So a bit belatedly I’m reporting on the end of the extravaganza that was called the Rugby World Cup 2015. That New Zealand won was almost a foregone conclusion, and except for their first game against Argentina at Wembley which was my first game as a member of the Pack, the volunteers who performed the same role as the Gamesmakers at the Olympics, they were pretty much invincible.

I attended the two matches at Wembley, the aforementioned NZ game and the Ireland-Romania game a week later. I thought this was a bit of a waste of all the training and free uniform, so when they asked for volunteers to attend more matches at Twickenham, I offered my services and agreed to go to matches: the 2nd semi-final Australia and Argentina having a fine match with the Aussies coming out the winners. But before that my name was entered into a draw for tickets to watch the first semi final between South Africa and New Zealand, and I won a £150 ticket! Admittedly up in the gods but at least I was there in the flesh. Then the following Saturday I was at Twickenham for the final as a member if the Pack. It was a long, tiring day but worth the effort. I was again inside and just outside the stadium helping spectators in all sorts of ways, using booklets and brochures given to us. Luckily after the kick off we were able to watch most of the match either through one of the stadium entrance tunnels or in the ‘Third Half’ a Heinekin bar with multiple TV screens but no seats so we had to sit on the floor to have a break.

All in all it was a fantastic experience and one I wouldn’t mind repeating. Unfortunately the next RWC in 2019 is in Japan. A long way to commute! I’m sure there will be other volunteer programs to enter so I’ll look out for them.