PE in Sevens heaven
13 Apr 2011
Port Elizabeth’s Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium has been announced as the venue for the South African leg of the Sevens World Series.
It was the predictable decision, one that the pundits had called since the bidding for the hosting rights opened last December. PE was dubbed the ‘politically correct’ choice because hosting the South African leg at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium would increase rugby interest in the region and would benefit the development of the sport, especially in the black areas of the Eastern Cape.
While there were several other unions, like SWD and the Leopards, that were competing, Cape Town was considered PE’s only realistic competitor in the bidding race because of its success of hosting international tournaments and festivals, its numerous tourism facilities and rugby tradition in the city. In Cape Town there was an opportunity to create a world-class tournament, similar to those in Hong Kong and London.
However, with EP Kings president Cheeky Watson seen at Saru’s offices prior to the official announcement, it was obvious that PE would be granted hosting rights. And so it was announced by Saru CEO Jurie Roux on Monday afternoon, but was it a ‘politically correct’ or a fair decision?
Roux declared it an ‘easy and clear-cut choice’ to appoint PE as the new hosts. Roux showed me the professional bid the EP Kings put forward (a thick, bound book which covered all Saru’s criteria). He described it as the ‘best bid made by all unions involved’.
‘This decision was actually confirmed by Saru and the IRB a few weeks ago already, but the IRB asked us to delay the announcement so it coincided with Australia’s new host city notification [the Australian Sevens leg has moved from Adelaide to Skilled Park in the Gold Coast],’ Roux told keo.co.za.
‘After nine years of the SA Sevens leg being hosted in George, it was time for a change for the greater good. George has served the country well but it was agreed that hosting the sevens tournament in PE would help with the development of the sport in the region.’
When a journalist queried whether Cape Town would have provided a more professional set-up than PE, Roux replied: ‘Are you saying that they are not professional?
‘Saru looked at this issue and critiqued all the bids according to our check list, that focuses on the venues, the city, the local municipality, government financial support and whether the stadium was spectator-friendly. EP met these requirements and it was a simple decision at the end of the day. Their bid was far more professional than WP’s bid.’
With PE also hosting the Springbok/All Blacks Tri-Nations Test on 20 August, Watson said these were great times for EP Rugby.
‘As president of EP, we would like the thank Saru and the IRB for their proactive decision,’ Watson said. ‘I would also like to thank the administrators, the municipality and the stadium officials for their help in presenting a professional bid.
‘We saw the revival of the Kings last year, a record crowd for the British & Irish Lions game in PE and a 45 000-strong crowd for the Currie Cup promotion/relegation play-off last season. There is a hunger for top-flight rugby in our region and it’s great to host the sevens as most of those players come from EP. We will do our best to make this sevens tournament a success.’
By Gareth Duncan
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68 Comments
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13 Apr 2011, 15:13 pm
slow day today
hmmmm…
13 Apr 2011, 15:14 pm
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-49: i thought it was called pink p ussy?
13 Apr 2011, 15:15 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-48:
its part of their identity shift towards being rebranded as vodaphone (the parent company).
they are making baby steps.
first the colour and then the name.
13 Apr 2011, 15:16 pm
@Roar Loud(RL)-50: they are only friendly because they havent hosted you before.
13 Apr 2011, 15:17 pm
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-53: ja, i suppose vodaphone has far less offensive connotations than the current name pronounced with a heavy pretoria accent.
13 Apr 2011, 15:19 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-48: ever heard of vodafone … much bigger than vodacom and rugby put together.
13 Apr 2011, 15:20 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-52:
that’s the colour lion boy and his tow truck gang have sprayed their styrofoam boogie boards.
13 Apr 2011, 15:26 pm
@kevin w(kevin w)-56: it was tongue in cheek man, cmon!
13 Apr 2011, 15:37 pm
Can anyone tell me what was on offer at the stadium to have 45 000 spectators, were people bussed in?
13 Apr 2011, 15:38 pm
@rangerman(rangerman)-48: I like cell C’s retorts
13 Apr 2011, 15:56 pm
Another one to the Politicians – they complained about George being not uo to it – now PE – In the middle of no where – all the descent pubs (not shabeens) , Hotels etc are miles away – another arsehole descision!!!!!!!!!!!
13 Apr 2011, 16:22 pm
Well done PE. Think this is great. Will be far better than having it at George.
One just has to think about the cricket there with the Bands playing and the singing going on the whole day. Atmosphere always looks great there. Think we could see a similar thing for the 7s.
13 Apr 2011, 16:29 pm
@cane(cane)-25: Very true Cane. I personally think it will be a huge success there. The cricket when played in PE is always sold out and the vibe with the band playing, with so many singing the whole game through, is terrific. Think the 7s will be great there.
13 Apr 2011, 16:29 pm
Well done PE. Having watched the 7′ in George and had to see our boys being abused by the locals I say well done Jurie Roux! Let PE show the George locals how you support your team. The Boks!
13 Apr 2011, 16:34 pm
@losbal(losbal)-64: fortunately I have not been witness to that, what do the locals say/do etc?
13 Apr 2011, 20:01 pm
the only reason they call PE the”friendly city” is because the farking wind blows so hard it blows a smile on your face
13 Apr 2011, 23:47 pm
@The X-factor is staying at home.(gunther)-23: Gracious me! Mango Groove! Claire Johnson must be pushing about 70 by now! Is her microphone hooked on to a Zimmer frame?
14 Apr 2011, 09:39 am
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-67:
Tickles
I’m sure you still have all their tapes.
They must be worn out by now.
Sniff sniff.
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