|
The All Blacks will take on Ireland at Stadium Taranaki on 12 June 2010.
The match, supported by Venture Taranaki through the New Plymouth District’s Major Events Fund, will be the first opportunity to showcase the upgraded stadium ahead of its three Rugby World Cup 2011 matches.
“This is a great outcome for the unique Team Taranaki approach to bidding to host major international events in the region,” said Venture Taranaki Chief Executive Stuart Trundle.
Team Taranaki, comprising Venture Taranaki, the three district and regional councils, Sport Taranaki and the Taranaki Rugby Football Union, have been behind securing other major events for the region including the 2009 University Games.
“We’re demonstrating the way Taranaki does business: a unique, collaborative and successful approach that knows no boundaries.”
The announcement comes only weeks after a report into the state of rugby in Taranaki, undertaken by Venture Taranaki in partnership with the Taranaki Rugby Football Union, was released by Prime Minister John Key.
“The report found that rugby is worth $7.4 million to Taranaki’s GDP, employs the equivalent of 135 people and involves more than 5 percent of our population,”
“The real value of that report, was the finding that the sport of rugby is indelibly linked to our regional pride and productivity.”
“Hosting an All Blacks game of this magnitude sends a strong statement for the region’s efforts towards its three major matches as part of the Rugby World Cup 2011,” Stuart said.
In May 2009’s Rugby World Magazine Stadium Taranaki was judged the third best rugby venue in the world – the only New Zealand venue to make the top 10. The award further recognised the region’s passion for the game and the venue’s role as a spiritual home of rugby with Mt Taranaki visible in the background.
|
