Rugby Victoria is pleased to announce that the 2020 Pre-Season Cup will be held at the Shepparton Sports City on Saturday March 14 and Sunday March 15, 2020.
The 2020 preseason tournament will see all divisions of Victorian Senior Men’s and Women’s teams compete, with over 450 players expected to participate. Previously held in Geelong and Endeavour Hills, the event will advocate for positive social change with a focal point of community engagement in rural regions. The event is proudly supported by the Greater Shepparton City Council, where the partnership will see Rugby Victoria host 2000 spectators in the region across the two days.
Rugby Victoria is committed to building capacity within regional Victoria and in conjunction with the tournament, Rugby Victoria will offer local primary and secondary school development programs for students in the week leading up to this event. These initiatives will provide an opportunity for greater regional connection and will encourage participation in Club XVs and 7s tournaments, moving forward and into the future.
The diverse nature of Rugby makes the pre-season event an ideal medium to reach men and women from every culture and socio-economic background within Rural Victoria, specifically in Greater Shepparton providing a vehicle for empowerment and community unity. Furthermore, the event will build capacity and drive interest in the local Club, the Shepparton Bulls Rugby Club.
Chris Evans, General Manager Rugby Victoria said: “We are very excited to host the pre-season cup in Shepparton for the first time, next year.”
“The Pre-Season Cup will be a marquee event in the Rugby Calendar with 40 teams from local and Interstate Clubs, expected to participate in 2020.
“I would like to thank the Greater Shepparton City Council for their support of what promises to be a wonderful event.”
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor Councillor Kim O’Keeffe said it was wonderful for Greater Shepparton to be able to secure another new event to our region.
“We are grateful to see our redeveloped Shepparton Sports City precinct has enabled us to host amazing events such as these and see many people from around Victoria and interstate converge to Greater Shepparton to be a part of this event,” Cr O’Keeffe said.
“As the leading sporting and events capital of regional Australia we welcome these events to our region which keep our economy strong and local businesses thriving.
“We look forward to partnering with Rugby Victoria and the Shepparton Bulls to deliver a first class event for all our visitors. We hope everyone visiting will enjoy our local hospitality and have the opportunity to explore the Many Great Things within our community.”
Team entries for the 2020 Pre-Season Cup will open in November 2020.
For more information on the 2020 Rugby Victoria Pre-Season Cup please contact Dean Gibbons at dean.gibbons@rugbyvic.com.au.
The Shepparton Bulls Rugby Club play in Rugby Victoria’s Championship competition. V E Vibert Reserve is the home of the Shepparton Bulls.
For more information on Rugby in Shepparton, please contact Mellisa Silaga on 0448 483 122.
