THE BICENTENARY of rugby is expected to give the town’s tourism a boost.
Warwickshire’s tourism board, Shakespeare’s England, says Rugby School’s year-long programme of events to mark the sporting milestone will be attended and watched by over 40,000 people from around the world.
The board invited Mark Pawsey MP to the school during English Tourism Week, where he met with the captains from Rugby School’s First XV teams, Dave Bennett and Livi Williams, and the school’s Executive Head Master Peter Green, to find out more about the events.
Peter said: “The next few months promise to be very exciting, with various sporting spectacles planned including a number of rugby festivals for younger pupils at schools from across the region, an attempt at the world record for the largest uncontested rugby scrum, and a day of rugby involving local teams.
“Anyone can attend, bringing new visitors to the town to explore more about the heritage of the game of rugby, and to see what Rugby town has to offer.
“It’s fantastic to see Mark here warming up with our first XV girls and boys team captains. I wonder if he’s getting prepared for the Lords and Commons vs Rugby District Veterans game taking place here on April 16!”
Mr Pawsey said: “The bicentenary of the game is an historic opportunity to really highlight Rugby’s tourism offer and celebrate the history of rugby locally, nationally, and internationally.
“I’m particularly looking forward to the game we have arranged in April between the Commons and Lords Rugby Team and a team of veterans from local clubs.”
Darren Tosh from Shakespeare’s England said: “Rugby union’s bicentenary presents a unique opportunity for Rugby School – and the town – to shout about its historical links to the game and attract visitors that are on its doorstep and from further afield.
“It was fantastic to reinforce how important Rugby School’s programme of events and other destinations are to the local tourism industry, and the region’s economy as we gear up for the peak summer season.”
