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The build-up begins
Ice ice baby page 2
Wanaka Sun giveaway page 3
Rugby fans Sam Knight in an English jersey, Ethan Kerr in an All Blacks jersey and Jack East in a French jersey. photo: charlotte trundle
Holiday fair page 4
Bargains for bookworms page 11
sunviews page 13
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Charlotte Trundle Excitement is growing for Rugby World Cup 2011as local fans gear up for the one of the biggest sporting events to be staged in New Zealand. Although Wanaka will not host a team, Lake Wanaka Tourism (LWT) encourages the community to adopt one of the teams coming to the Queenstown Lakes region. “Get behind one of these teams, give them a warm welcome and make them feel at home,” LWT general manager James Helmore said. Queenstown is an official training venue for four teams in the first two weeks in September: Ireland, Georgia, Romania and England. The
Queenstown Lakes District Council World Cup coordinator Jono Sutherland is currently in talks with English team management to bring four players to Wanaka on September 15. The players could arrive by helicopter and spend about an hour chatting with locals and school children. The Romanian team is also keen to travel around the district and Jono is working to include a visit to Wanaka in their plans. Children from Makarora School and Hawea Flat School have been invited to the airport welcome for the Irish team on September 1. “We are trying to target the smaller schools and give them opportunities
they usually miss out on,” Jono said. All local school children will have the chance to enter regional World Cupthemed competitions. Lake Wanaka Tourism is working on initiatives to get
and activity providers by LWT has shown prices will be the same as they would normally be during September and October with no surcharges applied. “It’s important Wanaka shows Rugby World Cup visitors how passionate
Get behind one of these teams, give them a warm welcome and make them feel at home. rugby supporters to spend their time in Wanaka, such as suggested rugby-supporter itineraries. “Our key selling point is escape from the crowds and come and enjoy our good kiwi hospitality,” James said. A survey of accommodation
we are about sharing this region’s experiences with them.” James said. “Working with our operators to not raise prices proves this commitment.” The council has organised for World Cup flags to be put up on flagpoles along Ardmore
Street and Lake Wanaka Tourism are encouraging the local business community “to get into the spirit of things by decorating their shop windows.” A Touch 7s tournament will be held at Snow Park during the Rugby World Cup and Willowridge Wanakafest plans to show the game on a big screen as the last day of the event coincides with the final match on October 23. Other events in Wanaka are still to be announced. Rugby World Cup 2011 kicks off on Friday September 9 when New Zealand take on Tonga at Auckland’s Eden Park.