NorthumberlandNorthumberland andand thethe 20152015 RugbyRugby WorldWorld CupCup Northumberland, a County like all other Counties? WithNorthumberland, landscapes from a CountyTyneside's like all otherheavy Counties? industry to the sweeping beaches of the North Sea �� NORTHUMBERLAND RUGBY UNION coastWith to landscapes the rolling from moors Tyneside of the ’Cheviots heavy industrHills. Landscapesy to the sweeping just like beaches other And Counties?of the North Not Seaquite! coast to the rolling moors of the Cheviot Hills. THE 2015 RUGBY WORLD CUP Landscapes just like other Counties? Not quite! From our industrial heritage comes the first steam engine, ‘Puffing Billy’ at Wylam Colliery; From our industrial heritage comes the first steam engine, ‘Puffing Billy’ at Wylam Colliery; the first home lit up through hyrdo-electric power, Cragside House (the former home of Foreword from Jonny Wilkinson: the first home lit up through hyrdo-electric power, Cragside House (the former home of Lord Armstrong, the inventor of breech-loading guns, so vital in the battles of the First Lord Armstrong, the inventor of breech-loading guns, so vital in the battles of the First World War) and the first dual-shaft coal mines (introduced following the tragic disaster at World War) and the first dual-shaft coal mines (introduced following the tragic disaster at For me rugby is the ultimate example of team sport. New Hartley Colliery in 1862). New Hartley Colliery in 1862). Every player must work, run hard, get up and go again. Every player The imposing presence of Alnwick Castle which helped make the Harry Potter films so needs the skills to catch and pass and everyone has to tackle, even if The imposing presence of Alnwick Castle which helped make the Harry Potter films so some seem to relish that particular part more than others. famous, that ‘tree’ on the Roman Wall that Kevin Costner managed to get to from Dover in famous, that ‘tree’ on the Roman Wall that Kevin Costner managed to get to from Dover in less than a day in his role as Robin Hood! The world renowned Craster Kippers, our famous less than a day in his role as Robin Hood! The world renowned Craster Kippers, our famous However, every position has a unique role to play in the team, without Stottie Cakes, our incomparable Lindisfarne Mead. No, Northumberland is not quite just a Stottie Cakes, our incomparable Lindisfarne Mead. No, Northumberland is not quite just a which nothing would work. This means that everyone counts and that County like all others. all members are equally important. That goes for the supporters too. County like all others. It’s all just one big team working together. We like to think that that also applies to our approach to Rugby, from ‘grass-roots’ to We like to think that that also applies to our approach to Rugby, from ‘grass-roots’ to I began my professional career as a teenager with Newcastle Falcons PremierPremier League. League. Which Which other other County County has has a a rugby rugby club club basedbased withinwithin its boundaries but but plays plays and I learned very quickly just how important this incredible spirit was in thein the Scottish Scottish Leagues? Leagues? Which Which other other County County can can proudly proudly statestate thatthat every gamegame atat seni senioror to the players and spectators alike. ageage level level is officiatedis officiated by by a aqualified qualified Society Society Referee Referee (including (including one we have occasionallyoccasionally lent lent Being surrounded by such selfless, positive people on and off the field to theto the IR BIRB, Now , now World World Rugby Rugby)?)? Well, Well, wewe can!can! was the most amazing way to perform my apprenticeship. The lessons Northumberland Rugby Union has an outstanding record for innovation and effective I received during my 13 year journey at the Falcons have been and Northumberland Rugby Union has an outstanding record for innovation and effective continue to serve as the backbone of my success and my life since. management.management. The The Rugby Rugby Development Development Plan Plan has has been been praised praised byby the Rugby FootballFootball Union Union andand Sport Sport England England as as a modela model of of its its kind kind and and has has won won majormajor awardsawards for initiativeinitiative and and Up in the beautiful North East, surrounded by characterful towns and beautiful countryside, clubs like originality.originality. The The plan plan supports supports clubs clubs in in the the development development ofof mini,mini, youth and seniorsenior sides sides by by Tynedale, Morpeth, Alnwick and Percy Park- to name a few of many- continue to illustrate these providingproviding coaching coaching for for players, players, support support of of the the administrative administrative volunteersvolunteers andand financialfinancial and and brilliant values on a daily basis. Rugby fans and players of all ages, coaches, medical staff and back room welfare awareness training where required. staff are all getting together to encourage each other and give everything they possibly can to make it a welfare awareness training where required. little bit easier for the person next to them to be the best they can possibly be. WeWe are are also also aware aware that that we we are are just just like like other other counties counties andand countriescountries in one respect.respect. We We It is the perfect recipe for inspiring teamwork and it is how the guys up this way go about their business. It is dependdepend on on the the enthusiasm enthusiasm and and skills skills of of numerous numerous volunteers volunteers toto help deliver allall thethe also the big secret to winning, understood by the very best teams; teams like 2007 World Cup winners elementselements that that help help make make Rugby Rugby so so enjoyable. enjoyable. From From the the ClubClub levellevel to County levellevel to to South Africa and reigning World Cup 2011 champions New Zealand, both of whom will be gracing the Park NationalNational level, level, without without real real people people doing doing real real things things there there wouldwould be no game asas wewe know know it. it. hallowed St. James’ turf during the pool stages. Let us not forget that our nearest neighbours Scotland will be there too, playing the games of their lives. VisitVisit the the Northumberland Northumberland Rugby Rugby Union Union web web-site:-site: www.northumberlandrugbyunion.com www.northumberlandrugbyunion.com So if you feel like experiencing rugby at the very, very highest level in the biggest tournament of all, then come and get close to these ultimate athletes. If you want to be part of our team and breathe in some life- changing energy, then join the fans up here and if you want to know what real passion feels like, then don’t miss this opportunity. Jonny Northumberland, a County like all other Counties? ALNWICK RFC With landscapes from Tyneside's heavy industry to the sweeping beaches of the North Sea �� coast to the rolling moors of the Cheviot Hills. Landscapes just like other Counties? Not quite! From our industrial heritage comes the first steam engine, ‘Puffing Billy’ at Wylam Colliery; the first home lit up through hyrdo-electric power, Cragside House (the former home of Contact details: Our RWC 2015 Activities LordA Message Armstrong, from the the inventor Northumberland of breech-loading Rugby guns, Union so vital President: in the battles of the First Clubhouse, Greensfield, Alnwick World War) and the first dual-shaft coal mines (introduced following the tragic disaster at NE66 1BG, 01665 602342 To televise games on our giant screen in a convivial atmosphere with food and beverages available. All NewDear Hartley Rugby Supporter,Colliery in 1862). www.pitchero.com/clubs/alnwick www.facebook.com/pages/alnwick- visitors will be made very welcome to share the rugby I am delighted to extend to you a very warm welcome to Northumberland, as you follow your rugby-club experience. The imposing presence of Alnwick Castle which helped make the Harry Potter films so national team in RWC 2015 in the North of England. I hope you find time to enjoy the Contacts: Brian Lamb 01665 603023, To host club members, guests and visitors at various famous,hospitability that offered ‘tree’ on by theour Romanrugby clubs, Wall thethat opportunities Kevin Costner available managed in the to cityget toand from our towns,Dover in 07503726001 themed events held during the RWC. Full details will lessand than to visit a daythe beautifulin his role countryside. as Robin Hood! The world renowned Craster Kippers, our famous Dennis Hetherington 01665 604227 become available on the website and facebook. Stottie Cakes, our incomparable Lindisfarne Mead. No, Northumberland is not quite just a 07990718660 To run an 8 a-side mixed World Cup tag tournament CountyWith many like ofall you others. boarding in the city, following the camaraderie of the match days I would inclusive of all ages and abilities with each group being designated a RWC team. encourage you to visit the rolling hills, sample the coastal walks and the miles of beaches that our county has to offer. The autumn colours enhance the landscape. Our facilities: To host a RWC schools’ festival in conjunction with We like to think that that also applies to our approach to Rugby, from ‘grass-roots’ to A large bar and lounge for up to 150 the RDO. PremierMany of League.our rugby Which clubs other have developedCounty has entertainment a rugby club programmesbased within around its boundaries the match but days plays people; inthat the would Scottish be att Leagues?ractive to Which both individuals other County and canfamilies. proudly The state themes that reflect every the game nationalities at senior Smaller bar for up to 30 people; agerepresented level is officiated and I would by arecommend qualified Society you to goReferee along.