Rugby 'favourite' is World Cup Ambassador

Former Gloucester rugby captain, Adam Balding has been selected to be the City’s co-ordinator for its preparations for Rugby World Cup 2015.

 

Adam, who ended his playing career last year, was a firm favourite with Gloucester fans and skippered the club for two seasons.

 He was appointed to the role by the City Council following a tough selection process.

 

His job will be to help raise awareness of the competition and the City’s role, co-ordinate events and ensure community and business involvement.

 

He said: “I loved playing for Gloucester and enjoyed my time here thoroughly. It is an honour to be chosen to perform this role and I will bring the same commitment to doing it as I gave on the rugby field.

 

“It is important that this is an event which is inclusive for everyone. It is about the competition and the games, but we must also involve people who don’t necessarily enjoy sport or rugby. So it will also be about the cultural and community events that we will be staging and making sure that everyone has the opportunity to find a way to be involved in this exciting venture.”

 

Council Leader, Paul James, commented: “Having someone like Adam on our team is a real coup for the City. He was a favourite of the fans as a player for Gloucester and we know he will bring that drive and determination he had on the field to his role.

 

“Being a Host City for one of the World’s premier sporting international events is a fantastic opportunity. We need to ensure that we capitalise on that. We have a role to play in ensuring that the competition matches played here are successful and that visitors have a fantastic time.

 

“Beyond that we want the local economy to benefit and for there to be a community legacy that will live on beyond the competition. This is a big job and we believe that Adam is the man to do it.”

Rugby "favourite" is World Cup Ambassador