Today, two universities on opposite sides of the world will join forces to host a unique event in celebration and support of student rugby league. The UK’s leading sporting university, LeedsMetropolitanUniversity, and Student World Cup host, GriffithUniversity, will welcome players and coaches from all eight nations participating in the 2008 Student World Cup. The 240 participating players will gather at GriffithUniversity’s Nathan campus at midday for a luncheon provided by LeedsMetropolitanUniversity.

There are 17 students fromLeedsMetropolitanUniversity currently representing four countries in the Student World Cup - England,Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The university is one of the largest universities in the UK with over 52,000 students, and is known throughout the world for its Carnegie Faculty of Sport and Education and pioneering partnerships with professional sports teams and national governing bodies, including the Rugby Football League, Rugby League Ireland, and the current world and Super League champions, Leeds Rhinos. The university’s own rugby league team has won the British Universities National Championship for the last three years, and remain undefeated at home for four years.

As the official education partner of the RFL, the university holds the naming rights for the prestigious Carnegie Challenge Cup and the largest rugby tournament in the world, the Carnegie Champion Schools Tournament. Staff and students are currently celebrating the recent announcement that the university will host the new UK Centre of Coaching Excellence.

The Carnegie faculty is looking to develop relationships with Universities around the world and the function being held at GriffithUniversity today is one of the first of many steps.

Please visit www.leedsmet.ac.ukor contact Gemma Grinsill on g.grinsill@leedsmet.ac.ukfor further information about today’s event.

 
Media Contact:

Travis Meyn – 0418 146 372

Student World Cup Media Manager