Proud to be in The Pack

Rugby World Cup 2015 has recruited thousands of volunteers to welcome match-goers to the Tournament and help with essential tasks. More than 20,000 people applied to be part of “The Pack”. Only 6,000 spaces were available.

Two local Rugby followers found out recently they have been selected to be part of The Pack. Claire and Bill are passionate about Rugby and keen to be a part of the Brighton & Hove matches in September.

Claire

“My name is Claire, I work at the University of Brighton as the Sport Participation and Experience Manager and sport plays a pivotal role in my life.

“Rugby is a sport that I took up to fulfil a dare over 13 years ago and I was quickly captivated in my first training session. Rugby is a game like no other; it evokes a spirit of teamwork and fair play at all levels. Rugby clubs create a community for its members where players and supporters look out for each other on and off the pitch.

“Learning that the Rugby World Cup was coming to England and specifically to Brighton & Hove meant putting my name in the hat with 1000’s of other Rugby fans to try and secure a role volunteering for the sport I love. An application form was filled in, an interview was attended and then the wait was on to see if I was lucky enough to be chosen.

“I’ve been offered the role of Sports Presentation Field of Play Assistant. This means I will be working in a floor management capacity, supporting the operational production team in the match venue tunnel and around the perimeter of the pitch. I can’t wait!

“The only drawback to my role is that I will no longer be able to watch the games from the stands and my tickets will be donated to Rugby friends that weren’t lucky enough to get tickets in the initial ballot.”

Bill

“I am excited and delighted to be offered a place in The Pack, only one of 1250 volunteers nationwide to be recruited from the general public.

“The next part of my journey will be two one-day training sessions where I will meet with other volunteers from all over the south of England where I can look forward to sharing our expectations and challenges for the roles we have been appointed to.

Photo credit: www.snapitnow.co.uk

“Then to the event itself in September, when, as a member of the Spectator Services Team I will be meeting, greeting and guiding fans and supporters from the competing teams by providing them with the warmest of Brighton welcomes.

“Looking forward so much to the next few months and being part of a unique experience for our city.”

Findout more about how The Pack was selected in our previous blog entry

Motivational Maggie the Machine

Maggie Alphonsi MBE is passionate about Rugby and the transformational impact the sport has on her life.

Known as “Maggie the Machine” for the power she brings to her game, Maggie started out playing in a London school and rose through the ranks of Rugby to become World Champion this summer.  The England women’s team won the final of the seventh women's Rugby World Cup against Canada in Paris 21 - 9 on 17 August 2014.

After winning the Tournament, Maggie took on the role of Rugby World Cup 2015 Ambassador, along with Lawrence Dallaglio, Will Greenwood and Jonny Wilkinson. The four ambassadors will be sharing their sporting enthusiasm and making official Rugby World Cup announcements in the run up to the Tournament.

Maggie Alphonsi after her team's victory
(Photo credit: RFU archive)

Maggie said: “I visited Brighton’s football stadium at Two Years to Go until Rugby World Cup 2015. It’s an absolutely brilliant venue. Brighton has big games in the Tournament and it’s going to be amazing. The venue atmosphere of a football stadium is different and it will be good to see Rugby on the pitch. Also the Brighton people are the best, lots of fun and sure to enjoy it all.”

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Passionate about Rugby - Alice and Hannah

Local players: Hannah and Alice are on the right of the Webb Ellis Cup

Introducing Alice

"I originally returned to Rugby, having played 7’s at college, when I came back to Brighton after graduating from university. I have always found that joining a sports team is a great way to meet like-minded, friendly people and having heard good things about Hove WRFC, I decided I wanted to try and play championship level Rugby. 

"Rugby has always been one of my favourite sports to play as it is both challenging and physically demanding, whilst requiring the utmost level of teamwork from one to 15.  It is these attributes of Rugby that motivated me to return to the sport having undergone shoulder surgery to ensure I would keep playing from years to come! 

"I love the fact that you can learn something new at every training session, overcome different challenges during every game, and having recently moved from playing Centres to Fly-half, the learning-curve never ends.
  


"Hosting part of the Rugby World Cup 2015 in Brighton & Hove, not only means the chance for the local Rugby community to be able to advertise the sport and its popularity within the area, but also for the players to feel a part of the largest and most prestigious celebration of Rugby. Personally, having never been to the Brighton Community Stadium before, it is going to be amazing to see international Rugby played within my home town." 

Introducing Hannah

"My initial introduction to Rugby was through my big sister who has been a keen Rugby player for most of her life. From a young age I was all about football, right up until my early twenties when my sister finally persuaded me to attend a training session for her beloved team Hove RFC. Since then I haven’t looked back, I’ve played two seasons with Hove, numerous Rugby tournaments and also attended London & South East Academy. 

"Having RWC2015 come to Brighton & Hove is really exciting. Having been to the Brighton Community Stadium quite a few times to watch Brighton & Hove Albion play, it will be even better going to watch the sport that I now play and love. This is a great opportunity for rugby in Brighton & Hove and also gives people that may not already follow or play Rugby the opportunity to learn about Rugby altogether!

"Bring on RWC2015 in B&H!"