Invercargill Mayor supports the right to play bagpipes at Rugby World Cup games

Invercargill Mayor Tim Shadbolt is supporting the Scottish government’s request to
overturn the ban on bagpipes at Rugby World Cup games.

Invercargill was the official host city for the Scotland Rugby Team for the Rugby
World Cup and Mr Shadbolt said the Team’s presence had seen a revival of the city’s
proud Scottish heritage.

Mr Shadbolt, who attended both of the games involving Scotland at Rugby Park
Stadium, said there were there pipe bands playing outside the gates, which added to
the atmosphere.

“I also heard bagpipes playing during the game and people spontaneously started
singing Scotland’s national anthem, which was really uplifting.

“I fully support the right of Scotland supporters to play bagpipes at the games. It
is not some gimmick, but a serious part of Scotland’s culture. It is allowed at Six
Nations Rugby and at other games in New Zealand.

“Invercargill fully supports the Scotland Team and nation in this.”

Mr Shadbolt said that Rugby World Cup 2011 had been inclusive of other cultures
and he hoped that the ban on bagpipes was an oversight.

“Rugby World Cup 2011 has done a great job and I’m sure this can be put right very
quickly,” he said.