Local schoolchildren were some of the first to hear the news that Workington has been successful in its bid to play host to the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.

Among the youngsters at the Carnegie Theatre to hear the live announcement yesterday were some die-hard young rugby league fans who can’t wait to see some of their idols hopefully head to west Cumbria.

Workington’s new stadium will play host to three games in the prestigious competition and although it i not yet known which games will be held here, the excitement is already mounting.

Robbie Joe Worthington, who plays rugby for Maryport ARLFC, is keen to see England in action on his home turf.

The Workington Academy pupil, 12, said he would love to see Sam Burgess walk out at the new stadium.

“It is really exciting and I can’t wait to go to the games,” he said. “I would love to see England play here, or New Zealand and my favourite player is Sam Burgess.”

He was joined by another Workington Town fan and fellow Workington Academy student Sophie White, 13, who was also keen to see some top level rugby league entertainment.

“I go down to all the Workington Town matches and I just think it will be great to have the World Cup here. It’s great for the area and for the sport,” she added.

Pupils from Workington Academy, Ashfield junior, Victoria junior and infant schools, Seaton Academy, St Patrick, St Mary, Beckstone, Distington, Derwent Vale, Seaton junior, Westfield and Northside schools were all invited to attend the event.

Around 200 local children, sportsmen and women, councillors and business leaders packed into the Carnegie Theatre in Workington to watch the announcement as it was broadcast live from Manchester on the BBC.

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Allerdale council, in partnership with Workington Town rugby league club, bid to be a host earlier in the year. The town successfully staged three games in 2013 and played host to the Rugby League World Cup trophy in December 2018. The town also played host to games in the 2016 Four Nations.

Allerdale council is developing plans to build a new 8,000 capacity stadium in Workington which will be used jointly by Workington Town and Workington Reds football club, and which forms part of the bid. The plans include a space for NHS facilities, as well as offices for Sellafield workers and a hospitality suite.

Workington Town chairman Les Smallwood was delighted to see the bid achieve success.

He said: “It’s absolutely massive for Allerdale and for the town. To see all the kids here this morning in blue and white is just fantastic.

“The bid has been going for a couple of years now with everything leading up to today so this is just fantastic.

“It is great for the wider community as well to come and support rugby league.

“The council has worked really hard to support us in the bidding process as have we with them and it’s just important that we come back to the heartlands to play rugby league world cup games.”