Newcastle 2019 unveil Trophies Tour to engage the region.
Community groups, events, businesses, rugby clubs, schools and civic partners can join in the excitement surrounding the Newcastle 2019 Finals next spring as the Heineken Champions Cup and European Rugby Challenge Cup trophies embark on a tour of the North East.
Applications are now open for places to host the prestigious trophies as part of the build-up to the showpiece fixtures at St James’ Park next May, allowing the region’s public to get up close to the impressive pieces of silverware.
Commencing their journey around the area from Saturday 23 March for three weeks, the trophies will be available to successful hosts for two hours in order to allow as many venues as possible to welcome them through their doors. The tour culminates on Easter Sunday, 14th April 2019, a little under a month before the Finals Weekend.
The Newcastle 2019 finals are already among the most popular in European Rugby history. The Heineken Champions Cup Final – The One to Win – on Saturday 11 May has just over 1,000 tickets remaining on general sale. The European Challenge Cup Final staged 24 hours earlier, is also showing strong ticket sales and set to be one of the best-attended finals in that competition’s history.
With the North East public’s renowned love of sport, the Trophies Tour will offer the opportunity to raise awareness of the matches beyond the region’s rugby public. It is aimed to engage with over 25,000 people, add excitement to events already planned and ensure that the city remains on course to deliver rugby’s greatest weekend and its biggest ever party.
Speaking about the Trophies Tour Newcastle 2019 Event Director Mick Hogan said: “The Newcastle 2019 Trophies Tour will really connect with a wide range of communities here in the North East. We are looking to engage with the rugby community as well as people who are new to the sport across many different venues, locations and various types of events.
“Both the Heineken Champions Cup and the European Rugby Challenge Cup trophies are incredibly impressive and we hope that they enthuse the people that get up close to them. We are looking for all different types of activities and locations to bring the two trophies to across the three-week tour. We want to build excitement for the 2019 finals but also showcase the many wonderful destinations across our region.”
Cllr Kim McGuinness, cabinet member for culture, sport and public health at Newcastle City Council said: “We’re thrilled to be hosting the Newcastle 2019 Finals. Our focus now is to make sure the city is geared up to deliver a spectacular event in May.”
“The Trophies Tour is a great opportunity to inspire people whether they’re a rugby fan or not. We want the trophies and the event itself to engage people and so we’re encouraging as many different groups, communities and locations as possible to be part of the buzz and excitement of one of the biggest events our city has ever seen.”
To apply to be a host of the Newcastle 2019 Finals Trophies Tour, applicants should email john.oates@newcastle-falcons.co.uk. Application forms will then be distributed requesting the organisation and venue looking to host the trophies, event details, contact details for the most appropriate contact to coordinate the appearance, along with details of when they would like the visit to take place.
Applications close on January 10, with successful hosts expected to be notified by the end of January 2019 and a final itinerary announced in February.
Tickets for the Newcastle 2019 Finals can be bought by [**clicking here**][1] or by calling 0344 372 1892
[1]: https://book.nufc.co.uk/en-GB/categories/newcastle%202019%20rugby
