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2014 Women's Rugby World Cup
The International Rugby Board has announced that France will host Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014. The showcase international tournament for Women’s Rugby will be staged in Paris and will build on the record-breaking 2010 tournament in England.
The IRB Council selected the Fédération Française de Rugby (FFR) as the Host Union following a recommendation from the Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) Board to approve a tender that clearly demonstrated a commitment to delivering a world class environment for teams and fans and a platform to grow Women’s Rugby in France and throughout the world.
“Women’s Rugby World Cup is the premier event in Women’s Fifteens Rugby and since its inception in 1991 has provided the impetus for the global growth of the Women’s Game,” said RWCL Chairman Bernard Lapasset speaking at the announcement today in Versailles, Paris.
“In awarding the seventh Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 to the FFR, we felt that the tournament would be ideally positioned to capitalise on the phenomenal success of Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010 and elevate the Women’s Game to new heights.”
“The Fédération Française de Rugby has considerable experience of hosting major international Rugby tournaments, including highlighted by the success of Rugby World Cup 2007. , and wWith world-class facilities, strong tournament management and infrastructure and an extensive and enthusiastic support base for Women’s Rugby, it is perfectly positioned to host a memorable and ultimately successful Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014.”
“The IRB is committed to driving the development and global growth of the Game in order that more nations can compete regularly at the very top level and more women and girls can participate and enjoy the sport. Working with the IRB, the FFR will deliver a tournament that will leave a lasting development infrastructure that will further promote the growth of the Women’s Game,” added Lapasset.
“The Fédération Française de Rugby is very proud and pleased to have been chosen to host Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014. Hosting the world’s premier Women’s Rugby event is an exciting opportunity to support the growing success of the Game in France,” said FFR President Pierre Camou speaking at the announcement.
“With 10,600 registered female players in 2011, the Women’s Game has experienced continuous growth and it is the FFR objective to develop this even more. This decision by the IRB also recognises the FFR and our country’s capacity to organise international events, which is a very significant compliment. For this reason, I would like to thank and congratulate all the FFR teams for their excellent contribution to our hosting application.” Details regarding the global qualification process for Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 will be announced later this year with qualifying expected to kick-off in 2012. 2013 Junior World Championships
The International Rugby Board has announced that France has been awarded the right to host the IRB Junior World Championship in 2013.
The announcement is a further boost to Rugby’s premier age grade event and comes just five days after New Zealand defeated England in a pulsating final of a record-breaking 2011 Championship in Italy.
The Championship captured the hearts and minds of the Italian public with capacity crowds turning out to watch 30 matches that pitted the world's best players at Under 20 level against international opposition in a competition that is a proven springboard to the Test arena.
With the IRB Junior World Championship 2012 taking place in South Africa, the awarding of the 2013 event to France underlines the IRB’s commitment to a long-term hosting strategy which enables the Host Union to maximise event and legacy benefits geared towards delivering a world class Championship and boosting participation.
IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset made the announcement at a special media launch at Versailles attended by stars of the Game past, present and future.
“The International Rugby Board is delighted to be awarding France the right to host the IRB Junior World Championship in 2013,” said Lapasset.
“The Fédération Française de Rugby, with its considerable major event hosting experience, is perfectly positioned to not only deliver an outstanding showcase for the future stars of world Rugby, but also a platform for Rugby to continue to reach out to new audiences and participants across France.”
“With France also having been awarded Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014, this announcement underlines the appetite for hosting major international Rugby events following the tremendous success of Rugby World Cup 2007. I am sure that both events will be tremendously successful.”
FFR President Pierre Camou added: “The Fédération Française de Rugby is proud to have been selected to host the IRB Junior World Championship in 2013. We have two years to deliver an outstanding event that will provide magnificent competition and a base from which to attract more young participants to Rugby in France. We are also proud that the IRB has shown confidence in our capacity to take up the challenge of hosting major international events.”
Since the IRB Junior World Championship began in 2008 almost 100 players have progressed to win full Test caps for their countries, underscoring its significant development role. Many of the players on show in Italy look set to follow the likes of Mathieu Bastareaud, Benjamin Fall and Wencelas Lauret for France, and other graduates including David Pocock, Patrick Lambie, Courtney Lawes and Zac Guildford to Test stardom.
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