World Cup trophy in town

Rugby League World Cup trophy

The Rugby League World Cup trophy returns to Rochdale this month during its tour of England, Wales and France.

The impressive silver-plated trophy will be in pride of place at Rochdale Leisure Centre on Wednesday 14 August before moving on to Kingsway Sports Centre for the afternoon.

It will be on display in the reception area of Rochdale Leisure Centre from 10am until 12pm, and then at Kingsway Sports Centre from 1pm – 3pm.

The trophy will be joined by ‘Grubber’, the tournament's official mascot and everyone is welcome to come and say hello and have their photo taken with the famous trophy.

If you upload your photo with the trophy to the tournament website www.rlwc2013.com or tweet it using hashtag #RLWC2013 you could also win tickets to the game.

Mark Widdup, Director of Economy and Environment at Rochdale Borough Council said:
“I know the trophy got a fantastic reception during its last visit to Rochdale and it’s an honour to see it return.” 

The 61cm high, silver-plated trophy has an interesting history, it was commissioned by Paul Barrière, a former French Resistance fighter, for rugby league’s first World Cup in 1954. It was presented to the winning nation at the next four tournaments.

However, while on display in the Midland Hotel in Bradford, it was stolen - six days before the 1970 final. Twenty years later it was found dumped in a ditch near the Bradford and Bingley Rugby League Club. It was brought back into use for the 2000 World Cup and presented to the victorious Australian team.