Bid to host Rugby World Cup 2015 teams moves to next stage

Tournament Organising Committee, England Rugby 2015 has confirmed Market Harborough meets the criteria to become a Team Base and will move through to the next phase of selection on the approved list, from which teams will select their bases for use in 2015.

The bid to host a team was submitted jointly by Harborough District Council and Market Harborough Rugby Club last year. It was followed by an assessment visit from England Rugby 2015.

A Team Base must include an indoor and outdoor training facility, a gym, an indoor swimming pool and a hotel.  These facilities must meet international team training standards and be located in close proximity of one another. Match Venue location has also been taken into account. England Rugby 2015 requires up to 50 bases for use during the tournament. These will be confirmed mid-2014 following completion of team visits and selection.

Work will continue with England Rugby 2015 in the hope that the town will be selected as host to one of the international teams coming to England for the tournament which commences in September 2015.

Cllr Blake Pain, Leader of Harborough District Council, said: “We are delighted to reach the next stage and pleased that our facilities meet the criteria. To host an international team at Rugby World Cup 2015 would be fantastic for the district and the town.”

Cllr Pain added: “We are in the fortunate position of being within an hour from three of the match venues and a direct train ride from the London venues so are perfectly placed to host a team. The Harborough bid is a community bid, and if we are fortunate enough to be selected as a host we will welcome the team to the district and make it a home from home.”