That’s the message from sports stars, community leaders, the business community and fans of the game who are supporting Wigan Borough’s bid to host the 2013 tournament.
A top-flight team from Wigan Council, Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, Ashton Leigh and Wigan PCT, Leigh Sports Village, home-town heroes Wigan Warriors and the Leigh Centurions as well as the borough’s network of amateur clubs have all been working hard to bring League’s most prestigious event to the game’s spiritual home.
Lending his support to the bid, former Wigan, England and Great Britain Rugby League star and Sky Sports Commentator Phil Clarke, says: “The Rugby League World Cup offers a real opportunity to spread the game of Rugby League across the whole of Greater Manchester and although it has been played for over 100 years in the region, I believe that this event will help raise the profile of the sport and demonstrate the skills and values the game has to offer.”
Wigan Borough faces competition to host the event from the Rugby League heartland across the Pennines and from Wrexham in North Wales, as well as bids nearer to home from Warrington, Widnes and St Helens.
But the borough partnership is confident that the bid from Wigan will be a world-beater.
Wigan Council and PCT Chief Executive Joyce Redfearn says: “Few places can measure sporting success in the same way that our borough can and for many Rugby League is the lifeblood of our community.
“We believe that Wigan Borough will be a World Cup winner!”
Wigan Warriors star and Super League Young Player of the Year Sam Tomkins, summed up the mood: “Come on Wigan Borough!
“Sport is a fantastic way of bringing people together and this event really would be a massive boost to both the borough’s community spirit and the local economy as well.
“It’s going to be brilliant to see this event come home and we’re all backing the bid!”
You can keep up to date with Wigan Borough's bid to host the Rugby League World Cup by following the council's Facebook and Twitter pages.
