Exeter celebrates two years to Rugby World Cup 2015

Exeter and Sandy Park are celebrating the two-year countdown to the start of Rugby World Cup 2015, by placing rugby posts right in the heart of the city.

One of 11 host cities for the tournament which will be a celebration of rugby across the country, Exeter has been awarded 10 full size rugby posts by the Rugby Football Union (RFU) as part of its “Posts in Parks” legacy programme.  This is designed to help raise the profile of the game and encourage more people to get involved at a local level, particularly in the run-up to three games being played at Sandy Park The rugby posts will be located over the next few months at prominent city locations within city parks.

Cllr Rosie Denham, Lead Councillor for Economy & Culture, said: "Exeter City Council is pleased to welcome Rugby World Cup 2015 to the city and Sandy Park. We see this as an amazing opportunity to put Exeter on the national and international map to bring more visitors to the city. Posts in Parks has been launched to coincide with the two year countdown to the tournament in 2015.  The city is working with businesses to make sure that this proves to be the best event possible and to encourage visitors to stay longer, enjoying our culturally vibrant city." 

Tony Rowe OBE, Chairman and Chief Executive of Exeter Rugby Club, added: "With two years to go until Rugby World Cup 2015 kicks-off in England, we are already beginning to see the excitement and enthusiasm building at rugby venues across the country. Having the Rugby World Cup come to Sandy Park, to Exeter and the West Country is a huge achievement and something we must really make the most of over the next two years. This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase our city and our region, which we know is steeped in rugby tradition. The RFU’s Posts in Park legacy initiative not only marks the two-year countdown to the tournament, but is a great way to bring not only attention to the World Cup itself, but also the game of rugby in and around our great city."

RFU spokesperson Paula Rowe told The Exeter Daily "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for rugby to touch everybody's lives in every part of the community. By taking the Rugby World Cup out to all the regions in 2015 it will mean we can reach out and grow the sport in clubs, schools and communities. It all starts here in the run up to 2015. I think it is fantastic that Exeter will have a continuous reminder that the World Cup is coming and that everyone can join in with the excitement and support rugby in the area, from youth teams all the way up to the Exeter Chiefs. We hope more and more people will get to know rugby, and its associated core values of teamwork, respect, enjoyment, discipline and sportsmanship."

To find contact details for your local club visit www.rfu.com/takingpart and enter your postcode into the club finder tool at the top right of the page.

Exeter and Sandy Park are hosting three Rugby World Cup games in 2015:
Tuesday 29 September: Tonga v Africa 1
Wednesday 7 October: Africa 1 – v Europe 1
Sunday 11 October: Italy v Europe 2