AFTER seven months of taking the Webb Ellis Cup around the globe, the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour has finished the year in Shanghai.
Trophy lights up the Far East
The trophy started the week in Hong Kong, and the first day of the trip saw the famous trophy visit some of the city’s most iconic locations including the Tian Tan Buddha and Victoria Harbour. This was followed by a visit to the home of the Hong Kong Rugby Football Union, Kings Park, where the local community came together for a celebration of rugby and have their moment with the Webb Ellis Cup.
On the second day the trophy dropped into King George V School where former England sevens captain Ollie Phillips took pupils for a training session. Then in the evening the Webb Ellis Cup was guest of honour at a reception hosted at the British Consulate-General in association with The Great Britain Campaign, and attended by people from the local rugby community. Guests were entertained by the Hong Kong Welsh Male Voice Choir.
Least Driven Path
As part of Land Rover’s pledge to take the Webb Ellis Cup where it has never been, Lawrence Dallaglio embarked on the latest instalment of the Least Driven Path. Dallaglio, a Rugby World Cup winner with England in 2003, took the Webb Ellis Cup on a tour of Hong Kong’s most iconic locations, including Lantau Island’s picturesque Inspiration Lake, the busy Canton Road and Mount Davis.
Land Rover Ambassador Dallaglio said: “Being reunited with the Webb Ellis Cup never fails to bring back some amazing memories and it makes the experience even more pertinent when you get to share that with others. We have visited some of the iconic sights in Hong Kong as well as King George V School, where, if the skills of the local children were anything to go by, the future of Hong Kong rugby is in safe hands! This region may be developing in rugby terms but it doesn’t stop the people being hugely passionate for the game and hopefully giving them the chance to see this prestigious trophy will inspire them to continue on their rugby journey as the sport grows in the area.”
Mark Cameron, Global Brand Experience Director of Jaguar Land Rover, added: “Land Rover is proud to have helped England Rugby 2015 deliver the Webb Ellis Cup to another destination on the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour as excitement continues to grow for next year’s tournament. Rugby World Cup 2015 is set to be a truly global event and the Trophy Tour is an excellent opportunity for Land Rover to build on our commitment to all levels of the game.”
Rugby v Rope Skipping
After an early morning arrival on day one, the Webb Ellis Cup took centre stage in the most intriguing DHL Rugby versus the World Challenge to date —— Rugby versus Rope Skipping. Fiji’s captain from Rugby World Cup 2011, Deacon Manu, tested his skills against Timothy Ho Chu-ting, the world record holder in speed skipping. The two contenders went toe-to-toe in three challenges that tested their sporting prowess to the max under the watchful eyes of the Tian Tan Giant Buddha at Ngong Ping 360.
Executive Vice President Commercial, Asia Pacific and Managing Director, Hong Kong and Macau, DHL Express, Ken Lee, said: “DHL is proud to celebrate the success of the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour in Hong Kong in delivering rugby excitement to the city. We see strong synergies between our business and the world of rugby, since both embrace speed, passion and teamwork. These same values inspire our endeavor to be the logistics company for the world.”
Chinese Adventure
Following the visit to Hong Kong the Webb Ellis Cup spent two days in Shanghai. During the visit, the Webb Ellis Cup visited Xuhui No.1 Primary School where pupils got a chance to see the trophy up close. The trophy also visited some of the city’s most iconic locations including the China Pavillion and the Pearl Tower.
Warm reception
Chief Executive of England Rugby 2015, Debbie Jevans, said: “The past seven months have seen the Webb Ellis Cup travelling to countries all over the globe with the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour. The trophy has received a warm welcome everywhere it has been, making it a celebration of rugby. I would like to thank everyone in Shanghai who hosted us during our visit and I hope that it has helped to spread some of the excitement that is building towards the tournament. We are looking forward to visiting the remaining five countries on the Trophy Tour next year.”
The Webb Ellis Cup journeyed to Shanghai Rugby Football Club, the city’s biggest rugby club, where Dallaglio presented the famous trophy he lifted with England in 2003. Dallaglio and DHL Ambassador Ollie Phillips took park in a rugby training session for 70 children from a number of schools in the area, whilst sharing rugby tips and insights with local coaches.
Dallaglio said: “Taking the Webb Ellis Cup to Shanghai Rugby Football Club has capped off a remarkable week with Land Rover on the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour. From the iconic sights of Hong Kong to the bustling centre of Shanghai, the reception we have received throughout the trip has proven the global appeal of rugby, even in a region where the game is still developing. The children here at Shanghai RFC have shown some great skills and hopefully the presence of the trophy will inspire a new generation of the sport’s stars.”
Rugby for Good
As part of the visit to Shanghai RFC, Jaguar Land Rover China also launched a ground-breaking initiative, which will use the values that rugby teaches to up to four thousand Chinese children in Shanghai’s inner city areas. The Land Rover China Youth Rugby Development Program, established under the “Sports for All” pillar of The Jaguar Land Rover China Children & Youth Dream Fund, will work with local partners, including teachers and coaches, to access vulnerable young people and deliver improved access to educational resources, sports training, English instruction and personal and life skills training.
Bob Grace, Regional President of Jaguar Land Rover Greater China, commented: “The Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour forms a major part of Land Rover’s commitment to developing all levels of rugby worldwide. Closer to home, the game of rugby is developing at an astonishing rate amongst young people in China and Land Rover is a driving force in continuing to increase the sport’s popularity. We are therefore delighted to launch the Land Rover China Youth Rugby Development Programme to further champion rugby’s values of team work, responsibility, discipline and respect. Our aim is to improve the athletic ability and physical fitness of Chinese children, cultivate their passion for sports, and help them develop a positive attitude towards life through rugby.”
Rugby versus Kung Fu
The first stop for the Webb Ellis Cup in Shanghai was the beautiful art district of Tianzifang, for the DHL Rugby versus the World Challenge. In another unique encounter, rugby went up against the ancient martial art of Kung Fu. Former IRB Sevens Player of the Year Ollie Phillips took on the daunting challenge of facing Shaolin Master Zhang Yi, in a sporting spectacle like nothing seen before. The two competitors went head-to-head in an intense challenge to decide the ultimate sporting champion.
Jack O’Neill, Deputy Managing Director China, DHL —— Sinotrans International Air Courier Ltd, said, “We are proud to play a part in celebrating Rugby in China and introducing the sport to the young generation of the country. Rugby is a growing sport in China. We look forward to sharing the excitement of Rugby World Cup 2015 with fans, customers and employees.”
The Trophy Tour, which is the first time rugby’s most coveted prize has been showcased around the world, is being delivered in partnership with Land Rover and DHL —— two long supporters of the game and Rugby World Cup 2015 Worldwide Partners. The tour is visiting 15 countries over 12 months as part of a celebration of rugby in the lead up to Rugby World Cup 2015. Previous destinations have included Japan, Australia, Fiji, Madagascar, South Africa, Argentina, Uruguay, USA and the UAE.
Next year will see the Webb Ellis Cup visit the following locations as part of the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour: Italy, Romania, Canada, Germany and France.
