Cup funding up for grabs

Marlburians are being encouraged to make the most of a Lotto lolly scramble for Rugby World Cup festival funding, tournament organisers say.

A $9.5 million Lotteries Fund was announced by Government on Wednesday to support community events linked to next year's Rugby World Cup.

Rugby World Cup Marlborough project manager, Susan Witehira, said people already planning events could apply for a bit of extra help, and people with ideas should speak up and see if the funding would make a fantastic idea possible.

New Zealand 2011 Office festival director Briony Ellis said the fund would enable more good ideas to be brought to life.

"There will be plenty of time between games, so we want to encourage both international visitors and travelling Kiwis to take the long way around from one match to the next, and see the country and meet the people."

Applications for the New Zealand 2011 Festival Lottery Fund close on September 17 and the successful applicants will be named in November.

Funding decisions will be made by five prominent Kiwis – Bob Parker, Sharon Hunter, Wally Stone, Bob Harvey and Sir David Gascoigne.

Application forms will be on the Love Rugby, Love Marlborough website (marlborough.govt.nz/LRLM) early next week.

Tell us your ideas for community events as part of the RWC. Email: mailbox@marlexpress.co.nz

- The Marlborough Express

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