LIZ Truss or Rishi Sunak will not kybosh this year’s Rugby League World Cup, bosses insist as they unveil its 'Rugbee' mascot.
But they admit it is ‘vital’ the tournament gets off to a good start, with a sold out St James’ Park for the opening game, England v Samoa on October 15, crucial.
One of the two Conservative Party leadership candidates will replace Boris Johnson at 10 Downing Street in the coming weeks – and change is likely in many different areas.
The contest has left chiefs not knowing who they will be dealing with once votes are cast.
However, World Cup chief executive Jon Dutton is adamant support will remain, no matter who is leading the country.
He said: “On September 5, it’ll be the fourth Prime Minister during the tournament’s tenure, which is quite staggering.
“But the Government remains incredibly supportive. The pledges and the promises won’t change.
“We will reach out to the new Prime Minister and any change of Secretary of State and Minister for Sport.
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“But our relationships across Government could not be any stronger.”
World Cup bosses – who have agreed a deal to show the Physical Disability Rugby League tournament on the BBC’s digital platforms and developed a streaming app service – start ramping up their advertising campaign this week.
But they have not lowered sales targets, despite the cost of living crisis. 250,000 tickets have been sold with all England’s group matches – at Newcastle, Bolton and Sheffield United’s Bramall Lane – aiming for full houses.
Newcastle-based amateur club Cramlington Rockets will today receive the last large grant of the CreatedBy scheme with £150,000 and Rugbee, has been unveiled as the push to get as many fans in as possible goes up a notch.
The name comes from the sport and the fact all three finals – men’s, women’s and wheelchair – are in Manchester, whose emblem is a worker bee, in November.
And you can expect to see plenty of the creation as advertising kicks on from Friday, with 75 per cent of the entire promotion budget being spent on TV, radio and billboard adverts in the run up to the opening game.
Dutton added: “Expectations haven’t been tempered down but our job’s been made harder by the challenges people face on their personal finances.
“We’re very mindful of inflation. It seems to be a challenge in many areas but a manageable challenge at this time. We’re still ambitious. We’re on target.”
And revenue director Mick Hogan said: “It’s vital we get off to a really good start.
“All three England group games are on course to sell out and our hospitality sales have already surpassed any previous Rugby League World Cup.
“Both the women’s Euros and Commonwealth Games had significant sales after the opening day, and if people see a sold out St James’ Park, they’ll want to get involved.”
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