World Cup rugby ace Robinson to speak at Sportsman’s Lunch
RUGBY star Jason Robinson is to be guest speaker at Eventmasters’ 31st Midland’s Sportsman’s Lunch on Wednesday, December 8 at the Macdonald Burlington Hotel in Birmingham city centre.
Robinson is the brilliant England winger who helped inspire his country to victory in the 2003 World Cup final.
Nicknamed Billy Whizz after a character in the Beano, an extremely fast runner, he was an international at both league and union, known for his acceleration, side-step and ability to beat defenders.
During his Rugby League career he played 281 games, scoring an incredible 171 tries.
At Wigan, the Yorkshireman’s honours included a Super League title, four Championships, three Challenge Cups, three Regal Trophy wins, and four premiership titles. He received 12 caps for Great Britain and seven for England.
Switching to union, he managed 28 tries in 51 England games, the highlight of which was a memorable one in that 2003 final.
He was appointed captain in 2004, the first mixed-race player and the first former professional rugby league footballer to do so.
Tempted out of retirement, he was part of England’s 2007 World Cup campaign in France, selected for his leadership and winning mentality.
Robinson recovered from an early hamstring injury to help England beat first Australia in the quarter finals and then France before going down to South Africa in the final.
He left the field bloodied and with a shoulder injury symbolising his commitment to give his very best for his country.
In addition, there were five Lions caps across the 2001 tour to Australia and the 2005 tour to New Zealand.
Denise Sheasby, managing director of St Paul’s Square-based sports hospitality agency Eventmasters, who put the luncheon together, said: “We are thrilled that Jason has accepted our invitation to be guest of honour. He is a legend in the game and sure to provide special insight into the future of both England and rugby as a whole.”
The event will be hosted and compered by Tim Stimpson.
Eventmasters arranges packages for thousands of clients to attend big sporting occasions across rugby, tennis, football, cricket and horse racing – top events include Cheltenham, Chester, Royal Ascot, York, and Aintree.
In addition, there are relationships with Trent Bridge, Headingley, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur and the Lawn Tennis Association.
Previous guests of honour have included rugby greats Mike Tindall, Sam Warburton, Phil Vickery, Jason Leonard, Will Greenwood, Ben Kay, Will Carling, Rob Andrew, Dean Richards, Jeremy Guscott, Martin Johnson, and, Sir Clive Woodward.