g, t2 +GDINBVRGH+ THE CITY OF COUNCIL 2003 and Future Rugby Events in Edinburgh

The City of Edinburgh Council

18 March 2004

Purpose of report

1 To report to the Council on the visit by the Lord Provost and Councillor Henderson to Sydney for the and to recommend that preparations begin for Edinburgh’s involvement in the World Cup in 2007. The report also advises of a request by Scottish Rugby for the Council to be represented on an events working group looking at rugby events generally.

Main report

2 Following an invitation to the Lord Provost from the Federation FranCaise de Rugby to visit Sydney as its guest, the Executive of the Council approved her attendance and that of Councillor Henderson, as Executive Member for Sport, Culture and Leisure.

3 In accordance with the agreed Council procedure relating to overseas visits, Councillor Henderson has prepared the report at Appendix 1, which details the programme of events during the visit to Sydney.

4 Edinburgh will play an important part in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, which is to be hosted by the Federation Franqaise de Rugby. In addition to pool games played in the French cities of , , , , , , , Saint-Etienne and Lens, three of the games will be played at Murrayfield during September of that year and is likely to feature in two of these games. Pool matches will also be played in and Dublin. 5 The staging of these games will further emphasise the role of Edinburgh as Scotland’s capital city and a focus for major events. The Scottish has always enjoyed a close relationship with the Council and there is considerable scope for the organisations to work even more closely together to ensure that the maximum benefit is derived. 6 As stated in Councillor Henderson’s report, it is expected that proposals will be received in the next few months from the Federation Franqaise de Rugby and he notes the potential to stage at least one outdoor event to coincide with the matches being played at Murrayfield.

1 7 Against the background of the Council’s commitment to sport generally and its bid to sportscotland for funding for the development of facilities at Sighthill Park and Hunter’s Hall Park, the Rugby World Cup will present an exciting opportunity to showcase Edinburgh as a significant player on the world stage for sporting and other events. Close working between the Council and its partners will, of course, be essential in maximising the benefits for the city and the Council will wish to stress its commitment to the process. The involvement of the Scottish Executive, EventScotland and Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian in the hosting of the MTV European Awards in November 2003 in Edinburgh has provided a wealth of useful experience to build on for the Rugby World Cup 2007 and the forthcoming Under 21 Rugby World Cup in Edinburgh, Glasgow and the Borders in June this year will also assist in this regard. 8 Following the successful visit by the Lord Provost and Councillor Henderson to Australia last November and a subsequent meeting with Councillor Henderson to discuss the opportunities for Scottish Rugby to work closely with the Council in the promotion and hosting of rugby events in Scotland, Scottish Rugby has now written, requesting that the Council appoint a representative to sit on an events working group.

9 The purpose of this working group will be:

to identify how the Council and Scottish Rugby can exploit mutual opportunities around existing events such as the Six Nations tournament; and

to work with EventScotland, the Council and other public bodies to bid for major events in Scotland such as the Heineken Cup Final.

10 The key rugby events which will or may be held in Scotland over the next decade are:

0 Six Nations (2/3 matches per annum - Spring); Autumn Tests (3 per annum - Autumn); 0 International Rugby Board (IRB) Under 21 World Cup (June 2004); 0 Heineken Cup Final (next available final - May 2005); 0 IRB Rugby World Cup 2007 (3 pool matches at Murrayfield); and IRB Rugby World Cup 2015 (hostko-host of event).

11 In view of the importance of such events to the Edinburgh economy and the opportunity which they provide for promotion of the city, it is recommended that the Council should support this initiative by Scottish Rugby to establish an events working group. I shall arrange for appropriate officer input from the Council.

12 I intend to report in the near future on the establishment of an Events Unit within the Council to address one of the outstanding issues from the Festivals Strategy and the Events Strategy which recommended the adoption of a “one-stop-shop” approach towards the management, development and co-ordination 2 of events. Such an Events Unit would be the appropriate link for Scottish Rugby’s events working group.

Financial implications

13 All costs from Paris of the visit by the Lord Provost and Councillor Henderson to Australia were met by the FFR.

14 Any financial implications resulting from the rugby events referred to in paragraph 10 above will be reported to the Council as and when they become known.

Recommendations

15 The Council is recommended to:

note Councillor Henderson’s report on the visit to the Rugby World Cup 2003 in Australia;

0 note that the Council may be asked to provide support arrangements for the pool matches to be played in Edinburgh for the Rugby World Cup 2007 and that I shall report back on these once any proposals have been received; and

0 support in principal the initiative by Scottish Rugby to establish an events working group and agree that I should identify an appropriate officer to represent the Council on the working group. 0”&53+ Tom Aitchison Chief Executive

Appendices Appendix 1 Report by Councillor Henderson

Contactltel Tom Aitchison 469 3002

Wards affected

Background Papers

3 Appendix 1

Rugby World Cup, Sydney, Australia - November 2003

Background

1 The Lord Provost received an invitation from the Federation FranGaise de Rugby (FFR) to visit Sydney as its guest as part of the hand over and build up towards the Rugby World Cup 2007, which is to be hosted by . As part of the successful bid to host the 2007 event, pool matches will also be held in Scotland (Edinburgh), Wales (Cardiff) and Ireland (Dublin), as well as in the French cities of Paris, Nantes, , Bordeaux, Toulouse, Montpellier, Marseilles, Saint-Etienne and Lens. Three pool games will be held at Murrayfield between 7 and 29 September 2007 and it is expected that Scotland will feature in two of these games.

2 As part of the hand over and formal launch of the 2007 Rugby World Cup, two representatives from each of the host cities were invited to accompany the FFR delegation to Australia. The Council Executive agreed that the Lord Provost and I should attend on behalf of the Council. The Lord Mayors of Dublin and Cardiff, Mayors of the French cities and French Government representatives were also present. The visit was supported by Air France and the Accor Hotel Group.

Report

3 A number of events and meetings were arranged as follows: a formal lunch on arrival to meet sponsors and key officials; an evening presentation on the stadia to be used in 2007; a reception at the residence of the French Ambassador in Sydney; and the formal launch of the 2007 Rugby World Cup.

4 A briefing took place at the offices of the New South Wales Government, when general information was provided regarding the support, promotion and staging of the Rugby World Cup 2003 games taking place in New South Wales (19 in total including the semi-finals and final). The briefing was followed by a press conference, featuring the premier of New South Wales, Bob Hawke. The Lord Provost also participated in the press conference, being interviewed by radio and television.

5 The Regional Government of New South Wales took a prominent and leading role in the support and promotion of the tournament, investing $Aus Gmillion.

4 6 The local authority role focused mainly on city dressing, environmental services (street cleansing), public transport, policing, floral displays and support for staging outdoor live events, in conjunction with major matches. The live events were seen as an integral part not only of promoting the World Cup and rugby in general but also generating a sense of enthusiasm and ownership among the local community in all the cities where matches were held.

7 The events normally consisted of street party type enclosures with bars, big screens for viewing the game and live entertainment before and after the match. These were judged to be very popular and successful, generating a positive, lively atmosphere and very little trouble. a The FFR is keen to emulate this level of involvement, sense of community ownership and success.

9 The visiting delegation attended two matches: the third/fourth play-off between France and New Zealand and the final between England and Australia. Both matches were played at the Telstra stadium, which is part of the Olympics 2000 complex, with excellent facilities on site and good public transport links to the city centre through a dedicated rail station on site. There was also another “live” site at the stadium for fans who did not have tickets, adding to the carnival atmosphere.

10 A number of useful contacts were made, including senior officials from the FFR, SRU, Air France, Accor Hotels and the Lord Mayors of Dublin and Cardiff.

Next Steps

11 It is expected that proposals for preparation and other arrangements for the games to be held in Edinburgh will be received in the next few months from the FFR.

Financial Implications

12 The financial implications are not clear at this stage and will be difficult to quantify, until firm proposals are received. Further work will be required to calculate what, if any, contribution will be required from the Council.

13 It is likely that the FFR will be expecting the Rugby World Cup 2007 to be widely promoted throughout the host cities. Clearly there is potential to stage at least one outdoor event in Edinburgh to coincide with matches being held at Murrayfield. Roseburn Park and the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens could be considered as possible venues.

Councillor Ricky Henderson November 2003 5