Rugby World Cup 2003 (10 October - 22 November 2003)

Australia hosted Rugby World Cup 2003 in October and November at which 20 countries competed in 48 matches across 10 Australian capital cities and regional centres over the six weeks of competition. The Tournament attracted 65,000 international visitors to Australia, of which through Austrade’s Rugby Business Club (RBCA), the Australian government identified international business executives that could be introduced to Australian exporting companies during their visit.

Endorsed by the Australian Rugby Union (ARU), RBCA crated networking opportunities both internationally in the lead up to the Cup and across Australia during the competition.

Key highlights of the program included:

• 47 promotional and networking events were held overseas in the lead-up to the Tournament attracting 3,100 attendees.
• Over 4,000 people attended 15 RBCA branded networking events held in all capital cities (excluding Darwin) and in the regional cities of Gosford, Launceston, Wollongong, Townsville and the Gold Coast. Two RBCA events were hosted by ABL on 22 November in Albury and Port Macquarie.
• Representatives from 50 international companies were business-matched with 391 Australian company representatives during RBCA’s domestic networking events and corporate hospitality opportunities.

Rugby World Cup 2007 (7 September 2007 - 20 October 2007)

Rugby World Cup 2007 was held in France and Wales with Austrade conducting its first BCA program around an international sporting event held overseas. The program consisted of networking events both in France and Australia as well as an industry focussed trade mission to France and Wales to coincide with the tournament. Key highlights included:

• Endorsement by the Australian Rugby Union (ARU) as Australia’s official international business program around Rugby World Cup 2007.
• A high-level business delegation from Montpellier (host city for the Wallabies during RWC 2007) to Sydney accompanied by the Paris Senior Trade Commissioner in March 2007. The BCA RWC 2007 was officially launched at a business dinner in Sydney during the delegation’s visit.
• In the lead up to the Cup, seminars were held in Montpellier and Marseille to promote Australian business capabilities.
• During the tournament, business networking events were held prior to Wallaby matches in association with the relevant regional French Chamber of Commerce with a mix of Australian and French business leaders attending.
• Events in Montpellier (22 September 2007) and in Bordeaux (28 September 2007) attracted the right calibre audience suitable for business matching and networking (150 and 80 attendees respectively).
• 15 Australian businesses joined a Medical and Health mission to France and Wales (and some onto England) to attend one-on-one business meetings and a highly targeted networking event held in Cardiff.
• Austrade’s Health web portal was launched in Montpellier to coincide with the mission.
• A gala dinner at the Australian Embassy in Paris on 17 October was attended by 145 Australian and international business leaders. Key speakers included the Australian Ambassador to Paris, HE Penny Wensley AO, Kirsten Sayers, Senior Trade Commissioner and John O’Neil, Managing Director and CEO, - Australian Rugby Union. The bulk of international guests were from France but also from the UK, NZ, Belgium, Italy, India and Canada.
• BCA was actively involved in other Australian business events and activities such as with the National Australia Bank, Channel Ten and Herbert Event Management.