Ex England Captain Backs RugbySpy Ibiza 10's

Your average rugby fan may not automatically think that their beloved sport known for its toughness, its passion and some of the most unsavoury of injuries would make an ideal partner with the Balearic island of Ibiza known for its parties, its lavish lifestyle and its sunshine. But although the link may not be an obvious one, it certainly works.

For a second year in a row World Cup legend and ex England captain Phil Vickery, is once again throwing his weight behind RugbySpy’s ‘Ibiza 10’s’ event. This time around the three days of knockout ten’s rugby will include an additional three sections for elite, veterans and women’s teams to combine the best of rugby with the best of Ibiza.

Once again Ibiza 10’s will be held in the Cans Misses Stadium located just outside of the historic Ibiza Town and with 5,000 rugby fans set to fill the stadium over the three days, Phil Vickery is urging rugby players of all standards and fans to get involved and enjoy some quality rugby and a holiday in the sun. 

With just over a year to go until England host the 2015 Rugby World Cup and only a matter of months until the Women’s World Cup in France, now is as important a time as any, to show support for the game of rugby at all levels, which is exactly what organisers RugbySpy and their ambassadors are advocating. The former prop Vickery, whose company Raging Bull will be providing kit for the tournament, has a huge interest in grass roots rugby having played for Bude and Redruth before starting with Gloucester, Wasps, England and the British and Irish Lions and has outlined Ibiza 10’s as the perfect chance to show people what the sport of rugby is all about.

He said: “Everyone’s idea of Ibiza is the clubs the raves, the money the expense, the glamour and the boats. Let’s go over in 2014 with more to offer, more teams, both women’s and men’s of all experience levels, and show them what our game is about… having a good time but knowing the limits. We can go over there and break down barriers by showing the values the game and the supporters hold dear.”

Recognising the contribution form all levels and areas of the game, Vickery went on to say: “Our sport stands for values, the big society, community, sport, participation… you have got thousands of game makers in rugby up and down the country making pasties, washing kit, cleaning changing rooms, marking lines, providing free taxis, that’s our sport.” This year things will kick off on Friday 6th June and finish on Sunday 8th with games starting from 1:00 pm and play coming to a close in the evening, so that both participants and spectators will have the opportunity to enjoy the gentle Balearic lifestyle during the day and then maybe take advantage of the busy party scene until the early hours.

In an effort to make this year even bigger and better than last, the organisers at RugbySpy have made a change in the schedule, so that after the day’s play has ended, there will be full bar and food facilities, plus music and entertainment at the ground so that both players and spectators can kick back in the cooler evening. To top it all off the finals of the tournament, which will be played on the Sunday, will be followed by a performance from a headline band to bring Ibiza 10’s to the perfect close. 

Last year they welcomed leading professionals such as Jack Cuthbert, Oriol Ripol, Tom Varndell, Chris Mayor, and Chester Williams to the party and joining the festivities in Ibiza this year will be Shane Williams, Sean Holley and Gareth Chilcott.