RUGBY League World Cup 2013 has announced the appointment of Grand Visionary Solutions to lead the initial stage of the official dance programme. The RLWC2013 Dance Programme is supported by Arts Council England and is the key element of a series of cultural events planned around the tournament.
Organisers are currently in discussion with various other individuals and bodies to introduce other elements to the wider RLWC2013 culture programme; however dance will be the central part. The culture programme is one of five community initiatives to be delivered by RLWC2013.
June Gamble and Gwen Van Spijk of Grand Visionary Solutions have over 45 years combined experience in delivering dance and large scale public engagement projects. Recent projects include leading The Boat Project as part of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad. They will be working with RLWC2013, Arts Council England, and the host consortiums which will include local sports and arts organisations, as well as dance agencies and dance artists.
RLWC2013 Marketing Manager, Mark Foster said: “RLWC2013 will be much more than just an international sporting event and we recognise we have a responsibility to our host communities.
Many of our community initiatives will therefore provide life-changing experiences. The opportunity to dance before a RLWC2013 game and in front of a capacity crowd can’t be underestimated as a way of providing inspiration for civic pride in those communities. Details regarding all of RLWC2013 community initiatives will be announced in the near future.”
Grand Visionary Solutions’ Gwen van Spijk said: “The RLWC2013 Dance Programme will provide a wonderful opportunity for communities across England, Wales and beyond, to celebrate Dance and make it a key element of the next major sporting event to be held in the UK.”
Arts Council England’s Area Executive Director for the North, Sarah Maxfield, said: “The Arts Council is really pleased to be supporting this initiative. London 2012 demonstrated to the world the power of cultural celebrations linked to sport. This project brings that creative spirit to RLWC2013. People living near the host venues will be able to get involved in an exciting dance project with pre-game pitch performances and spectators will also be inspired by a world class dance commission as part of the opening ceremony at the Millennium Stadium.”
