Southland celebrates the Rugby World Cup

World Cup fever has spread throughout the Southland district as communities all over the region show their support for the competing rugby teams and welcome new visitors to the area.

Lumsden has paved the way, drawing national attention to their celebratory efforts. Flags, bunting, painted sheep and "Welcome Rugby Fans 2011" signs are among the features catching the eye of travellers and teams passing through the township to attend matches.

This has been accompanied by in-store screens playing DVDs to promote Southland and a general tidy-up of the town.

Riversdale has adorned its main street with flags and bunting which hang on local buildings, including the school and police station. Rugby World Cup celebrations have encouraged a freshening up of street gardens and replacement of plants to flaunt the township at its finest.

With a visit to Fiordland dominating the "must-see" list of copious numbers of international travellers, there will be no shortage of visitors passing through Te Anau over the next two months. In order to welcome the tourists, flags of every nation competing in the Rugby World Cup will be flying high to greet the rugby fans.

The Otautau community has similarly made an immense effort with bunting and Rugby World Cup flags on the main street and at the local school, marking the occasion for travellers and local people alike who have an interest in the games.

Riverton hosted a Colac Bay versus Scotland supporters' fun game at Colac Bay at the weekend to demonstrate their support for the tournament. Scotland's blue and white colours dominated the decorations in Riverton and a public choir sang the Scottish national anthem at the game. Rugby World Cup banners along Palmerston Street are complemented by the numerous window displays of shops lining the street.

Riverton's Community Board has approved freedom camping at Taramea Soundshell area for a limited period while the games are taking place down south in September as a gesture of good will to those travelling through.

Winton was responsible for kicking off the region's celebrations when it hosted the "All Blacks Coming to a Town Near You" visit recently. All Blacks' fans lined the streets of Winton hoping to catch a glimpse of sporting heroes Andrew Hore and Jimmy Cowen before they set off to compete in the Rugby World Cup.

A Young Farmers' Competition, a Rippa rugby tournament and a vintage vehicle parade were among the activities that the All Blacks participated in at Midlands' Rugby Club. The players were met with a vision of black and white from local retailers, schools and offices in Winton which were adorned with All Blacks' flags and posters. Residents are looking forward to welcoming travellers from other nations throughout the duration of the competition.

Southland District Council offices and libraries, including the head office in Invercargill, have entered into the spirit of the sporting occasion by decorating their public areas with flags, banners, balloons and posters. Council staff and Community Boards all over Southland have been at the forefront of the district-wide celebrations, showcasing Southland at its best to the world.

Mayor Frana Cardno was the Southland representative at the opening ceremony on Friday and she was proud to be a New Zealander.

"The magnificent opening just shows what we can do here, and Southland is right behind the celebrations and the teams," Mrs Cardno said.