Wrexham has submitted its bid to host matches at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.
‘Wrexham 2013 – Bringing Rugby League to Life’ will see the Racecourse Ground bid to host Rugby League World Cup games for the second time. The stadium previously hosted a group match between Wales and the Cook Islands in 2000.
The bid, which has received the backing from several high profile figures, was submitted to the RFL on Friday.
Iestyn Harris and members of the Crusaders squad were joined by council officials and pupils from Haford y Wern Primary School at the club’s training ground to help send the bid off in style.
The 2013 World Cup will be joint hosted by Wales and England, and Wrexham is one of several towns and cities from throughout the UK who are bidding to host matches and training camps for the huge event.
The bid has included letters of support from several high profile figures, including Crusaders players and head coach Iestyn Harris.
And Harris would love to see international rugby league return to the Racecourse Ground once again.
“I am fully backing Wrexham’s bid to host matches at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup,” Harris said.
“I have been privileged enough to represent Wales at two Rugby League World Cups, and there is no greater feeling than playing for your country on the grandest stage of them all.
“Wales have a great pedigree in this competition, reaching the semi finals in both the 1995 and 2000 World Cups.
“And it would be a tremendous honour to see Wales play at this historic stadium at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.
“The fans here have a real appetite for the game. They are very vocal and they have truly embraced rugby league and I have no doubt that hosting a World cup game would see the Racecourse packed out.
“We have a fantastic stadium with great facilities, and the town has a lot to offer to supporters.
“The Welsh boys love playing here at the Racecourse Ground and hosting a game here in Wrexham would be fantastic for the town.
“We have a tremendous nucleolus of young Welsh players here at the Crusaders. In recent years we have seen the likes of Lloyd White, Ben Flower, Gil Dudson, Elliot Kear and Jamie Murphy shine for both club and country.
“They all love playing here at the Racecourse Ground, and it would be fantastic for them to show their talent on the grandest stage of them all, here in Wrexham.”
And Harris believes that bringing international rugby stars to the Racecourse Ground and Wrexham will inspire the next generation of youngsters to take a greater interest in the sport.
He added: “Crusaders are definitely inspiring young people and children from throughout the North Wales area to pick up a rugby ball and start playing what I believe to be the greatest sport on the planet.
“Hosting matches at the 2013 Rugby World Cup will take this to a whole new level.
“Wales is a rugby-mad country. No nation comes close to our passion and love for the sport. That is evident at the Racecourse Ground at every Crusaders home game.
“These are exciting times for Welsh Rugby League, and I encourage everybody to back Wrexham’s bid to host matches at the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.”
You can back the bid by joining the official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/rugbywrexham2013.
