The RFL announced earlier today that Bolton will be a base for one of the competing nations for the 14-nation tournament, with Bolton Arena being named as a Team Training Camp and DeVere Whites Hotel as a Team Base Camp.

Said Gwyn Hughes, Bolton Arena Commercial Manager: “We are thrilled to be part of a successful bid to bring world class sport to Bolton. Having hosted top class boxing, tennis and badminton events, we are looking forward to adding rugby league to that list when we welcome one of the competing nations. We aim to do Bolton proud with the quality of our facilities and the warmth of our welcome.”

2013 Rugby League World Cup Tournament Director Nigel Wood said: “I would like to congratulate Bolton who have been successful in their bid to host a team in what I am confident will be a World Cup that enhances the UK’s golden decade of sport.

“We experienced massive interest in hosting matches and teams from all across Europe and the bidding process proved to be hugely competitive.

“In putting together their bid over the last 12 months, Bolton Arena has demonstrated a level of commitment that gives us confidence that the 2013 Rugby League World Cup will exceed everyone’s expectations.

“It has been a fantastic and inspiring bidding process and we have been extremely impressed with the quality, detail and diverse nature of the host bids received.”

A total of 34 bids, comprising 30 stadia, 47 team training sites and 87 team base camps, were submitted to the RFL.

Each of the bidding hosts underwent a detailed inspection from a 2013 team to examine the various sites venue specifications, as well as evaluating the enthusiasm and commitment of each bidding host.

Upwards of half a million people are expected to watch the 28 matches live over a six-week period in the autumn of 2013 with a further 20 million viewers from 120 countries tuning in around the world.

For further information, please contact Emma Starrs on 07704 110703 or email emma@adhoc-pr.com
Or RFL Communications Manager John Ledger – 0113 237 5049 or john.ledger@rfl.uk.com

NOTES TO EDITORS

The 2013 Rugby League World Cup was officially launched in November 2010 and is part of the UK’s Golden Decade of Sport.

The tournament will involve 14 nations, Australia, Cook Islands, England, Fiji, France, Ireland, Italy, New Zealand, Papa New Guinea, Samoa, Scotland, Tonga, USA and Wales.

The competition’s structure will consist of two groups of four, with England drawn alongside arch rivals Australia, Fiji and Ireland in Group A. World Cup holders New Zealand will face Pacific Island rivals Papua New Guinea, Samoa and France in Group B. Scotland will face Tonga and Italy in Group C and joint hosts Wales have been drawn against the Cook Islands and the USA in Group D.

The tournament is being part funded by the North West Development Agency, Welsh Government and UK Sport.

Awarded jointly by the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and Tenniscoach UK, the memorial trophy commemorating the life of former young coach, Darren Toop, recognises coaches under 25 demonstrating the highest levels of commitment and enthusiasm for the sport.

Rob, a former national level player, has contributed to the success of the coaching team and the academy since joining Bolton Arena two and a half years ago.   Achievements have included the outstanding progression of his players, Peter Ashley (the LTA junior player of the month) and Clay Crawford, who were both finalists in the recent LTA trip to Thailand and Malaysia.

Suzi Riley, Head of Performance Tennis at Bolton Arena, said: “Rob is an extremely talented up and coming performance coach, who also has a very high playing standard.  I’m so pleased that Rob has been rewarded for all his recent success with the Young Coach of the Year Award.  Rob is passionate and dedicated to the performance programme at Bolton Arena and has a very bright future ahead of him.”

Jim Edgar, Chairman of Tenniscoach UK said: “Rob is only 20 years old and has already made his mark in tennis coaching on the international junior scene working with incredibly talented players such as Peter Ashley and Clay Crawford.   Rob has outstanding potential for the future at a professional standard and I wish him all the best for his career.”

Bolton Arena’s Performance Tennis Programme is regarded by the LTA as one of the best programmes in the country, created specifically for the development of talented juniors.   As a hub for sport in the community, Bolton Arena also runs tennis classes for all ages and abilities, visit www.boltonarena.com for further details.

Starting with the installation of new powerplates and spinning bikes earlier in the year, the free weights area has also been extended, with new rubber flooring and the replacement of dumbbells, kettlebells and fitness equipment.

A dedicated spinning area on the gym floor has also been created, enabling members to use the LiveStrong spinning bikes at all times; not just during spinning classes. Group exercise classes are also set to benefit, with new mats and dumbbells for popular studio classes.

Feature wall re-painting and a new stretching area mat provided the finishing touches to the refurbishment.

Commercial Manager, Gwyn Hughes, says: “The investment was necessary to meet the demands of a growing membership, address the wear and tear caused by 150,000 visits a year and maintain our commitment to providing ‘best in class’ facilities.

“Customer feedback so far has been extremely positive, especially in response to the extra space in the free weights area and the new dumbbells.  Our members have been very patient whilst the work has been taking place, and hopefully they’ve been rewarded with a much improved facility.”

For more information, visit www.boltonarena.com

Targeting event organisers and buyers, the brochure features images, floor plans, technical information and complete details of the facilities and event support on offer. Created by Bolton-based design and marketing agency, Portfolio, the brochure enables organisers to visualise exactly how their event will look and run at Bolton Arena.

The new brochure details the variety of spaces on offer, including a 9,000 capacity main hall with 5000sqm of flexible floor space and a dedicated 400 amp power supply, to purpose built meeting rooms and a 450 seat Sports Education Theatre for intimate gigs and conferences.

From hosting a Team GB tie at this year’s Davis Cup, to events ranging from sell-out Comedy Store gigs to environmental exhibitions and election counts, the multi-million pound sporting, conference and entertainment venue has proven flexibility.

Stephanie Whittingham, Bolton Arena’s Marketing & Events Executive, says: “The brochure offers event buyers and organisers a clear picture of what they can expect when choosing Bolton Arena as their venue. Our experience of hosting both large and small scale events is clearly demonstrated.”

Gwyn Hughes, Bolton Arena’s Commercial Director, says: “We are immensely proud of the Arena’s versatility in accommodating anything from global sporting fixtures to trade events, with facilities and transport links that are second to none.”

Boasting a decade of high profile success as the complete venue for meetings, events and conferences; investment in infrastructure and unparalleled transport links keep Bolton Arena at the forefront of the North West event venue market.

For more information contact us

Drawing youngsters from local schools, the two sessions offer high performance coaching and are aimed at four to eight year olds and over eight age groups.  The event will encourage new talent to join the tennis classes that start at the tots level, currently with more than one hundred under sixes playing tennis each week.

As the North West’s High Performance Centre for tennis, the coaching programme links with satellite centres across the region and maximises the performance of players of all ages, from the age of three, through to adults on the professional tour.  A hub for tennis in the community, Bolton Arena provides a pathway for talented players and also delivers free tennis in local schools, offering children participation opportunities, both in school and at the club.

As well as hosting the Davis Cup this year, Bolton Arena also achieved the prestigious Beacon Award status for affordable community tennis provision from the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA), demonstrating the Arena’s success as an all-level venue.

Says Stuart Kay, Bolton Arena tennis manager: “Our links with other clubs add value to our programme, with Lostock providing social tennis opportunities in a club environment, and our satellite centres in the North West feeding the most talented players from the region into our performance programme.  George Morgan, a world top ten junior and recent competitor at junior Wimbledon, is a local boy and a recentBolton Arena Tennis Academy player.  Our junior programme definitely helps talented young tennis players to achieve their dreams.

Continues Stuart: “British tennis sometimes gets put down in the media spotlight, but locally and nationally, tennis is very much at the forefront and growing in terms of interest and talent.  As a high performance centre, we are nurturing national tennis prospects from the grassroots.”

The current junior tennis programmes runs until the end of July, with a development camp and course programme running from Monday – Wednesday each week throughout August.  The full programme resumes on Monday 5th September, with over 30 development classes per week.  The current adult programme recommences on Monday 5th Sept.

Anyone interested in trying tennis should contact Stuart Kay Tennis Manager at the arena on 01204 488110.  For more information, visit www.boltonarena.com

On a tour of the facilities, guests saw 360 local primary school children take part in The Aviva inter-school athletics competition organised by St Joseph’s School Sport Partnership, the largest indoor athletics event of its kind in the area.

Next stop was a display by the Arena’s medal winning 11-16 year old gymnasts, performing acrobatic and artistic routines and an intricate ‘team gym’ discipline, followed by an opportunity to watch the Arena’s performance tennis players in action, fresh from competing in the Nottingham ITF tournament.

After concluding the tour, guests watched an entertaining video produced by pupils at Westhoughton High School in which customers of all ages were asked what the Arena meant to them.

In his presentation, Managing Director Paul Bartle set out the vision for the next five years, with priorities focusing on increasing participation, expanding facilities and delivering exceptional customer service. Local MP Julie Hilling then unveiled a commemorative plaque to mark the anniversary.

Former Bolton Arena Vice Chair, Ray Collett said: “It is pleasing to have seen the Arena overcome initial difficulties to become the successful and important facility it is today.  Coming from a charitable background, it is also important that Bolton Arena has never forgotten its charitable roots.”

Current Chair of the Bolton Arena Board, Richard Hurst added: “I am very pleased to see so many people working together and contributing to the continued success of the Arena.”

Bolton Arena Board Member, Cllr Sufrana Bashir-Ismail, said: “Bolton Arena’s fantastic achievements over the last ten years are down to the private sector, voluntary sector and local authorities working together in partnership to make this a facility that is unique to the area.”

Paul Bennett from the Lawn Tennis Association said: “The Arena is very important in the development of talented juniors and is one of the leading high performance centres in the UK.”

Mark Dacre, Horwich RMI Harriers Athletics Club, based at the Arena said: “Bolton Arena has been great for our club and we can’t thank the staff enough.  Without their support, we wouldn’t have been voted top out of 1500 junior clubs in England in 2009.”

During its 10 years, the Arena has become one of the country’s top tennis academies, and is now classed as a ‘gold’ high performance tennis centre by the Lawn Tennis Association.

The Arena has shown itself to be one of the UK’s most versatile and well-equipped venues.  From hosting big events such as the Commonwealth Games’ badminton tournament in 2002, to four of Amir Khan’s professional boxing matches, the venue also regularly hosts exhibitions, concerts, gymnastics and dance festivals as well as and a popular Comedy Store show in its purpose-built theatre space.

But the Arena isn’t just about events and elite sport. It is a hub for sport in the community, supporting many local sports clubs and delivering sports for children, schools and disability groups. Over 5,000 footballers and 3,500 gym members also use the state-of-the-art facilities each week.

Rated as an “excellent centre” by external assessors, the Arena is ranked among the top 2% of sports facilities in the country.

The Aviva School Hall Athletics event is the first local event of its kind on such a large scale and celebrates the importance of sport and physical activity in schools.  Organised by St Joseph’s School Sports Partnership, the event builds on the success of local inter-school competitive sports and moves towards a new school sports competition framework.

To start the anniversary celebration, guests from a cross-section of the community, including long serving partners, customers and stakeholders, will be welcomed with drinks and canapés before embarking on a tour of the £15 million facility.  In keeping with the theme of what Bolton Arena means to the community, a DVD produced by pupils from Westhoghton High School, featuring interviews with members of the public and their points of view on the Arena will also be shown on the day. 

Local MP, Julie Hilling, has been invited to unveil a commemorative plaque and organisers will launch the five year strategy for the iconic venue that has hosted an array of high profile international sporting, business and entertainment events since opening in 2001.  Tennis displays, outdoor football and a choreographed gym display themed around the number ‘10’ will also entertain the guests.

Says Paul Bartle, Managing Director; Bolton Arena “We have had such fantastic support from all walks of life in the local and business communities and this event is all about thanking these people and setting out our vision for the next five years.  We are very proud of our success and achievements so far and we are determined to continue to enhance the lives and fitness of local people and draw further recognition and prosperity to the area.”

Says Anthony Turner, partnership development manager at St Joseph’s RC School in Horwich: “This event is the ideal opportunity for young people to participate in athletics at a world class venue and to celebrate their schools’ involvement in sport and physical activity.”

Says Bolton Arena programme manager, Sue Hayes: “The Local School Sports Partnership has been key to the event and the competition itself is a landmark trial that sees schools working together on a grand scale to embrace the new government direction on sporting competition.”

As well as hosting the event, young players from the Arena’s tennis academy will be at the centre of the action. Youngsters from Bolton Arena will be acting as ball boys and girls for the five matches over the three days. Some will also be showing off their tennis talents in an exhibition style demonstration as part of the pre-match build-up each day.

Kay continued: “As a tennis centre, it is a huge privilege to host such an important tennis event. And it will be a fantastic experience and a thrill for our young players to be involved in a world class tennis event at their centre. They have all been practicing hard and will be a credit to themselves, their parents and the Arena.

“Hosting a Davis Cup tie is a special moment in the Arena’s history. It was always envisaged that we would host Davis Cup tennis. So it’s fitting that we start our 10th anniversary celebrations with this Davis Cup match.”

A few tickets are still available for the tie, priced from just £12 for Saturday’s action and only £17 to watch the two singles matches on Friday and Sunday. Kids go free with a full paying adult. You can buy your tickets from the reception desk at Bolton Arena or from the Ticket Factory by calling 0844 338 8838 for the general Box Office, or 0800 358 0058 for groups of four or more. Tickets are also available to purchase via the website: www.LTA.org.uk/daviscup

Inspired by the London 2012 Games, the Cycling Club 2012 Challenge gives 20 novice cyclists challenges over three years and ends in a three day, 140-mile Morecambe to Scarborough coast-to-coast ride.  

The project has been granted the London 2012 Inspire Mark in recognition of its vision in using the Olympic Games to increase participation in cycling at all levels.

Says Bolton Hot Wheels coach, Janet Darwell:  “Being inspired by the Olympic ideal we have put into action a three year plan; each year more physically demanding than the previous one.  These adults have come to us as complete novices and are already experiencing health benefits.  Initially some needed to be taught how to ride a bike. 

“After training within the safe confines of the athletics track at Bolton Arena, we transferred them to the roads, doing 5-12 mile sessions, but by the end of the year they had gained enough confidence and fitness to comfortably complete 70-80 miles per day.  At the end of each year they face a challenging ride.”

Says Bolton Arena programme manager, Sue Hayes: “We are delighted that Hot Wheels has achieved the London 2012 Inspire Mark.  The club epitomises everything we at Bolton Arena want to encourage, a young evolving club, breaking out into competition and challenging rides, lots of voluntary support and huge enthusiasm and passion for their sport.”

Seb Coe, Chair, London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympics Games said: “Bolton Hot Wheels Cycling Club 2012 Challenge is encouraging adults and parents of Bolton Hot Wheels Cycling Club to fulfil their potential. I am proud that with the help of partners such as Bolton Arena they are delivering on our vision to use the power of the Olympic Games and Paralympics Games to boost participation in cycling.”

The London 2012 Inspire Mark programme recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Bolton Hot Wheels – Cycling Club 2012 Challenge:

2010 Bronze challenge: Participants rode for two consecutive days in the Lake District and were then awarded a Bronze certificate.

2011 Silver Challenge: Participants will complete two days riding in the Derbyshire Peak District and will be awarded a Silver Certificate.

2012 Gold Challenge: the ultimate challenge;
They will complete a 3 day ride from coast to coast, Morecambe to Scarborough, a distance of 140 miles, and will then earn their Gold certificate.