Party time at the Stadium

The third leg of the 2013/14 edition of the IRB’s World Sevens Series is just over two weeks away (7&8 December 2013), and the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium is ready to host this prestigious tournament for the third time since being appointed as the host venue from 2011.

“For Nelson Mandela Bay and its people, this annual highlight on the sporting calendar is a great opportunity to showcase our friendly city and its iconic stadium, and it is therefore important that we provide a world-class venue, with top drawer facilities and a brilliant vibe and atmosphere to ensure that the Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens tournament further enhances its reputation as one of the most popular tournaments and venues on the circuit,” said Rian Oberholzer, Access Management’s Managing Director and the appointed operators of the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.

According to management, stadium staff have been hard at work for several months, planning and preparing the immense logistics needed to host an event of this magnitude.

“Over the next few weeks and days planning and preparation will move into overdrive as we embark upon the implementation phase to ensure that every aspect of the groundwork is carried out in the finest detail,” added Oberholzer.

“This is to ensure that the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium – and indeed the entire City – stands ready to deliver a world-class event to the satisfaction of the IRB and SARU, the teams, the players, the sponsors, the Municipality and most importantly, to all the people of the City, the region and indeed the entire Eastern Cape.”

Oberholzer said the stadium was proficient in its delivery, but wanted to excel with each new event to continue to drive its profile as a premier venue.

“We have done this before, and we are confident that we will again deliver the kind of venue that an event of this magnitude deserves. The Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium thrives on the challenge of going bigger and better with each event that it hosts, and it is ready to take up that challenge yet again, as we welcome the Sevens teams of 15 visiting countries as well as our own Blitzbokke to our shores for what promises to be two days of high-intensity, action-packed Sevens Rugby.”

The Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens tournament features the best of international rugby talent and teams as 16 nations engage in fast-paced Sevens combat.

Access CEO, Chantal du Pisani added: “We urge the people of the Nelson Mandela Bay Metro to take the opportunity to come and enjoy this high-speed adaptation of the sport. For as little as R50 per ticket you are guaranteed a full day of enthralling Sevens Rugby, from the world’s best Sevens players – as well as plenty more fun and entertainment over the two days.”

Food stalls, beer tents, and vending facilities will be located all around the stadium and adjacent fields and parks. Live entertainment will be provided by the likes of Jeremy Loops and Friends and also top national deejay outfit, Crazy White Boy.  This is coupled with a customary fancy dress competition and of course the ever-popular and energetic cheerleaders.

Oberholzer emphasized that “ownership” was an important part of seizing the tournament for the city: “We would urge local citizens to make every effort to be at the Nelson Mandela Bay stadium – it’s your stadium and it’s a lifetime opportunity you would, and should, not want to miss.

He added that there are several other “bigger” cities and venues around the country that would jump at the chance to become a host venue for the South African leg of the IRB Sevens and that support would show that the city deserved its host city status.

“We have been chosen to stage this great tournament ahead of many competitors. We really need to demonstrate to the world that Port Elizabeth was the right choice. What better way to do so than by filling the stadium and showing genuine, loyal and enthusiastic Nelson Mandela Bay support for our Springbok Sevens Team and for the tournament? It is most certainly go time!

Du Pisani also added that: “We want to remain the SA city of choice for IRB Sevens for a long time to come; and therefore we need to do our bit to ensure that our support keeps it here. The Cell C Nelson Mandela Bay Sevens is ours to enjoy. Let’s use it…..or else be prepared to lose it.”