VISA Announce Sponsorship of U21 World Cup
As a complement to its highly successful global Rugby World Cup sponsorship, Visa, this year, will be the associated Sponsor of the IRB Under 21 World Cup.
As a complement to its highly successful global Rugby World Cup sponsorship, Visa, this year, will be the associated Sponsor of the IRB Under 21 World Cup which takes place in the Oxfordshire region of England from June 13th to 29th, 2003.
Commenting on the sponsorship, Tom Shepard, Executive Vice President said, “The young men taking the field during this tournament are the future representatives of their senior national sides. Our sponsorship of this unique event reflects Visa’s strong commitment to the future of the game of Rugby. We are proud to be the sponsors of this year’s IRB U21 World Cup.
To further support the IRB U21 World Cup, Visa will work with its team of world-class international Rugby Ambassadors – Gavin Hastings, Zinzan Brooke, John Eales and Francois Pienaar – to help popularise and publicise the event in participating nations around the world. The four outstanding former players are working with Visa to help bring the passion, power and teamwork of rugby to fans worldwide.
The IRB U21 World Cup has been the proving ground for future national sides featuring no fewer than 156 players who have gone on to win full international caps.
Competing teams are: South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, France, Italy, Argentina, Canada and Japan.
The IRB U21 tournament, which will be hosted by England’s Rugby Football Union (RFU), begins with pool matches on the 13th of June. Defending champions South Africa will take on Ireland in the opening game.