Overview

The Bledisloe Cup has been the symbol of trans-Tasman rugby since 1931 when it was donated by the then Governor-General of New Zealand, Lord Bledisloe. The Cup was first won by Australia in 1934 however it is generally agreed that it was not until the Wallabies’ 12-6 win over the All Blacks at the Sydney Cricket Ground in 1979, that the much closer rivalry of the modern era commenced.  The introduction of the Tri-Nations series in 1996 ensured at least two matches are played every year on a home and away basis.

Following on from the sucessfull Rugby World Cup roadshow with 'Bill' the William Web Ellis Cup in 1999, the ARU Community Rugby department looked at an opportunity to take the prestigious Bledisloe Cup on a community roadshow in the lead up to the annual Australian Bledisloe Cup match.This provides a fantastic opportunity to spread the word about the game using an icon of international Rugby – The Bledisloe Cup.

Consequently the inaugural BCR was run in 2006 from Bundaberg to Brisbane, and it has proved very successful in subsequent years, visting Victoria in 2007, 2008-2010 in NSW and 2011 in Queesnland. 

Now with one Bledisloe Cup match every August in Australia (Sydney) from 2012, with every alternative year an extra one in Brisbane during October, this is firmly entrenched in the rugby calendar.

Format

The road show takes the Bledisloe Cup on a ‘journey’ to various locations in and around the chsoen state of that years Bledisloe, stoping at various schools, junior and possibly senior rugby clubs.  The stops could include conducting sampling clinics, come and try sessions and BBQs at Rugby Clubs and junior finals.  The main attraction is the presence of the Bledisloe Cup - the Bledisloe Cup is a fundamental component of the ‘Tour’ and with it, it provides a real draw card and focal point of the visits. 

Tour Journey

The geographical areas chosen for the roadshow are that would best achieve the objectives below;

• Primary schools and junior clubs that ‘house’ current and potential new players & supporters that are the target age group for retention (rewarding) & recruitment
• Strategic centres/locations for visits are tied to the current Rugby populace (clubs& schools) in Brisbane metro in addition to previous and future recruitment and development work being conducted by the State Union in surrounding regional & country locations.
• Week day schedule to be based at individual school(s) during the day (or central venue/junior club) and then open session for all registered junior players in the afternoon at junior club or central venue
• Using specific regional and metropolitan centres to promote upcoming school & community programs with the schools/clubs that have been identified for Term 3 & 4 in 2012. One obvious proposed program is the Qantas Walla Rugby week.
• Bledisloe Test match promotion to engage more of the community in rugby’s TryRugby and the Wallaby brand

The choice of schools & junior club venues is a decided by the Local development staff and State Union Community Rugby staff

The decision is based on obvious strategic outcomes/views as included in the strategic plans of the state and National body, factors also included rewarding Rugby’s heartland, the geographic location, the opportunity was also realised to promote the game to new rugby participants that needed exposure and a marketing boost to lift the profile of the game in that particular area. Crucially to increase participation through sampling, irregular and regular rugby objectives as part of the regional development plan.

There are many opportunities for the public to come see the Bledisloe Cup Trophy - Check out the locations coming soon, come along and get up close to the silverwear - you wont be let down when you see the trophy we can guarentee that!

Check out the last two roadshows in NSW...

2010 Bledisloe Cup Roadshow and 2009 Bledisloe Cup Roadshow