Golden Oldies 2010

The world’s biggest rugby Festival will return for the second time to Sydney in 2010.

Up to 6,000 participants from 18 countries are expected for the 18th Air New Zealand Golden Oldies World Rugby Festival in Sydney from 26 September to 3 October 2010.

The event

The Golden Oldies Movement provides active sporting participation for those 35 years and over and has been thriving for nearly three decades. It will be the fifth time that the biennial Festival has been staged in Australia and the second time in Sydney, last held there in 1983.

Organisers expect over 200 teams from 18 nations to attend the week long Festival that will be based at the Centennial Parklands.

The Centennial Parklands will house more than 30 rugby fields for the Festival’s three playing days.

Most of the teams will be housed around the Darling Harbour area, with the Parade of Nations to commence at the Sydney Town Hall and the Welcome Cocktail Party at the Sydney Entertainment Centre. The midweek picnic day will be held in the picturesque Hunter Valley wine region and culminating in the seated Finale Banquet at the Sydney Convention Centre.

The Festival Director will be Allan Forno, current chairman of the Australian Rugby Golden Oldies organisation, and the Festival Ambassador will be former Wallaby captain Mark Ella.

The Festival has the active support and endorsement of John O’Neill, the CEO of the Australian Rugby Union and Chairman of Events New South Wales. New South Wales Rugby, New South Wales State Government, Tourism New South Wales and the Lord Mayor of Sydney have also pledged their support.

The Golden Oldies Movement

The key mantra for the Golden Oldies sporting Movement, which incorporates biennial world Festivals for rugby, netball, hockey, cricket and football, is Fun, Friendship and Fraternity.

The Golden Oldies Movement offers the opportunity for people keep a level of fitness and at the same time retain and grow friendships. And it also offers the vehicle for people to remain in rugby – and for those schools, clubs and rugby organisations to take advantage of that experience.

The Golden Oldies World Rugby Festivals has been held biennially in cities such as Long Beach, Sydney, London, Auckland, Toronto, Perth, Dublin, Christchurch, Vancouver, Cape Town, Adelaide, Toulouse, Brisbane, San Diego, Wellington and this year in Edinburgh.

Air New Zealand has a proud history of supporting Golden Oldies Rugby and has helped champion the Golden Oldies Movement and its community since its inception back in 1979.

Further information

While information on this event, as well as impacts upon Centennial Parklands and its visitors will be placed on this website as details are confirmed, you can find out more information about the Golden Oldies Movement and this event through the Golden Oldies Sports website.

Media enquiries about this event can be made through: Terry Smith, PR & Media Director, (02) 9452 3760 or sybillas@bigpond.com