20,000 Kiwis support RWC 2011 Roadshow

Throughout July, more than 20,000 New Zealanders shrugged off the cold and the early morning starts to attend Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC 2011) Roadshow events at 27 towns and cities across the country. The successful and well-attended Roadshow draws to a close in Auckland this Sunday.

The Roadshow kicked off on July 4, in Bluff. Despite the cold and the early start, locals poured into the custom-designed truck to have their photo taken with the Webb Ellis Cup, and take part in interactive REAL New Zealand Festival displays and activities during the three-hour event. The Roadshow was intended to give locals a preview of what would be happening in their region during RWC 2011.

On weekdays, Tamati Coffey from TV One’s Breakfast entertained the locals, celebrated visiting teams, and sampled delicacies from one end of the country to the next. As the Roadshow moved up the country, locals showed the rest of the country what they’d be doing to welcome RWC 2011 visitors and teams to their region. These included REAL New Zealand Festival events and activities such as, wood chopping, a Scottish pipe band, national dances, opera singing, gold panning and a celebrity whitebait cook off.

Every day, the two best dressed locals won tickets to RWC 2011 matches in their region. People came dressed as Rugby balls, goal posts, a potato, sushi and even a Webb Ellis Cup.

Along the way, more than 20,000 people have attended Roadshow events up and down the country. New Zealanders have had more than 11,000 photos taken with the Cup, and the Roadshow website has had almost 40,000 image views. To view or download photos, please visit www.flickr.com/rugbyworldcup.

Rugby New Zealand 2011 Chief Executive Martin Snedden was on site almost every day of the Roadshow and was thrilled with its success.

“New Zealanders have really come out in force to show their support for RWC 2011. Every person I talked to could see the great opportunity we have as hosts, and were doing their bit to make the most of it.”

Director of the NZ 2011 Office Leon Grice said that it was great that locals had taken every opportunity to celebrate the country during the Roadshow.

“Rain, hail or shine, it’s great to know that this is what our international visitors will experience when they get here in 40 days’ time. We are a nation of great hosts, and no matter where we live, we’re ready to show off the best of New Zealand.”

Organisers are thrilled with the turnout throughout New Zealand and the enthusiasm and excitement locals have shown for the Tournament. It’s now only 40 days until the first match of RWC 2011 and the start of the nationwide REAL New Zealand Festival, which runs alongside the Tournament.