2011 World Cup UK Venue Review

25 March 2011

All countries to participate in the 2011 World Cup[SinglePic not found]

As per previous communication I paid a visit to the UK this week to have a look at the new venue, and meet the new organisers. I can positively report back as follow.

The venue itself is situated in a much more visitor friendly environment as to Bishop Burton and is located 80 miles from Heathrow Airport London and 30 miles from Birmingham Airport by road and forty minutes by train from London

It is also located in an area with a variety of tourist attractions for supporters which should keep them very busy during the days when no test matches are being played.

The fields as they are now I am positive about that we could play on them immediately without any trouble and they are continuously being upgraded till the event itself.

At the fields areas are being prepared where Marquee tents will be erected with all facilities available and more than sufficient parking and back-up playing fields if needed.[SinglePic not found]

I had the opportunity to meet with Phillip Baker the owner of the grounds who is currently putting in a huge effort to have everything in place in a very short time. He also gave me the assurance that the venue will be available with all requirements for the entire period of the World Cup.

Furthermore I met with Eric Jenkinson, Quintin Cornforth and Iain Heaton the CEO of the organising committee.

All three these gentlemen are fully supportive and positive towards the running of the World Cup and never hesitated to answer any questions asked and assured a very successful event.

The entire organising committee for this event has been restructured and it was found that communication in surrounding areas has already been distributed as various places were visited and everybody of importance knew about the coming World Cup. That can also be seen in the communication received from Iain the last few weeks regarding the progress entry fees etc.[SinglePic not found]

The horses available for the World Cup were also discussed and assurance were also given that the correct total of horses would be available although they might not be to the same standard of horses supplied in Australia.

In view of the fact that the organising committee had changed and the draw send out previously was done by the previous organisers also came under discussion and agreement had been reached that the draw would change as per the last discussion between Iain and Odette with the input from Bill Bleechmore which means that the draw will now be as put together by Iain after studying a variety of possible draws. I am however of opinion that at the IPC meeting a standard format must be tabled for future World Cup events which would be used by all countries hosting a World Cup. We have the two previous versions done by Australia for 2003 and 2007 which worked out well, and now this one from Iain.

Pool A

• Australia
• New Zealand
• Zimbabwe
• Zambia

 

Pool B

• United Kingdom
• South Africa
• Ireland
• United States of America

I have taken some pictures of the venue and the type of stabling which I am attaching to this e mail for your view.[SinglePic not found]

As said I am happy with the venue and would like to thank the UK organisers for their hospitality and support during my visit and wish them all of the best for the last few months of preparation and at this stage has no doubt that they will host a successful 2011 World Cup.

If you have any further questions please feel free to ask and regular updates will be received from Iain as they proceed.

I call on all countries to be positive and support the UK in every possible way we as member countries can.

Kind Regards

Wessel Strauss

PRESIDENT: INTERNATIONAL POLOCROSSE COUNCIL