Foreword by Ray French “Anything you can do, I can do better” - the words of the old Music Hall song might well apply to the views of those who have, over the years, been a part of the development of Student Rugby League. For since its birth in the Sixties, Student Rugby League has led the way for the 13 a side code’s professional arm. National expansion, divisional and elite leagues, and a full, regular international programme have shown the way forward to those who manage affairs at Red Hall and Super League headquarters.

And nowhere has initiative and enterprise been more prominent than in the history of the Student Rugby League World Cup. The students were the first to welcome all the Home Nations of Scotland, Wales, Ireland and England to their prestigious gatherings and were the first to introduce the Pacific Island teams and Japan to their competitions. Indeed, it is highly unlikely that up to 8 of the 21 nations competing in the professional arms Lincoln World Cup 2000 would be on show next year but for their participation in one of the previous four Student World Cups.

Now, The Independent Student Rugby League World Cup 1999 will kick off simultaneously in Glasgow, Cardiff, Belfast and Paris on 3rd October before returning to the heartlands of the 13 a side code for the Final at The Boulevard in Hull. Ambition and innovation have been to the forefront of Student Rugby League and I am sure that the 5th Student Rugby League World Cup will push the barriers back for League even more when the two weeks festival kicks off in October of this year.

Let us all enjoy it.

Introduction by Niel Wood (Director of Student Rugby League)
This will be the fifth Student Rugby League World Cup and the third to be held on these shores. The Student Rugby League are delighted that in October, twelve nations from five continents will travel to Europe to play one game: rugby league. It is also of immense pride for me as Director of Student Rugby League to welcome the tournament to Belfast, the home town of my wife and to Kingston upon Hull, my own birthplace. Co-incidentally, it is also the home town of David Oxley, the Chairman of Student Rugby League, and also of Andrew Cudbertson, one of the founder members of Student Rugby League.

The Independent Student Rugby League World Cup 1999 will kick off simultaneously in four major European cities on Sunday 3rd October. Glasgow, Cardiff, Belfast and Paris will host the pool phases of the games. On 11th October, all the nations will travel to Hull for the semi-final stages and the finals. The tournament will boast the same number of teams as in 1996 but this was at the request of the organisers as there were other applications to attend. We will work towards accommodating those nations at the next World Cup in the new millennium.

The results of Phase 1 will decide which four teams go into the World Cup, the World Bowl and the World Plate. All three of the winners from Warrington 1996 will be back to defend their trophies and in most cases to try to exceed their previous best. Australia are the World Champions and will be fancied to continue in this role. South Africa are the World Bowl holders and they will look to at least reach the World Cup semi-finals, and Wales secured the World Plate after beating Ireland in the final. The Phase 2 games will be concentrated on the traditional rugby league heartland of West and East Yorkshire and one game going over to Warrington Wolves. At this stage, I would like to express my thanks to all the clubs who are hosting these games. They have been very supportive and it will be their enthusiasm that will help draw out the crowds.

A tournament such as this could not go ahead without financial support. I must pay tribute to Dave Hadfield of The Independent, one of the “good guys”. He thought that a partnership between his newspaper and the tournament would be a good fit. He was able to persuade Simon Kelner, the Editor, and the deal was done. I am certain that we will be able to deliver a good tournament for them and to justify their generous investment.

It was also pleasing to see Sir Rodney Walker and Neil Tunnicliffe at the launch, as they have worked tirelessly to secure the funding from the Rugby League International Federation and from Rugby League World Cup 2000 Limited.

Thanks are also due to Hull City Council for their support in hosting Phase 2 as a part of the Hull 700 Celebration. It is true to say that they have been keen and interested from the first approaches and that is growing as the tournament draws closer. Therese Rigg and her staff have been very helpful, and Councillors Petch and Doyle have provided exactly the correct dose of support and encouragement.

In conclusion, I must say that The Independent Student Rugby League World Cup will be a carnival of all that is good about the world-wide community of rugby league. It will be multi-cultural and diverse, but most of all it will be fun. Please join us.

The 1999 World Cup Press Launch
The official press launch of The Independent Student Rugby League World Cup 1999 took place at the Guildhall, Kingston upon Hull on Tuesday 10th August 1999. The speakers were Neil Tunnicliffe (Chief Executive of the Rugby Football League), Dave Hadfield (The Independent), Councillor Brian Petch (Hull City Council), Niel Wood (Director of Student Rugby League), and Sir Rodney Walker (President of the Rugby Football League). Also in attendance were David Oxley, the Chairman of Student Rugby League and Billy Gill of BARLA, as well as the SKY TV cameras and other respected journalists in the game.

Representatives from the four home nations were also evident, and these included three graduates of the SRL who have made the transition to professional status in rugby league and are currently plying their trade in Super League and the Northern Ford Premiership - Brian Carney and Stuart Singleton from the Gateshead Thunder, and Mark Sibson of Bramley.

The launch, in the magnificent splendour of the Guildhall, perfectly whet the appetite for what is to come.