Access All AreasBrighton Dome has been chosen to host a Rugby World Cup 2015 Welcome Ceremony for Japan and Samoa on Friday 11 September.
Brighton Dome is one of 17 venues across England and Wales which have been chosen to host the ceremonies for the 20 teams.
The venues include Hampton Court Palace, Eastbourne Bandstand and Royal Welsh College of Music & Drama in Cardiff. Each ceremony will have four Cap and Medal Bearers which will be 16 to 24 year olds representing the legacy of Rugby World Cup 2015.
The ceremonies will be a celebration of the team’s achievements and will include team friends and family as well as the local community. The ceremonies will be an official welcome to England and Wales for the Team featuring their presentation of Tournament Caps and Rugby World Cup 2015 Participation Medals.
Brighton Dome is a three space, Grade 1 listed building made up of the Concert Hall, Corn Exchange and Studio Theatre at the cultural heart of teh south coast resort.
Managing Director of England Rugby 2015, Steve Brown, said: “We are delighted to have secured Brighton Dome to host the Welcome Ceremony for both Japan and Samoa. These landmark locations from across England and Wales broaden the reach of the Tournament and will be great settings for us to welcome the players and management. These events will be a celebration of the Team’s achievements, alongside a warm local welcome as the 20 best Teams arrive for Rugby World Cup 2015.’”
World Rugby chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “Rugby World Cup 2015 is about communities and Teams uniting to celebrate Rugby, sport and friendship and these official Team Welcome Ceremonies really will set the tone for the Tournament. Representing your team on the greatest of stages is the pinnacle of any player’s career and the culmination of years of dedication and passion. Britain is renowned for its exceptional warm welcome and love of major events and I am sure that these ceremonies the length of breadth of England and Wales will be very special and cherished by both the Teams and welcoming communities alike.”
RFU Rugby development director Steve Grainger said: “It is great that these Welcome Ceremonies are involving people who represent our ongoing legacy work. We have Medal Bearers from not only the All Schools programme, but also Young Rugby Ambassadors and young club players from the 16 to 24 age group. There will also be 1,000 people representing grassroots Rugby clubs invited to attend the ceremonies, which shows the strength of connection between all levels of the game.”