Building a Legacy for the Great Central Stand

TAKING A STAND: Former All Black Captain Andy Leslie is Chairing the Wellington Region’s Rugby World Cup Legacy Group.

With his own Rugby Club recently having celebrated its 125th anniversary, former All Black captain Andy Leslie knows about the legacy of Rugby.

The Rugby World Cup 2011 is the biggest sporting event New Zealand has seen and the experience is being meticulously planned to be second to none.

Corralling the Wellington Rugby clubs to host the thousands of players, officials and supporters, Leslie points out the game starts well before the players run onto the pitch, and it continues long after the Tournament’s Closing Ceremony.
As chair of the Wellington Rugby Football Union’s Rugby World Cup Legacy Group, he has seen the Great Central Stand programme grow to epic proportions since 2008.

The hospitality plan brings together the entire central region of New Zealand, hundreds of rugby clubs, thousands of hotels, tour companies and businesses and more than 1 million locals.

The central region will host 18 teams for anything from three nights to more than two weeks, the spectrum of supporters flowing through New Plymouth, Wanganui, Palmerston North, and the wider Wellington area will be diverse.

With many a rugby tour to his name as a player, official and host over the years, Leslie knows the different flavours of the central North Island will be a highlight for visitors following their teams.

“When the supporters come to town, it’s not just about the 15 guys playing for South Africa or Tonga – we make sure the 600 supporters get an experience of Wellington or whichever part of the country they are in.”

His own club, Petone Rugby Club, still gets return visitors from people and friends of people who enjoyed a beer and a Rugby welcome at the club during the 2005 British and Irish Lions Rugby tour of New Zealand.

The welcome mat is well worn, and as warm as ever in 2011, as are so many around the region.

“I’ve been to every Rugby World Cup so far and having it here on our doorstep is fantastic. It’s an opportunity to pay back all the hospitality I’ve enjoyed over the years.”

Everything from Mt Taranaki to Cape Palliser to Marlborough’s vineyards will all be part of the experience.

“People will be going to the local shows and the flower gardens, as well as the Rugby pitches.”

Touring the United Kingdom supporting the All Blacks over the years, Leslie remarks that there are parts of the country that still don’t follow Rugby. Not so in New Zealand.

“Over here everyone grew up with a rugby ball in their hand, whether they still play the game or not. It doesn’t matter where you go, they’ll have their colours on and the door will be open.

“Everyone in New Zealand will be into it.”