DISCUSSION | Rugby World Cup 2011

[SYDNEY]

Auckland region welcomes 20-team RWC 2011
ACC - 01 December 2007

The Auckland region is delighted that the International Rugby Board has agreed to stay with a 20-team tournament for the next Rugby World Cup in 2011. Auckland, as the major hub of the 2011 event and the venue for the cup final, will play host to a wide range of cultures from among the 20 competing countries. Rachael Dacy, chair of the region's RWC steering group, says a 20-team event will provide a greater opportunity for Aucklanders to both experience a live game and celebrate hosting teams from the other side of the world. "You only have to look at what happened in France with thousands of people turning up to the public training sessions for the likes of Georgia and Namibia to appreciate the community involvement." "We want to make RWC 2011 an event that all Aucklanders can be proud of, be involved in and benefit from."

Ms Dacy says the Auckland region's preparations for RWC 2011 are well underway with key organisations from across the region working collaboratively to maximise the opportunities from the event. The region's initial planning includes preparing a joint regional bid for match and team allocations and developing a regional visitor plan. "It's about delivering an experience that will leave locals and visitors with a lasting impression that Auckland can host an event with flair and sophistication," says Ms Dacy. "It's also an opportunity to improve our region's infrastructure and to leave residents with a legacy they can rightly be proud of."

The event provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase Auckland and New Zealand to the world. "We have a unique opportunity to prepare our city and the region to take centre stage in one of the largest sporting events in the world," says Ms Dacy. "With a television audience of more than three billion and more than 70,000 international tourists in New Zealand for this tournament, this is about much more than just rugby. Ms Dacy says the region will reap the rewards of the investment and planning now underway. "The direct economic benefit of RWC 2011 for Auckland is estimated to be $240 million. That's a phenomenal financial return for the region over the six-week tournament period. "Aucklanders should be reassured that we are already in motion to help make this an event that delivers for the region long after the final whistle blows," she says

[jarbury]

Good to see it's stayed at 20 teams. The "minnows" actually did pretty well this year.

[SYDNEY]

I guess that we will start hearing more and more about the preparations for The RWC 2011 and this is the thread for all the news that you can get ...

[SYDNEY]

Originally Posted by jarbury

Good to see it's stayed at 20 teams. The "minnows" actually did pretty well this year.

I agree, also more manageable, I just hope that all the teams get to play each other, I am still upset that South Africa and New Zealand didn't get to play one game against each other ...

[IHaveNoLegs]

Originally Posted by ENIGMA

Auckland region welcomes 20-team RWC 2011
ACC - 01 December 2007

The Auckland region is delighted that the International Rugby Board has agreed to stay with a 20-team tournament for the next Rugby World Cup in 2011. Auckland, as the major hub of the 2011 event and the venue for the cup final, will play host to a wide range of cultures from among the 20 competing countries. Rachael Dacy, chair of the region's RWC steering group, says a 20-team event will provide a greater opportunity for Aucklanders to both experience a live game and celebrate hosting teams from the other side of the world. "You only have to look at what happened in France with thousands of people turning up to the public training sessions for the likes of Georgia and Namibia to appreciate the community involvement." "We want to make RWC 2011 an event that all Aucklanders can be proud of, be involved in and benefit from."

Ms Dacy says the Auckland region's preparations for RWC 2011 are well underway with key organisations from across the region working collaboratively to maximise the opportunities from the event. The region's initial planning includes preparing a joint regional bid for match and team allocations and developing a regional visitor plan. "It's about delivering an experience that will leave locals and visitors with a lasting impression that Auckland can host an event with flair and sophistication," says Ms Dacy. "It's also an opportunity to improve our region's infrastructure and to leave residents with a legacy they can rightly be proud of."

The event provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase Auckland and New Zealand to the world. "We have a unique opportunity to prepare our city and the region to take centre stage in one of the largest sporting events in the world," says Ms Dacy. "With a television audience of more than three billion and more than 70,000 international tourists in New Zealand for this tournament, this is about much more than just rugby. Ms Dacy says the region will reap the rewards of the investment and planning now underway. "The direct economic benefit of RWC 2011 for Auckland is estimated to be $240 million. That's a phenomenal financial return for the region over the six-week tournament period. "Aucklanders should be reassured that we are already in motion to help make this an event that delivers for the region long after the final whistle blows," she says

articles like that make me wonder if nz is hosting this or if it is just in auckland

[SYDNEY]

Originally Posted by IHaveNoLegs

articles like that make me wonder if nz is hosting this or if it is just in auckland

It is written by The Auckland City Council they have their best interests at heart bless them.

[GoluBoy]

Originally Posted by ENIGMA

Auckland region welcomes 20-team RWC 2011
ACC - 01 December 2007

The Auckland region is delighted that the International Rugby Board has agreed to stay with a 20-team tournament for the next Rugby World Cup in 2011. Auckland, as the major hub of the 2011 event and the venue for the cup final, will play host to a wide range of cultures from among the 20 competing countries. Rachael Dacy, chair of the region's RWC steering group, says a 20-team event will provide a greater opportunity for Aucklanders to both experience a live game and celebrate hosting teams from the other side of the world. "You only have to look at what happened in France with thousands of people turning up to the public training sessions for the likes of Georgia and Namibia to appreciate the community involvement." "We want to make RWC 2011 an event that all Aucklanders can be proud of, be involved in and benefit from."

Ms Dacy says the Auckland region's preparations for RWC 2011 are well underway with key organisations from across the region working collaboratively to maximise the opportunities from the event. The region's initial planning includes preparing a joint regional bid for match and team allocations and developing a regional visitor plan. "It's about delivering an experience that will leave locals and visitors with a lasting impression that Auckland can host an event with flair and sophistication," says Ms Dacy. "It's also an opportunity to improve our region's infrastructure and to leave residents with a legacy they can rightly be proud of."

The event provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase Auckland and New Zealand to the world. "We have a unique opportunity to prepare our city and the region to take centre stage in one of the largest sporting events in the world," says Ms Dacy. "With a television audience of more than three billion and more than 70,000 international tourists in New Zealand for this tournament, this is about much more than just rugby. Ms Dacy says the region will reap the rewards of the investment and planning now underway. "The direct economic benefit of RWC 2011 for Auckland is estimated to be $240 million. That's a phenomenal financial return for the region over the six-week tournament period. "Aucklanders should be reassured that we are already in motion to help make this an event that delivers for the region long after the final whistle blows," she says

As Waldorf and Statler from the Muppets would say "More"! "More"!

[IHaveNoLegs]

Originally Posted by ENIGMA

It is written by The Auckland City Council they have their best interests at heart bless them.

when asked about paying for the stadium they are quick to say this is an nz event so the govt should pay

[jarbury]

Can we please keep stadium discussion to the Eden Park thread!!!

[KIWIKAAS]

Originally Posted by ENIGMA

"With a television audience of more than three billion...

Where on earth do they come up with these numbers?
If the have a TV audience a 10th of that then it will be a great success.

[SYDNEY]

Could somebody please tell me when the RWC is held - is it during Summer or Winter ?

Mayor digs in: City won't put money into upgrade
NZ HERALD - 5:00AM Tuesday December 18, 2007

Auckland ratepayers' cash is more likely to go towards cleaning the city beaches for Rugby World Cup visitors in 2011 than on the main cup venue itself. The Government and the Eden Park Trust Board on Sunday confirmed Eden Park would have a $240.5 million revamp for the 2011 event. About $212 million in funding has already been confirmed - $190 million from the Government, $10 million from New Zealand Rugby Union and $12 million from the Eden Park Trust Board - but Auckland Mayor John Banks said the council would not put any money in.

Mr Banks said ratepayers who elected him this year said they didn't want their money going into the stadium itself. "The project is $240 million plus $20 million that the Auckland City Council has promised for economic infrastructure outside the stadium, which means that we're still $28 million short," he said. "But it is not my project, it does not belong to me. It is in Auckland city, I would like to see it funded and I'm doing all I can, but my constituent ratepayers have said yes to $20 million and yes to the spend outside the stadium.

"I respect the views of the voters and they have told me in no uncertain terms how they feel about the upgrade of Eden Park." Mr Banks said he hoped Auckland Regional Council, which has already promised money for upgrading public transport for the World Cup, would find some money for the stadium. "I would be hopeful that the ARC could see their way clear to put in $20 million or $22 million, but the ARC of course are entitled to their own views on these things." In addition to the investment in and around Eden Park, Mr Banks said a great deal of money needed to be spent on improving the city for tourists coming out to the tournament.

"For example, we've got to clean up the beaches of raw sewage. That's a huge and expensive challenge," he said. "We can't have international visitors coming here and swimming in sewage on the eastern bays beaches." Mr Banks said that hosting the tournament "is going to be the most expensive infrastructure project undertaken in this city ever". "It should benefit the city but we have to be very careful that we don't saddle Eden Park with a debt profile that is not manageable." If the regional council doesn't front up with the money, Mr Banks said he was confident Eden Park management would find a way to source the extra $28 million. Mr Banks has been searching for ways to cut council spending since his election earlier this year.

[SYDNEY]

^ Okay, just found out that it will be held during September/October 2011 so why is this IDIOT so worried about people spending time on our beaches ? This is the 2nd report where he has mentioned the beaches. We all know that the Spring weather isn't the greatest .... Is this man an absolute moron ?

[Svartmetall]

The council could at least pay a LITTLE towards the upgrade of Eden Park, I mean they're now asking for mere peanuts. I think the small investment would help pay off in the long term considering the level of tourism that the RWC final will bring to the city - look at all the hotels, bars etc that will be filled. Plus because it's the RWC final, people are going to be able to linger in Auckland for a few days before flying out meaning extra tourist $$$. A couple of million would be a wise investment in this case. Of course it wouldn't have been right for the city council to fund the whole thing, but a token contribution isn't much to ask.

As far as the beaches go - I think anything that cleans up our beaches for everyones enjoyment is a good thing despite the fact that it is being done in the name of the RWC.

[SYDNEY]

Originally Posted by Svartmetall

The council could at least pay a LITTLE towards the upgrade of Eden Park, I mean they're now asking for mere peanuts. I think the small investment would help pay off in the long term considering the level of tourism that the RWC final will bring to the city - look at all the hotels, bars etc that will be filled. Plus because it's the RWC final, people are going to be able to linger in Auckland for a few days before flying out meaning extra tourist $$$. A couple of million would be a wise investment in this case. Of course it wouldn't have been right for the city council to fund the whole thing, but a token contribution isn't much to ask.

As far as the beaches go - I think anything that cleans up our beaches for everyones enjoyment is a good thing despite the fact that it is being done in the name of the RWC.

I think that the beaches look lovely - most of the time they are clean etc. I just feel that there is more to the RWC 2011 than beaches AND I get the feeling that he doesn't know what to do .... he keeps drumming on about the beaches. Yes you are right, in spite of the RWC the beaches should be maintained, that is a given.

[MonsieurAquilone]

Don't worry, it's a political move. Banks is going to do a "I will not budge" act to spur central government into action. They have the BIG pursestrings and so more pressure on them will result in more substantial development and investment with which a somewhat cash-poor council can't necessarily go all the way. It has worked as well, the government has finally stumped up more for the Eden Park upgrade...finally. He is being wily in this regard, give him a chance.

[KLK]

Originally Posted by MonsieurAquilone

Don't worry, it's a political move. Banks is going to do a "I will not budge" act to spur central government into action. They have the BIG pursestrings and so more pressure on them will result in more substantial development and investment with which a somewhat cash-poor council can't necessarily go all the way. It has worked as well, the government has finally stumped up more for the Eden Park upgrade...finally. He is being wily in this regard, give him a chance.

Entirely agree - a bit of old-school political hardball to force central government's hand......

[GoluBoy]

Originally Posted by ENIGMA

^ Okay, just found out that it will be held during September/October 2011 so why is this IDIOT so worried about people spending time on our beaches ? This is the 2nd report where he has mentioned the beaches. We all know that the Spring weather isn't the greatest .... Is this man an absolute moron ?

I do believe a gentle 'yet' un-garnished mix of Moron,Dolt and Penis Puller would more accurately describe this Public Servant's general demeanor.

[MonsieurAquilone]

Originally Posted by Utopia2007

I do believe a gentle 'yet' un-garnished mix of Moron,Dolt and Penis Puller would more accurately describe this Public Servant's general demeanor.

Did you live in America?

[Jazzy_Jeff]

I think when he says "clean up the beaches" he means what is in the water in the form of raw sewage. So any catalyst to dealing with this problem is fine by me.

[jarbury]

Separation of wastewater and stormwater pipes is a HUGE job, I don't think anyone can deny that.

I definitely think the city council should throw some money into Eden Park though.