The 2015 Rugby World Cup in Leicester

Leicester-Shire & Rutland Sport 2015/16 Annual Review

The National Space Centre in Leicester seemed like the natural place to launch a 2015 Rugby World Cup ball into space, as part of a three day tour of the Webb Ellis Trophy around Leicestershire, Leicester and Rutland. The tour gave local people a chance to see the trophy, in addition to raising the profile of the 2015 Rugby World Cup tournament.

Leicester City Stadium hosted three matches during the tournament and welcomed teams and spectators from Argentina, Tonga, Canada, Romania and Namibia to the city.

The hugely successful 2015 Rugby World Cup Leicester Fanzone on Victoria Park opened its gates to over 23,700 spectators who watched the matches on a giant screen. The Fanzone also provided activities, entertainment, arts and crafts and stands promoting local rugby clubs. The Fanzone was staffed by a committed team of local volunteers recruited through a partnership between Voluntary Action Leicestershire, LRS and Leicester City Council Sport Services.

"It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience to volunteer at the Rugby World Cup. I manned information points, coordinated the rugby-based activities at the Fanzone and generally made sure people were having a good time. It was great fun." Rhys Douglas, Leicester Fanzone Volunteer