Japanese team management to visit North

Two high-ranking members of the Japanese Rugby Union will be in Northland next week on a pre Rugby World Cup 2011 fact-finding trip.


The duo – Team Manager JR Omura and Strength & Conditioning Trainer Martin Hulme – arrive in Northland on Thursday afternoon (subs: Sept 02) as part of a two-day flying visit to the region.


The pair is making an official ‘pre-Tournament Site Visit‘ ahead of next year’s Tournament during which the Japanese Team will play Tonga in Whangarei on September 21, 2011. The Team will be based in both the Bay of Islands and Whangarei during the lead up to the pool play match.


The September 02 and 03 visit will see Messrs Omura and Hulme briefly visit Kerikeri, Kawakawa and Whangarei to check out both match and training venues and team accommodation.


They will also discuss opportunities for the team to engage with the community at large, meet with local authority and other regional leaders and hold two brief media conferences.


Meanwhile, a small Tongan delegation is to undertake a similar visit to Northland in mid-September. Representatives of the third Northland-hosted team – Canada (which will play Tonga on September 14, 2011) – are due to make their pre-Tournament Site Visit in late January, 2011.


All three pre-Tournament Site Visits will be hosted by Northland 2011 - the group co-ordinating the North’s RWC 2011 planning and operational delivery. (Northland 2011’s key membership includes the region’s three District Councils, the Northland Regional Council and the Northland Rugby Union. It is also supported by local economic, sporting, business, tourism and other groups.)


Northland 2011 spokesman Stewart McElwain says along with an opportunity to showcase Northland and its attractions to the three teams and their many supporters – and a potential cumulative worldwide television audience of billions – having them based here would also deliver millions in economic benefits.


He says Northlanders are encouraged to visit the Northland 2011 website www.northland2011.com and subscribe to its ‘Game On’ or ‘Business Ready’ Newsletters.


“You can also stay informed by following Northland 2011 on Twitter www.twitter.com/Northland2011 or becoming a fan on Facebook www.facebook.com/Northland2011 “