London Borough of Hounslow Trophy Tour
15th September 2015
The London Borough of Hounslow, as part of the official 100 Days to go Trophy Tour hosted the World Cup Trophy at their 'Be Inspired' festival, a free family fun-day for the local community.
Hounslow Mayor Councillor Nisar Malik and Councillor Stever Curran, Leader of Hounslow Council welcomed World Cup winners Will Greenwood (England M
en's World Cup winner 2003) and Marlie Packer (England Women's World Cup winner 2014), along with the World Cup Trophy to the event.The 'Be Inspired' festival included a parade of nations with around 200 schoolchildren from 12 primary schools taking part. R'n'B legend Billy Ocean was the main musical draw at the event, performing many of his classic hits.
Grasshoppers Rugby Club provided some rugby activation with a kicking challenge. All successful kicks by children were rewarded with their own miniature rugby ball. Harlequin Ladies, Old Isleworthians and the RFU were also on hand to help with games in the blow up pitch area as part of the Hounslow Rugby Development Group, set up especially to focus on the legacy the World Cup will have in Hounslow.
Paul Dunham, Chair of Junior Rugby at Grasshoppers, said of the day: "it has been an
amazing day with nearly 10,000 residents of Hounslow borough comingto enjoy the Be Inspired festival and have their picture taken with the trophy. We are very honoured to be here and have hopefully inspired some visitors to come to the club and have a go at rugby. As part of the Hounslow Rugby Development Group, it's also been great working alongside our neighbouring clubs of Old Isleworthians and Harlequin Ladies, and shows you can put the on-field competitiveness to one side. We are all here, working together to help grow and develop the game of rugby."The RFU even allowed Ruckley, the Kids Rugby First
mascot, out for the day to encourage the younger generation. Ruckley helped with the activities on offer, although was put through his paces during the mascot race, being out sprinted by the Brentford Bees mascot. 
