Rugby World Cup commemorative book launched

A book which journals the Rugby World Cup in the North East has been released. Covering all that took place in and around host cities in the North, the book - called ‘Inspiring a generation’ - captures key moments from the tournament. It includes the trophy tour, Fanzone, Legends game and matches in the city, as well as unique behind the scenes footage. Following the success of the official ‘Behind the Scenes’ Tour De France book, photojournalist Jude Palmer was commissioned by the Legacy and Activation Group for the RFU in the North, to produce a similar record of Newcastle and Leeds’ involvement in the Rugby World Cup. Jude’s pictures convey the passion and spirit of the game, and all that took place in and around the host cities during the summer. She worked for over six months capturing the events, the people and the matches that took place in the North. The book starts its journey in July when the Webb Ellis Trophy arrived in the region and was taken up Scafell Pike with Bill Beaumont, Chairman of the RFU. It then goes on to tell the story of grass roots rugby, capturing some of the regions Festival of Rugby events, the clubs, the matches, action images of iconic players together with pictures of the first ever Mixed Ability World Tournament that was held in Bradford in August. Jude is not a technical photographer or even a sports photographer…but she can capture a moment! All that matters to her -  a picture that tells a story with emotion and intensity– perhaps the picture that others miss in favour of the more obvious predictable shot. Robin Wannop, Chairman of the Northern Legacy and Activation Group commented: “We were delighted when Jude said that she would produce ‘Inspiring a Generation’ for us.  As far as we are aware no other region has recorded the Rugby World Cup in their area in this way but we now have a fantastic record of how the rugby family came together over the summer of 2015, to enjoy all that is great about the game. The tournament was a huge success in inspiring youngsters and celebrating all that is good in our local clubs, where a lot of hard work goes on week in week out for everyone’s enjoyment. And with Jude’s book, we have a snapshot of just how much pleasure, friendship, emotion and enjoyment Rugby brings  to so many not just in the region but across the world.” The secure your copy of this unique commemorative journal, visit Jude Palmer's website, with 50% of proceeds going into grassroots rugby across the North of England (including through the Newcastle Falcons Community Foundation) - a fitting legacy to the Rugby World Cup in Newcastle.