Young international rugby stars honoured at Stormont

Hosting the U19 Rugby World Championship will strengthen Northern Ireland’s reputation as a top class location for international events.

This was the message from Paul Goggins, Minister at the Northern Ireland Office, as he welcomed guests and representatives from the 24 teams participating in the competition to a reception in Parliament Buildings.

Mr Goggins said: “Over the next three weeks hundreds of young visitors, their support teams and families will find out what a friendly and hospitable people we are. In two weeks time when they all return to their own countries, they will take with them great memories of the championship and an impression of Northern Ireland which will stay with them forever.

“For the thousands of spectators the games will provide thrills, spills and entertainment that you would expect from an international competition. For local hotels, bars and restaurants, welcome business of around £2 million will be generated in the local economy.”

The Minister said that the Under 19 rugby World Championships had in the past produced some of Ireland’s and Ulster’s great players.

“The current captain of the Irish rugby team, Brian O’Driscoll, and Ulster’s own Irish internationals, Andrew Trimble and Paddy Wallace have all played in the championship in years gone by. In fact, Brian O’Driscoll captained the winning Irish team in 1998,” he said.

The Minister thanked UK Sport and the Northern Ireland Events Company for their important financial contributions to the Tournament as well as the sponsors, Kingspan, and Belfast City Council and North Down Borough Council whose facilities are being used for the competition.

He concluded: “I wish the players all the best for their games. For some it will be the joy of winning. For others it will simply be taking part

that will make this an experience of a lifetime.”

Notes to Editors:

Photographs of the reception will be available immediately afterwards on request from Peter Hodgett, Press Office, Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure. Tel (028) 9025 8901 or email press.office@dcalni.gov.uk