Taking on the world

Northumbria University will welcome the world in 2015 after celebrating the news that Rugby Union is coming home.

The University supported the bid to secure three prestigious Rugby World Cup 2015 fixtures for Tyneside.

Plans are in place to ensure Northumbria is at the heart of what promises to be one of the biggest sporting events the region has ever seen.

“Joining NewcastleGateshead Initiative to mark Newcastle’s success in achieving host city status for the Rugby World Cup 2015 was a proud moment for Northumbria University,” said Lucy Winskell, Pro Vice-Chancellor - Business and Engagement at Northumbria University.

“We have a Rugby Union team that competes at the highest level of student rugby and enjoys a great relationship with the Newcastle Falcons and the Northumberland Rugby Union.

“With our very own £30m Sport Central arena on campus, Northumbria University is gearing up to celebrate 2015 with a wide range of world-class sporting opportunities for our students, staff and partners to enjoy.”

Sarah Stewart, Chief Executive of NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI), said: “We worked alongside Newcastle City Council, Newcastle United Football Club and local partners in pulling together a successful bid.

“We would like to acknowledge the support provided by so many of our partners for the bid.

“Indeed, the strength and success of the bid was in no small part due to the fantastic support and collaboration of a wide range of partners, including Northumbria.”

Newcastle United’s St James’s Park will host three fixtures in October 2015 and welcome the New Zealand All Blacks, South Africa, Samoa and Tonga to Tyneside.

Minister for Sport & Tourism, Hugh Robertson, is delighted to see the North East playing a full part in the 2015 Rugby World Cup.He added: “Hosting the event will provide us with a great tourism opportunity to showcase fantastic destinations across the country. We look forward to giving a warm welcome to rugby fans from across the world.”

Date posted: May 10, 2013