Exeter Women’s Rugby World Cup volunteers rewarded with unique pitchside Twickenham final experience

The hard work of two Sandy Park volunteers at the Women’s Rugby World Cup was celebrated in front of a record Twickenham crowd at the recent World Cup Final match between England and Canada.

Tobit Emmens and Colin Searle were volunteers at the Exeter venue. They were at Twickenham as the invited guests of Allwyn, the operator of The National Lottery. They were the sponsor of the Official Volunteer Programme at the tournament and wanted to highlight the essential role that volunteers played in making the Rugby World Cup a success.

Tobit and Colin were two of 14 volunteers chosen to represent the 1,500 volunteers who worked on the five-week tournament across eight venues in England. The 14 were nominated by their peers for going above and beyond in their roles and leaving a positive legacy in their communities.

Allwyn and World Rugby organised a presentation between the bronze and gold medal matches, pitchside of the hallowed Twickenham turf. The volunteers were given mementoes before being presented to the crowd for a moment of appreciation.

Explaining his experience, Tobit, who worked in Tournament Services, said: “It was an exciting event to be part of. I got to transport some really interesting people to and from Sandy Park. I loved hearing the passion of the presidents of the rugby unions, the managers, and the players for the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

“The most special part of it was being at the front of the stadium welcoming 60,000 fans through the doors over the matches that were played in Exeter. Just being part of something big, being behind the scenes, it was a real honour to be part of making this tournament as good as it has been.”

Asked what message he would give to those who have never tried volunteering before, Tobit said: “Don’t hesitate. Whether it’s something small in your local community or something big like a World Cup, if the opportunity arises, do it. You won’t regret it.”

The volunteering programme was supported by Allwyn’s Social Value Fund. Part of Allwyn’s commitment to operate The National Lottery in an environmentally and socially responsible way, the annual £1 million fund supports initiatives that create a positive legacy, enabling individuals and communities to thrive.

Andria Vidler, Chief Executive Officer of National Lottery operator, Allwyn, said: "We’ve seen that one of the most significant amplifiers of the impact of National Lottery funding is the voluntary sector. A key area of focus for us is supporting innovation and learning.

“That is why we were delighted that Allwyn’s Social Value Fund supported World Rugby in delivering a groundbreaking volunteer programme involving over 1,500 passionate individuals, many young people, first-time volunteers, and an impressively high proportion of women.

“These numbers redefined what it means to be a rugby volunteer and signal the power of the sport to engage and inspire a next generation of changemakers. We were delighted to have been able to bring volunteer representatives to the World Cup Final and give them the recognition and thanks they deserve on Twickenham’s iconic pitch. Together, we not only delivered a tournament, we delivered long-lasting impact in Exeter."