forward to an exciting time for Warrington as a town, with the opening of Orford Park next year as our Olympic legacy, followed by the Rugby league World Cup the following year. This is an amazing achievement which can only be good for Warrington and the local economy.”
Warrington Wolves’ Chief Executive Andy Gatcliffe praised the support of the borough council and the various partners who had helped secure the successful bid.
“One thing we are envied for int he Super League is the Halliwell Jones stadium and all its facilities. This is the start of an amazing journey which the whole town will benefit from and everyone should be very proud of what we have achieved.”
Various businesses have been backing the bid including local bus company Network Warrington with 100 buses proudly proclaiming “We’re backing the bid”, with the vinyl situated immediately above the entrance doors, meaning all customers and passers-by can see the company’s commitment to bring Rugby League World Cup games to the town.
David Squire, Managing Director of Network Warrington said, “We have been impressed by the sheer hard work and commitment of the team that have submitted the bid, as the local bus operator, we felt it important to visibly demonstrate our backing of the bid, which will be such a great boost for the town.”
Jan Souness, chair of the Rugby League World Cup bid steering group, said: ‘I’m delighted Network Warrington and various other organisations and businesses have been backing the bid. The support we have been getting makes a real difference.
“I haver wortked in local government for 37 years and this is the best ever project I have worked on.”
Economic assessments have suggested any town hosting one of the bigger teams could benefit to the tune of £2.4 million, with those hosting some of the smaller nations still generating around £1.5m.
Picture shows the Network Warrington launch at Warrington Wolves’ Halliwell Jones Stadium, L-R David Musson (who won Warrington Sports Award for disabled sports achiever); Wolfie; David Squire (Managing Director Network Warrington); Ann Marie Slavin (Finance Director Network Warrington); Maureen Banner (Chair Network Warrington); Jan Souness (Chair of the Rugby League World Cup Bid); Steve Broomhead (Chair Warrington Wolves) and Andy Gatcliffe (Chief Executive Warrington Wolves).
Video coverage of the announcement
