Sunderland's fan zone drew thousands with live music, a carnival parade and fans marching to the Stadium of Light for the World Cup kick-off. The tournament planning prioritised accessibility, with 95% of the population within two hours' travel of a match. The RFU committed Impact 25 funds for regional investment and the North East Combined Authority contributed £500,000 to the fan zone. The region lacks an elite women's rugby club; the North East Women's XV launched in 2024 but struggles to secure sponsorship and coaches. More than 100 girls sit on the RFU pathway in Durham, prompting local skills workshops and development activity.
behind him. If everywhere else around town was empty, it was because everyone was here. It was a hell of a way to start a World Cup. Let's show them how we do it in the north-east! shouted out the Mackem Mercury as he set a carnival parade off marching over the bridge towards the Stadium of Light for the kick-off.
There isn't an elite women's rugby club in this corner of the country. The North East Women's XV was launched in 2024, but have struggled to attract enough sponsorship to cover kit costs, let alone pay for coaches. There's no shortage of talent, there are more than 100 girls on the RFU pathway just in Durham, never mind the surrounding counties, but they have nowhere to go except down south if they want to carry on in it.
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