The Rugby World Cup 2015 Volunteer Programme, known as 'The
Pack', has been launched.
'The Pack', made up of 6,000 volunteers, will be the faces of
the tournament, helping to deliver Rugby World Cup 2015 across
England and in Cardiff. In line with the vision for Rugby
World Cup 2015, 'The Pack' will have rugby at heart, recruiting 75%
of the volunteers from rugby clubs in England and Wales (and the
Channel Islands).
In addition, 'The Pack' will bring 1,500 potential new volunteers
into rugby through a national campaign, with the aim of retaining
them beyond 2015 as part the tournament's legacy.
Volunteers will play a key role in the delivery of the six week
tournament with a range of roles including transport, meet and
greet, accreditation and way-finding which will all vary in
duration.
Recruitment will begin on March 17 through an online application
process that will be open until April 17. Over 2,000 RFU and WRU
clubs (including Jersey RFC) will nominate between one or two of
their members to join 'The Pack', and take part in selection events
('Try Outs') across England and in Cardiff throughout 2014. Details
of the Jersey RFC recruitment process for volunteers will be
published in the build-up to March 17.
Members of the general public can register their interest in
joining 'The Pack' from today at www.Rugbyworldcup.com/volunteers and
details will be sent directly to all those signed up to The Front
Row - the official newsletter for Rugby World Cup 2015 (www.Rugbyworldcup.com/frontrow).
The application process will be open for one month between March 17
and April 17, followed by 'Try Outs' from June-December, with
successful members of 'The Pack' confirmed in early 2015.
Chief Executive of the England 2015 Organising Committee, Debbie
Jevans, said: "'The Pack' will play a big role in the delivery of
Rugby World Cup 2015, welcoming the world to England, Cardiff, and
to the game of rugby. True to our vision, rugby is at the heart of
our volunteer programme and we will recruit 75% of the 6,000
volunteer members of the 'The Pack' from rugby clubs in England and
Wales, working with the RFU and WRU. This is a great opportunity to
recognise those who support the game week in week out in their club
and community.
"In addition we want to bring new people into rugby and will run a
national campaign searching for 1,500 volunteers to join 'The Pack'
with the aim of keeping them involved in the game beyond
2015.
"Members of 'The Pack' will help us to provide the teams and fans
with a fantastic experience in 2015 and we look forward to opening
the application process in March."
England 2015 Ambassador and World Cup winner, Jonny Wilkinson,
said: "Throughout my career I have seen the vital role that
volunteers play in the running of rugby clubs at all levels.
Whether it's helping with club administration, coaching, cleaning
kit, driving teams across the country or stewarding on match days,
these are the people who allow the game to thrive. It is great to
recognise the rugby community through the volunteer programme for
Rugby World Cup 2015, and also use this as an opportunity to get
more people involved in the game."
Minister for Sport, Helen Grant MP, said: "Volunteers are the
unsung heroes in community sport who ensure that rugby takes place
up and down the country at the grassroots. It is great that many
people from local rugby clubs will get the chance to volunteer at
the biggest tournament in the game, as well as there being spaces
for people new to the sport to be part of 'The Pack.' I know
all those that are selected will do a fantastic job welcoming both
the teams and fans from across the world."
Steve Grainger, RFU Rugby Development Director, added, "Volunteers
are a key part of rugby's unique heritage and culture and we rely
on them 365 days a year to run our clubs and constituent bodies,
referee our games, coach players and introduce people to our great
game in schools, colleges and universities. It is fantastic that
the involvement of these volunteers has been recognised in 'The
Pack' and I am sure they will add greatly to the atmosphere of the
tournament. Recruitment of volunteers from outside of the rugby
community also offers us a great chance to boost the numbers of
volunteers in our game. We'll be working hard to encourage and
support all applicants - successful and unsuccessful - to join the
rugby family and make our great game part of their lives."
Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) Chairman Bernard Lapasset also
reinforced the importance of a successful volunteer programme,
"Rugby is all about team work and the successful delivery of a
tournament of this scale could not be possible without a team of
dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers, delivering the full range of
services from transport, to welcoming supporters and teams, to
accreditation. England has a rich tradition of excellent volunteers
and being a superb host and 'The Pack' volunteers will have a key
role to play in ensuring a memorable experience for all who attend
England 2015."
NOTES
'The Pack' applicants must be 18 or over by April 1, 2015 and have
the necessary permissions to volunteer in the UK.
Details of the Jersey RFC recruitment process for volunteers will
be published in the build-up to March 17.
The Pack key dates:
March 17 2014: Applications open online
April 17 2014: Applications close
June - December 2014: 'Try Outs'(selection events) held
across England and in Cardiff
January 2015: Offers to join 'The Pack' commence
Q2/Q3 2015: 'The Pack' uniform launch, training and
mobilisation
