THE Rugby World Cup is on a whistle stop tour of the country – and Lancashire Referees’ Society used it as an opportunity to attract new whistle-blowers to the game.

During the four days the Webb Ellis Trophy was in Lancashire, various referees’ societies attended every event in a bid to recruit new officials.

“The involvement with Sweet Chariot was great fun,” said Manchester Referees’ Society chairman Peter Hughes. “Although we may not have immediately recruited many new referees, Manchester Society's presence could well have sown seeds for the future.

“We certainly presented a positive image of refereeing and hopefully that will pay dividends

“I also found it stimulating to see all the youngsters obviously enjoying themselves at the various events, as were their parents and coaches.

“It was also good to meet several old friends, including Kevin Simms who had played for England in the first Rugby World Cup which was held in Australia and New Zealand in 1987, when Mike Harrison was captain.

“He visited Sweet Chariot at Robin Park, Wigan, and is currently medical officer for Liverpool St Helens. His son is playing mini-rugby at Orrell RUFC.”

Lancashire Sweet Chariot co-ordinator Ernie Neely said: “It has been a great four days. We have attracted many new faces to the game and all the events have been extremely well attended.”

The Webb Ellis Trophy lifted by Martin Johnson after England beat Australia in extra time in Sydney in November is being taken on a four month long Sweet Chariot Tour which include hundreds of events across the country.

The famous trophy was on display all day at Manchester’s Arndale Shopping Centre last Sunday before visiting Fylde, Vale of Lune, Preston and Blackburn on Monday, Liverpool, Widnes and West Park on Tuesday, Manchester, Sedgley Park, Oldham and Wigan on Wednesday, before heading for Cumbria on Thursday.

The RFU hope that the Sweet Chariot tour will help to raise the profile of the sport both in traditional rugby-playing areas and in regions currently under-represented in the sport.

The euphoria that followed the events in Sydney have been underpinned at grassroots level by the RFU's Rugby - Making An Impact strategy aimed at increasing participation and retention in playing, coaching, officiating and administration.

IMPACT, which stands for Inclusion, Modernisation, Partnerships, Appropriate facilities, Club/school links and Training and coaching, is a three-stage blueprint for community rugby in England.

The public were able to have their photograph taken alongside the cup and in front of a backdrop of the Telstra Stadium giving an impression they were actually at the game.

There was also the opportunity to kick for World Cup glory in an inflatable kicking cage, score a try and provide a commentary on the winning drop goal. As well as rugby displays and competitions.

For further details about the Sweet Chariot Tour please contact Dave Barton, RFU Regional Media Manager 07736 517610 davebarton@rfu.com or Michael Vandrau, Activate UK, 07974 733 074 mike.vandrau@activateuk.co.uk

Information about the Sweet Chariot tour is also available on the RFU Community Rugby hotline 0906 6800805 and www.rfu.com