Bay of Plenty will be a festive place in Rugby World Cup 2011
Wednesday 8 December 2010, 6:47PM
By Bay of Plenty Regional Council
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NEW Zealand’s biggest-ever festival, which will run in conjunction with Rugby World Cup 2011 (RWC), has grown even larger for the Bay of Plenty region with several events receiving funding in a Lottery Grants Board announcement this week.
The REAL New Zealand Festival will highlight the country’s arts and culture, food and wine, heritage, entertainment, and lifestyle throughout next year’s tournament, which is expected to attract 85,000 international visitors.
The Bay of Plenty region has received more than $50,000 to help fund a variety of festivals and events that will be held during the RWC.
Some of the activities that are being planned for the Bay of Plenty will highlight the arts, food and wine, our environment, as well as sports.
In addition to this, there are still many other activities and events being developed within the region to ensure that the Bay of Plenty is the place to hang out to have fun and get a real taste of New Zealand during the RWC, which will run from Friday 9 September 2011 to Sunday 23 October 2011.
Bay of Plenty Rugby Union Operations Manager Mike Rogers welcomed the funding announcement and the range of festivals that received support through the Lottery Grants Board.
“There are so many activities and festivals on the drawing board in the Bay of Plenty for the Rugby World Cup and I think that this is going to make this region a great place to be next year,” Mr Rogers said.
“With the events that are being planned in addition to the three pool matches that will be played in Rotorua, there will be fun and exciting things for everyone and there will be lots of things happening throughout the Cup for international visitors as well as our residents.
“The opportunities that are being developed will bring a boost to the Bay of Plenty region as we all celebrate one of the biggest sporting events in the world.”
For more information about Bay of Plenty Rugby World Cup 2011 and all the associated activities, please visit www.bop2011.com.