Cardiff youngster Noah Barton could barely contain his excitement after being named as the first Official Mascot for Rugby World Cup 2019, Japan later this year, courtesy of an Official Worldwide partner, Land Rover.
Noah was successfully chosen by a star-studded rugby panel consisting of Rugby World Cup 2003 winner Lewis Moody, and current internationals Anthony Watson, Leigh Halfpenny, George North, and Huw Jones for demonstrating how he embodies the values of rugby during a Land Rover UK organised grassroots festival at Bath Rugby’s training ground, Farleigh House.
After being selected, the Llandaff North youngster was presented with a bespoke ceremonial Rugby World Cup 2019 Land Rover cap, one of nine caps that will be issued to selected mascots from the UK.
Flying to Japan later this year, he will lead Wales out for their opening match against Georgia.
The selection process took part during Land Rover’s Rugby Tour, a grassroots tournament between six affiliate community clubs from Bath Rugby, Glasgow Warriors and Cardiff Blues at Bath’s Farleigh House.
Three mascot places were available on the day as each participant submitted a video explaining why they should be selected. Noah’s strong case demonstrated the values of grassroots rugby; integrity, courage, pride, composure and capability.
With just five months to go until the tournament kicks off, Noah admits he is counting down the days already.
“It’s amazing, I can’t believe I’ll be going out to Japan. I think I will be a bit nervous, but I’ll also be very excited to meet the players. I am a huge Cardiff Blues and Wales fan, so I really hope Wales win.
“At the start of the day I went on camera and explained how I was unable to play sport due to a hip problem and how I’ve overcome it to be part of the team. I never thought I would then be selected.
“It was great to have the rugby players here today to watch us and select the winner, they were very friendly and told me what to expect when we run out.”
As a Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2019 (RWC 2019), Land Rover is recruiting 96 youngsters to win a once in a lifetime opportunity to be a match day mascot at the prestigious tournament in Japan.
Highlighting Land Rover’s commitment to grassroots rugby, 67 youngsters aged between 7-13 years old from Japan and 29 youngsters from other competing nations will be selected to walk out onto the pitch alongside a national team at one of the 48 matches from 20 September to 02 November, 2019.
Land Rover ambassador North admitted that opportunities like the Land Rover Rugby Tour were imperative for promoting rugby at all levels of the game.
“It was great to be part of the Land Rover Rugby Tour and play a part in making Noah’s dream of going to Japan come true. Rugby is a sport built on its values and they are just as important as a player’s ability on the field.
“All players personified those values so it made for a really tough selection process, but we were really impressed by Noah.
“He can relax, with his place on the plane. I will be doing all that I can to get out to Japan and if selected, I’ll look forward to seeing Noah out there.”
Land Rover is a Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2019. To be in with the chance to be a mascot for the Rugby World Cup 2019 visit: https://www.premiershiprugby.com/landrovercompetition
