Emirates Gives Young Kiwis Chance to Fly the Flags at RWC

Emirates Gives Young Kiwis Chance to Fly the Flags at Rugby World Cup 2011™

Nearly 100 lucky young New Zealanders will get the chance to lead teams out onto the field during Rugby World Cup matches next year.

Rugby World Cup 2011™ Worldwide Partner and tournament sponsor Emirates Airline today announced a competition among secondary school-age rugby fans for representatives to carry out the national flags of the competing teams at rugby stadiums in 13 centres in New Zealand.

“This is a top chance for young Kiwis to be part of what will be an historical event, both in world terms and certainly in the New Zealand context,” said Emirates’ New Zealand manager, Chris Lethbridge.

“As part of its sponsorship, Emirates has the right to provide the flagbearers for the 20 teams. We considered this an ideal opportunity to involve aspiring players and fans locally, so, with the exception of a handful of occasions, the flagbearers for the 20 teams will be New Zealanders.

“The opportunity for them will include all the flagbearer spots for the quarter and semi-finals, play-off for third place, and the Final itself, as well as all of the pool matches.”

Full details of the competition will be released early in the coming school year, which begins in February, so that appropriate arrangements can be made with sufficient notice.

For the pool matches, the competition will be divided into regions, guaranteeing local provincial representation among the teams’ flagbearers.

Each lucky winner of a flagbearer position will receive tickets for two accompanying adults to attend the match at which they fly a flag.

“We feel it only fair that their parents or guardians can share in the honour,” said Mr Lethbridge.

A small number of flagbearer positions will be set aside during pool play for representatives from key rugby-playing nations, also chosen through offshore competitions.

Emirates was the first sponsor to sign up as a Worldwide Partner for Rugby World Cup 2011™, and has a strong affiliation with rugby, including:

• Principal partner of the Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009, which took place in Dubai at Emirates’ newly built sporting venue, ‘The Sevens.’ The tournament was shown in over 200 countries via 29 broadcasters.

• Sponsor of four IRB Sevens World Series events - in Dubai, South Africa, London and Edinburgh.

• Shirt sponsors of the England and Samoa sevens teams and the Western Force (Australia) Super 15 team. Official Airline of the USA national teams.

• Sponsors of the IRB referees and match officials.

ENDS

© Scoop Media