Monday 24 August 2015

The Pack is getting ready!

By Bill Hadgkiss

Last month I went to Twickenham, where I joined 130 other members of the Pack for a full training session in the St George's Suite situated under the East Stand.

It was a very informative morning session, interactive, as we worked in both small and larger groups to learn about and discuss the various skills we would use to give the spectators a truly memorable experience when attending Rugby World Cup 2015 matches. These skills were based around being Personal, Engaging and Proactive.

In the afternoon I joined up with other members of the Spectator Services Team to gain more about my role at Brighton which will include such activities as directing fans to the match or Fanzone from a transport hub, or city centre, assisting at the stadium by helping to prepare fans for security screening and bag search areas and directing them to the appropriate entrances to the stadium.  

Bill at the Twickenham training session
Inside the stadium, fans will be welcomed by volunteers and assistance will be given in finding seats. We also learned how to react to lost property, missing children and such requests as refreshment and toilet facilities.

Being at Twickenham for the day was a memorable experience, and everyone involved in the training is 100 per cent committed to providing the best possible experience for the spectators. I am convinced myself and other Pack members are ready to do Brighton & Hove proud!

Tuesday 11 August 2015

Almost Tournament time!

It is not long now until the first match of Rugby World Cup 2015 at Twickenham on Friday 18 September.

Brighton & Hove is gearing up for the first weekend of the Tournament when two matches will be played at the Brighton Community Stadium.
  • Saturday 19 September: 4.45pm South Africa v Japan (Pool B)
  • Sunday 20 September: 12 Noon Samoa v USA (Pool B)
Preparations are underway to celebrate Rugby in the city as we help kick off RWC 2015. Residents and visiting fans will soon be heading to the stadium to enjoy the matches or soak up the Tournament atmosphere at the official Fanzone on Brighton beach. Everyone will be able to enjoy the experience of the only seaside venue of the Tournament.

The visiting teams with bases in Brighton & Hove, Japan and Samoa, will be greeted with Welcome Ceremonies when they arrive in the city. At the 100 days to go milestone, we shared how Westdene Primary School, in Brighton, is going to be part of the Welcome Ceremony for the Japanese team exactly one month from today.

The boys have been practicing with their dedicated teacher and shared one of the rehearsals recently so we could see how they are getting on. The Welcome Ceremonies taking place in Brighton & Hove will happen one month from today, on September 11.

Find out more about how the boys are getting on and hear their rehearsals at https://youtu.be/gEhK-3JW3wE