International rugby pulls in big bucks for Bay economy
RUGBY tests and the Sevens Series have pumped millions of rands into the Eastern Cape economy, according to EP Rugby Union chief executive Charl Crous.
Last year’s Sevens brought in R217.8-million and the Scotland test R155-million.
Coming up, the Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens tournament on December 13 and 14 will give a further boost to the regional economy.
Crous said in his annual report that last year’s leg of the Sevens Series at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium had given the region a huge shot in the arm.
“Last year’s Sevens tournament is estimated to have had a direct, indirect and induced economic impact of about R217.8-million for the region.”
He said this year’s test against Scotland played in the Bay, which at- tracted 41 000 fans, had also proved to be a big money-spinner.
“This was by far the best-attended test of the July window, with the economic impact for the region estimated at about R155-million.
“In keeping with EP Rugby’s motto of making top-class rugby affordable for the masses, Sevens tickets have gone on sale from as little as R30.
“EP Rugby is already formally engaging with SA Rugby to secure the return of the tournament to Nelson Mandela Bay. Over the period we have been hosting the Sevens event, we have gained significant insight into what is required and have been able to improve on service delivered year by year.”
Crous said the professional rugby season this year had been a challenging one, especially for the senior side, which re-entered the Currie Cup Premier Division.
“With the successes achieved last year in our debut Super Rugby season, we all had high expectations for our team, but it was not to be.
“No team sets out to lose, and while the losses have been hard for our supporters, it has been equally, if not more, frustrating for the players and team management.
“It has been a hard road to walk, but it has not been walked in vain. There have been many lessons learnt, by individual players, the team and the management.
“It is now up to us to take those lessons and apply them in preparation for the 2015 season.”
Crous said sight should not be lost of the success of the younger EP teams this year.
The U21s won the B Division championship cup for the third year in a row, and secured their place in the A Division next season.
“That means that, come [next year], it will be the first time that EP Rugby will have all three teams playing in the top division of their respective competitions at the same time,” Crous said.