The three trophies will be on University Square tomorrow morning
The three Rugby League World Cup trophies will be visiting Preston tomorrow, 30 March, as part of the host cities trophy tour, to mark 200 days to go until the tournament begins.
The trophies will arrive at the University of Central Lancashire’s (UCLan) University Square at 9.15am, where they will be greeted by the UCLan’s men’s rugby league team, UCLan’s cheerleaders, and a number of local Preston schools’ rugby teams and Preston College’s dance troop.
Preston is hosting the Men’s Welsh Rugby Team for the Rugby League World Cup 2021 (RLWC2021) in Autumn 2022. The tournament will see England welcome world-class athletes performing on rugby league’s biggest stage, and the city is proud to play such an important role.
Excitingly, the Rugby League World Cup 2021 will be one of the most inclusive and diverse sporting events ever hosted in England, promoting the three simultaneous disciplines of the men’s, women’s and wheelchair competitions.
"As the excitement builds for the return of the Rugby League World Cup on home soil, we’re delighted to be welcoming the world-famous trophies to our new University Square"
— Professor Graham Baldwin, UCLan Vice-Chancellor
Mayor of Preston, Councillor Javed Iqbal said: “We are excited to host the RLWC trophies as they tour across the host cities to celebrate 200 days to go. We are incredibly proud to be a host city for a Rugby League World Cup 2021 training camp, which will take place later this year. Preston is perfectly located for fans and teams to access game locations across England, and has a proven track record with hosting international teams, thanks to the University of Central Lancashire’s state of the art facilities.
“This is a great opportunity for Prestonians to get a photo with the trophies and embrace our role in the Rugby League World Cup!”
Professor Graham Baldwin, UCLan Vice-Chancellor, commented: “As the excitement builds for the return of the Rugby League World Cup on home soil, we’re delighted to be welcoming the world-famous trophies to our new University Square. We can’t wait to welcome the men’s Welsh rugby league team to our fantastic facilities at our Sports Arena.”
Ryan Allen, Rugby League Development Officer for Preston North End Community and Education Trust [PNECET], said: “We are really excited for the three Rugby League World Cup trophies to be visiting Preston, which will be an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of some of our participants who have accessed rugby league provision through PNECET.
"After a challenging couple of years for everyone, it is hugely exciting to be able to take our three unique trophies to each host partner"
— Jon Dutton, Chief Executive of RLWC2021
“We will invite girls from St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, winners of our International Women’s Day primary school Rugby League tournament, Preston College students who have been attending the college’s first ever rugby league club with us for the past six months, and members of our local rugby league club, Preston and South Ribble Rabbitohs, to come down and see the trophies with their own eyes to inspire them to remain involved in the sport.
“Our provision continues to drive participation and interest in rugby league among all age groups through the power and appeal of the football club. We look forward to continuing our work – alongside Preston City Council, UCLan and the RFL – to leave a lasting legacy of Rugby League in Preston and our surrounding communities.”
Jon Dutton, Chief Executive of RLWC2021, said: “After a challenging couple of years for everyone, it is hugely exciting to be able to take our three unique trophies to each host partner as they put on their own celebration and make a ‘Real Impact’ in their local community.
“The road to RLWC2021 starts now and with this limited ticket offer and exciting new campaign being released, we hope to encourage fans far and wide be involved in the biggest, best and most inclusive Rugby League World ever to be staged.”