FIFA fever hits New Zealand Cup and Show Week

17 October 2008

Christchurch will be buzzing with excitement this year as FIFA fever hits town during New Zealand Cup and Show Week.

The first ever FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup is set to kick off at Christchurch’s QEII Park on 29 October with semi-finals playing out on Thursday 13 November, in amongst the action of New Zealand Cup and Show Week.

The football world has embraced its newest tournament and FIFA staff have praised local organisers for their preparations.

Christchurch Regional General Manager for FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup Anne Hindson, says Christchurch is more than ready for an event of this magnitude.

“After a successful men’s FIFA U-17 World Cup here in 1999, the facilities have been brought up to scratch with some refurbishments which will be required for other major events scheduled for Christchurch in the next few years,” says Hindson.

“It should be a fantastic spectacle with Christchurch hosting some of the most entertaining teams including Brazil, Germany, North Korea and the two African qualifiers Nigeria and Ghana.”

Powered by 1200 volunteers (200 plus in Christchurch), the 16-team tournament will feature the very best in emerging women’s talent.

The tournament provides an opportunity to showcase Christchurch with more than 150 countries holding the broadcasting rights and an estimated television audience of around 125 million.

“The FIFA committee are most impressed with the venue and its compactness. We’re expecting to see over 25,000 spectators come through our gates over the four days of the semi-finals,” said Hindson.

Christchurch City Council Events Development Manager Jo Blair, says the timing couldn’t be better for the FIFA semi finals and will make visitor’s experience of New Zealand Cup and Show Week even more dynamic and memorable.

“FIFA will give New Zealand Cup and Show Week its international flavour. The quality and range of events during Cup Week is right up there in terms of scale and so vast that it’s going to be a really exciting time to be in Christchurch.”

The fight for the FIFA U-17 World Cup will be battled out from October 28 – November 16, with quarter finals taking place in Wellington and Hamilton before the semi finals in Christchurch then the final at North Harbour Stadium.

New Zealand Cup and Show Week events start Friday 7 November with football tricks and tips demonstrated at the free public event Central City Chic in the High Street Stewart Plaza, from midday.

Check out www.nzcupandshow.co.nz for more information.

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