Last updated at 12:04, Thursday, 19 July 2012

Steve McCormack’s Scotland will use the Cumbria Sports Academy in Whitehaven as a training base during their World Cup campaign next year.

Steve McCormack

The news is a silver lining for Copeland after the borough missed out on hosting Scotland’s Group C clashes with Tonga and Italy.

Organisers were forced to look for a new venue after doubts arose over whether the proposed Pow Beck Stadium in Whitehaven would be completed in time for the tournament. And it was announced this week that Workington Town’s Derwent Park would instead host the matches.

Haven chief executive Barry Richardson said: “We were bitterly disappointed the games couldn’t be at Whitehaven, but the important thing is they are still going ahead in west Cumbria.

“Better that than they go elsewhere in the country. And the World Cup will bring important revenue in to west Cumbria.”

Copeland Council will be working with the RFL and tournament organisers to arrange a series of activities to promote rugby league through schools and other sessions with young people, with the aim of ensuring the tournament leaves a lasting legacy in west Cumbria.

Paul Walker, Copeland Council chief executive, said: “We are delighted with this announcement from the RFL which means that west Cumbrian fans will still get to see the sport’s premier tournament in the area.

“We worked hard, both jointly with Allerdale and individually to put together a top class bid to host games, and it is clear that the passion and commitment to hosting a successful tournament shone through to the RFL.

“Our desire to host the games and be a part of the tournament was linked to our commitment to promote west Cumbria to a wider audience and to raising the aspirations of our young people through promoting the sport and the stars who play it at the highest level.

“We continue to be committed to making this a reality. Being a host area will help us to achieve all of these aims as part of the team that will ensure the tournament is a success.”

Britain’s Energy Coast has ring-fenced £350,000 to help bring Derwent Park up to World Cup standard, and its chairman Brian Wilson said: “It is great news that the Rugby League World Cup will be coming to west Cumbria in 2013 with Derwent Park as the venue.

“This provides the whole of west Cumbria with an economic and social opportunity.

“Now the hard work begins and Britain’s Energy Coast awaits a detailed application for the funding we have ring-fenced for the improvement work needed to bring Derwent Park up to the required standards.”

First published at 11:31, Thursday, 19 July 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk