What did you do as part of the Pack? I was part of the team for the
Meet Andrew Weston
Welcome Ceremony for Team USA in Portsmouth; I then had two brilliant
weekends in Newcastle for the three games there. After hearing there were
opportunities for more shifts, I also worked at Twickenham for the first semifinal as well as The Final.
Why did you get involved? It’s the old cliché of
What are your volunteering goals moving forward? The
wanting to give back to the sport that gave me so much
when I was playing, and also to be involved in a once
in a lifetime opportunity.
America’s Cup World Series returns to UK waters in July and I am hoping to
be selected for that again as I worked at the event last year. I am also waiting to
hear about the U20RWC as well as the Rugby League Magic Weekend in
Newcastle.
How did you get involved in local rugby following the Pack? It prompted me to renew my full membership of my local club. I am a lapsed Level 2 coach
and I used to coach the senior team at the club but work commitments meant I had to take a step back from that for what feels like far too long.
What has been your favourite volunteering moment?
At the New Zealand v Tonga game at St James’ Park, I met an old school mate I haven’t seen for 35 years!
At the RWC2015 Final, I don’t think I have ever taken so many photographs of other people! I was at Entry Plaza 2 where there were two big shirt hoardings and everyone
wanted their photos taken with them. It was also where the team busses and The Royals came in so it was very busy.
Would you recommend volunteering in local rugby - if so why? Without doubt, volunteering in general is a great thing to do in any area. Rugby benefits
from being a family orientated, all-inclusive sport, it doesn’t matter what size, shape or gender you are, there is a place for you in our family.
Meet Darryll Shields
Why did you get involved? Being a lifelong rugby
fan, I wanted to volunteer to give something back to
the sport that I love. I also thought it would be a oncein-a-lifetime experience to get close to fellow rugby
fans from all over the world.
What was your role in the Pack? Spectator Services at Villa Park and
Leicester City Stadium
How did you get involved in local rugby following the Pack? I have
recently qualified as a referee and joined the Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire &
Derbyshire RFU Referee’s Society. To date I have officiated 1 game and have
more games coming up next month.
What are your volunteering goals moving forward? Becoming more experienced at refereeing and officiating in higher level games and also refereeing any
friendly games at local clubs in the Nottingham area
What has been your favourite volunteering moment? Getting to watch the Argentina players and sign autographs and have pictures taken with fans after their
game against Tonga in Leicester Stadium. Handing out flags on the walking route to Villa Park before the Australia/Uruguay game in Birmingham was really enjoyable,
as I was able to talk to fans from different countries.
Would you recommend volunteering in local rugby - if so why? Yes I would recommend volunteering with local rugby as it is a great way of meeting new
people, broadening your skills and generally becoming more involved at a grass route level rugby.
Meet Iain Whiteford
What did you do as part of the Pack? Kneller Hall Fleet Team
Why did you get involved?
What are your volunteering goals moving forward?
To be part of the rugby community and to be part
of with the biggest and the best Rugby World
Cup.
To increase participation of rugby in young people, seeing everyone
enjoying themselves on a rugby field is very rewarding. I would like to
continue my work with community engagement.
How did you get involved in local rugby following the Pack?
I am now leading the Spirit of Rugby programme in Portsmouth aiming to deliver rugby sessions to boys and girls aged between 16-24. We work with all
abilities and specialise in engaging the community and local university in rugby. The project has allowed me to develop as a coach and provides others
with the opportunity to get involved.
What has been your favourite volunteering moment?
I have had so many fantastic opportunities throughout RWC 2015 and the Spirit of Rugby programme, no one moment can be my favourite however
seeing participation grow over the months has been really great to see and watching everyone develop their rugby skills and knowledge has been fantastic!
Would you recommend volunteering in local rugby - if so why?
Definitely! It’s such a rewarding thing to do. You not only deliver a session which everyone thoroughly enjoys, you make great friends and meet lovely
people. As I said above the opportunity to be help grow the game and the knowledge of rugby in the local community has been amazing.
Meet Jo Bowers
What did you do as part of the Pack? I was in the fleet team at
Newcastle so drove officials and dignitaries from St James’s Park to
hotels etc
Why did you get involved? I love rugby and
wanted to help in a small way. I was so excited
and honoured to be appointed to such a
privileged role.
What are your volunteering goals moving forward? I hope to
continue being involved with a club at local level and encourage others
to play/volunteer in this sport, which amongst other things teaches
respect and teamwork.
How did you get involved in local rugby following the Pack? I signed up when the RFU Pack Team asked via email if I would be interested in
volunteering locally. James Mckay and Jake Slade were very helpful and put me in touch with a local club who were very enthusiastic.
What has been your favourite volunteering moment? Meeting other volunteers from all backgrounds and working together as a team to deliver
part of such a spectacular tournament. Oh yes, and meeting Bill Beaumont and Jason Leonard #legends
Would you recommend volunteering in local rugby - if so why? Absolutely! I have felt very welcome and everyone expresses gratitude for my
time and efforts, which is much appreciated. The club really does have a friendly family feel to it.
Meet Laura Wychgel
What did you do as part of
the Pack? I was a member of
the Spectator Experience team
at Stadium MK.
Why did you get involved? I have always been
interested in rugby; this was a great opportunity to
get involved in a major event and the chance to
meet new people within my line of workPhysiotherapy.
What are your volunteering goals moving
forward? I would love to be involved in another
major event, however on a local level I am keen to
continue with pitch side physio and increase
midweek physio sessions.
How did you get involved in local rugby following the Pack? I was initially contacted by Towcester RFC to organise a meeting with Chairman, Andrew Burley at
the club where we discussed the opportunities. We discussed my physio qualification, I begun helping their physio team instantly. Soon after I qualified for Pitch side
First Aid and was able to assist on match days. Following this I was contacted by a friend who invited me to help with the East Midlands U15’s and U18’s Women’s- some
weekend I find myself with Towcester on a Saturday and East Midland on a Sunday. It is great fun and I look forward to it continuing.
What has been your favourite volunteering moment? My Favourite moment would be during the Pack- It was the penultimate game at Stadium MK with Samoa
playing hosts to Japan, the Spectator Experience team get involved in the stadium entertainment. The live band proved to be a great way of getting the younger members
of the audience dancing. We created a massive Conga, it was great to see so many people who didn’t know each other join in.
Would you recommend volunteering in local rugby - if so why? Yes, it has not only helped me gain more experience within the pitch side physiotherapy, it has
also been great to get involved in a friendly rugby community. I would advise anyone looking for contacts and new skills to get involved in their local rugby club.
Meet Liz Gibson
What did you do as part of the Pack? I was member of spectator services team at
Twickenham volunteering at 8 games. It was a great role and I really enjoyed meeting and
helping so many rugby fans from around the world. I think I took about 5000 photos!
Why did you get involved? I work in a school and the
What are your volunteering goals moving forward? I really
children have benefitted from rugby coaches and players
from local teams volunteering their time to run workshops;
Tag rugby, Tackling Maths and anti-bullying. I wanted to
give something back to the game.
enjoy volunteering and get involved in a variety of projects both big and small.
From being a book buddy helping children with reading to being accepted as a
volunteer at RIO 2016 Olympics (fingers crossed my role will involve the rugby
7s competition there!) My next role is as a meeter and greeter for finishers at
the London Marathon. I hope to be asked back to volunteer at the Women’s
World 7s next time too.
How did you get involved in local rugby following the Pack?
Since being in The Pack I have done a further stint of spectator services at Twickenham for Six Nations game England vs Wales which was really enjoyable. It helps that I
live locally so I have some good knowledge of the stadium and the area including the location of seats, nearby pubs as well as knowing train destinations. I also recruit
and support volunteers in school including some to help introduce tag rugby to the children.
What has been your favourite volunteering moment?
There have been some very special moments over the years but the most recent was when, nearing the end of a long shift at a World Cup game, a family I had helped
beforehand came to find me specially to tell me how much they had enjoyed themselves and to thank me and all the volunteers for our help. It was lovely to know that we
had made such a fantastic impact on them and maybe they will be volunteers themselves one day!
Would you recommend volunteering in local rugby - if so why?
I would definitely recommend volunteering in rugby – everyone is so friendly and there are lots of ways you could help. Volunteers would have no problem finding a role
that they could really enjoy.
Meet Sophie Freestone
What did you do as part of the Pack?
I was a member of the Press Operations team at Villa Park. My job was to
attend press conferences and interview players/coaches after the matches!
Why did you get involved?
What are your volunteering goals moving forward?
I have been a rugby supporter for as long as I can
remember, and the opportunity to be part of England
2015 was something I couldn’t miss out on!
I would like to remain involved with Kenilworth RFC for as long as possible as
it is a great club that I thoroughly enjoy. I also hope that my experiences
through volunteering will open doors to my dream career
How did you get involved in local rugby following the Pack?
Kenilworth RFC contacted me as they had been given my details following my involvement with The Pack. They were looking for more people to help out at the club, and
I am now responsible for writing match reports for the 1 st XV and also the ladies team. On match days we also provide live updates via Twitter to keep everyone informed.
I subsequently started to attend the ladies training session and I am now a proud member of the ladies team.
What has been your favourite volunteering moment?
At England 2015 it would have to be interviewing Bryan Habana and Drew Mitchell. They have achieved so much in their careers so it was a privilege to meet them. At
Kenilworth RFC, it would be when the 1st XV won a match with the last kick of the game. It had been such a tense final few minutes so to get the win was brilliant!
Would you recommend volunteering in local rugby - if so why?
I would definitely recommend getting involved! Rugby has such a great community spirit and I have met some great people. There is never a dull moment in local rugby!
It has also given me the opportunity to get more exercise and regularly play the sport I love.
Meet Stuart Hare
Why did you get involved? I have had a great
passion for Rugby since I was a child. The Ethos
of the game and the life skills you gain from being
part of a large family. With it being a
World/International event covering my favourite
team sport and local City I was hoping to be a
part of the Event.
What did you do as part of the Pack? I was a member of the
Volunteer Interviewer Programme (VIP) at Newcastle and Leeds, the
Training Operation Programme (TOP) at Newcastle and Twickenham
as well as a member of the Pack at St James Park for all three RWC2015
matches.
What are your volunteering goals moving forward? I enjoy
passing on experience and knowledge to those rising through the ranks
in the rugby family. I would love to obtain my level 2 Coaching 15 aside, it would be a dream to gain employment within the Rugby
Community.
How did you get involved in local rugby following the Pack? I went to watch a local Rugby Festival and bumped into a coach I played alongside
as a 12yr/14yr old. I mentioned that I have my “Kids First Tag Rugby “qualification, I was asked to help with their u8's. I am now coaching u7's and u8's
and once I gain my level 2 coaching 15 a-side I will begin coaching u12's.
What has been your favourite volunteering moment? As a TAG-coach watching the u7's and u8's cheer and shake hands at the end of their match
(the Ethos of rugby). Watching them knit together as a family of friends and invite new players into their club and team. As a member of the Pack seeing
some old friends from LONDON 2012 and other events.
Would you recommend volunteering in local rugby - if so why? I would recommend without hesitating. I would like to make it clear to anybody
who was looking to Volunteer, do not feel pressured into anything, only do what they feel comfortable doing.
Meet Sue Rigby
Why did you get involved? When I was
growing up my father and I shared a love of the
game. I was informed about the Pack and thought
it was too good an opportunity to miss.
What did you do as part of the Pack? I was lucky enough to be a
Spectator Services team member at Villa Park- Birmingham.
How did you get involved in local rugby following the Pack? I
was approached by Alison Simcock from Chester RUFC and invited to
the club where I was welcomed with open arms. I made the most of the
invitation as I had recently moved to the area and it was an opportunity
to meet new people and build on my RWC volunteering.
What are your volunteering goals moving forward? None in particular. I have been welcomed by so many people around the club; it is great to see
the scale of the operation and how many people are giving up their time to make the club run smoothly. I would like to continue my involvement in the
Rugby Family – I guess that is my goal moving forward.
What has been your favourite volunteering moment? My favourite moment from the Pack was being positioned in Aston Park, meeting and
interacting with all the fans using the bus service – South Africans were particularly good fun.
Would you recommend volunteering in local rugby - if so why? Yes 100% I would recommend volunteering at your local club. As mentioned
above I have been welcomed into the rugby family; I feel like I am part of the community. The atmosphere is fantastic even whilst on car park duty in the
rain. Following my involvement I have been invited to a fund-raising planning meeting to share my thoughts and experiences.