Northumbria welcomes iconic Web Ellis trophy ahead of Rugby World Cup

Northumbria University welcomed the iconic Web Ellis Cup on its tour of the UK as part of its countdown to becoming a team training base for the Rugby World Cup 2015.

The prestigious trophy was showcased in the University’s Great Hall during its 100 day tour around the UK and Ireland. It spent 5 days in the region visiting some of the North East’s best known landmarks, including Hadrian’s Wall and Durham Cathedral.

Guests had the opportunity to take photographs with the trophy and participate in Q&A sessions with some of the University’s current players and sporting alumni.

Caity Mattinson – an Applied Sport and Exercise student who is current Women’s 1st Captain and England U20s scrum-half – was on hand to answer questions alongside Leadership and Management student and England Students’ player Alex Westgarth. The pair were joined by Sport Studies graduate David Davies, former Managing Director of Edinburgh Rugby.

Northumbria University is looking forward to acting as the UK training base for the Tongan national team while they are in the country to participate in the Rugby World Cup this autumn.

Tournament organisers England Rugby 2015 searched the nation for the very best training facilities, sports clubs, hotels and universities to provide 20 teams with a place to stay and train during the tournament. With three games being held at St James’ Park in Newcastle, they were keen to have high-quality bases in the North East.

The Tongan’s will use Northumbria’s outdoor grass pitches at Bullocksteads and the indoor training hall, fitness facilities and swimming pool at Sport Central as they prepare for their match against former World Champions New Zealand in the second of three fixtures at St James’ Park on Friday 9 October.

Northumbria has been delivering sport degrees for over 30 years. The University is rated among the best sport universities in the UK, with facilities ranked 5th in the UK according to the Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey.

Team Northumbria has held eighth position in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) National League table for the second year running.
If you’d like to get involved with any aspect of sport and the opportunities it can provide then come along to Sports Fair on 16 September and find out more.

Visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/sportsfair to book a place.
For more information about sport at Northumbria, visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/sport