Rugby League World Cup spot still a Ryedale aim (From Gazette & Herald)

Rugby League World Cup spot still a Ryedale aim

10:10am Wednesday 22nd February 2012 in Sport

RYEDALE might have missed out on being a country’s base for the 2013 Rugby League World Cup, but it might yet get to play a part in the tournament’s build-up.

As reported, a bid for Ampleforth College to host a team’s training base was unsuccessful, but the consortium received positive feedback and, on the back of that, are now hoping to become a venue for one of the Community World Cup tournaments.

The World Cup proper takes place in England and Wales in October and November 2013, but the Rugby Football League are also organising a number of Community Cups for Armed Forces, women, disability, student, and police teams in June and July next year.

And Ryedale District Council, working in partnership with Ampleforth Abbey Trading Limited and Nero Training Ltd, has expressed an interest to host matches and training facilities at Ampleforth for the Armed Forces and Police tournaments.

They expect to hear if the bid has been successful by the end of March.

Through a partnership arrangement with Nero Training Ltd, the Hawkhills, at Easingwold, has been offered as the proposed base camp.

Neil Willis and Ronnie Alexander, directors of Nero, were previously in the Armed Forces. Alexander also has links with rugby union as an ex-player at both Malton & Norton and the Royal Air Force representative team.

He said: “We are delighted to be involved with the bidding process as we can support the tournament by providing an exclusive base camp, pretournament fitness sessions, and team building programmes and activities.”

Coun James Fraser, Ryedale District Council’s champion for sport and physical recreation, said: “This is a great opportunity to showcase the quality of facilities we have in Ryedale and offer residents the opportunity to engage with the sport.”

Chris Chatten, Ryedale District Council’s community projects officer, said: “We welcome a second bite of the cherry in terms of hosting matches and training facilities as part of the Festival of Community World Cups.

“Ryedale has previously been an untapped area for development.

Securing the World Cup would help to accelerate the development of the sport in this area and give residents from across York and North Yorkshire the opportunity to engage with the tournament.”

Sean McFetrich, director of commercial operations at Ampleforth Abbey Trading Limited, said: “We are delighted to be given another opportunity to host international rugby league teams at our facilities.”

Julia Lee, the Rugby Football League’s Festival of World Cups event director, said: “Ryedale and Ampleforth submitted an outstanding bid to host a training venue for the Rugby League World Cup 2013 and a very difficult decision was made in the face of stiff competition.

“The fact they are still so committed to being part of what we believe will be the best Rugby League World Cup ever is fantastic.”

Residents can show their support for the bid by ‘liking’ the Ryedale Bid RLWC 2013 on Facebook.