York has extended a warm welcome to the Women’s Rugby League World Cup teams due to play in the city.
Last night (Monday), the Lord Mayor of York David Carr welcomed Australia, New Zealand, France and Cook Islands Women’s Rugby League World Cup teams to the city at The Principal, York.
The four teams are staying in York for the duration of this year’s tournament and will be playing in their first matches at LNER Community Stadium on Wednesday (2 November).
The women’s teams from Australia, Cook Islands, France and New Zealand join the New Zealand Men’s team as the five teams and four nations being hosted by York this tournament.
The civic welcome for the New Zealand’s men team took place earlier this month.
York’s LNER Community Stadium is hosting eight women’s games – more women’s games than any other host city.
The first games on Wednesday see New Zealand v France and Australia v Cook Islands.
There will be six group stage games in York in total, followed by the double header Semi-Final on Monday 14 November. Tickets are on-sale here.
Kezie Apps, co-captain for Australia’s Jillaroos, said: “I would like to thank York for hosting the Women’s Rugby League World Cup, it’s very special and I know we’re all really excited.”
Elianna Walton, a player for Cook Islands, said: “Thank you to the City of York for hosting us and all the special dignitaries, we really appreciate it. It’s been a long travel for us, we’re super excited to be in the ‘pool of death’ as we call it.”
Alice Varela, the captain of France, said: “We are aware that the pool is particularly a death sentence, but my girls are warriors. They are ready to face the best, they are not afraid. We are lucky to be welcomed in York, a beautiful city to walk around. The hotel is great and the university facilities are top.”
The York fixtures
New Zealand vs France (women’s) – LNER Community Stadium (Wednesday 2nd November) – 5pm
Australia vs Cook Islands (women’s) – LNER Community Stadium (Wednesday 2nd November) – 7.30pm
New Zealand vs Cook Islands (women’s) – LNER Community Stadium (Sunday 6th November) – 5pm
Australia vs France (women’s) – LNER Community Stadium (Sunday 6th November) – 7.30pm
France vs Cook Islands (women’s) – LNER Community Stadium (Thursday 10th November) – 5pm
Australia vs New Zealand (women’s) – LNER Community Stadium (Thursday 10th November) – 7.30pm
Women’s Semi-Final (Teams TBC) – LNER Community Stadium (Monday 14th November) – 5pm
Women’s Semi-Final (Teams TBC) – LNER Community Stadium (Monday 14th November) – 7.30pm
Cllr Darryl Smalley, executive member for culture, leisure and communities, said: “It has been a fantastic start to the world cup so far and we are hugely excited for the women’s tournament to get underway this week. With York hosting eight games across four matchdays, including both semi-finals, it promises to be a fantastic few weeks of sport.”
Sarah Loftus, managing director at Make It York, said: “In a year where women’s sport has made front pages and captured the imagination of so many, we couldn’t be prouder to be hosting more women’s games in York than any other host city or town.
It is a huge opportunity to showcase York on the international sporting stage, and a brilliant chance to see world class teams play international sport on our doorstep.
“Bringing the Rugby League World Cup to York has been a city effort from partners across the city including City of York Council, York City Knights, Make It York, GLL, York St John University, University of York and Queen Ethelberga’s.”
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