09:30 THURSDAY 2 SEPTEMBER, 2010

Tourism New Zealand’s Giant Rugby Ball – measuring 25 metres long and 13 metres high – was officially opened today against a backdrop of one of Australia’s most iconic landmarks – the Sydney Opera House.

The Giant Rugby Ball was officially welcomed onto Australian shores with an historic early morning ceremony between the indigenous peoples of Australia and New Zealand – the Aboriginals and Maori. It will be stationed in Australia for 10 days inspiring visitors about New Zealand and raising awareness of New Zealand as the host country of the Rugby World Cup 2011.

Tourism New Zealand CEO, Kevin Bowler, invited all Australians and visitors to come down to Circular Quay to see and experience the Giant Rugby Ball.

“The Giant Rugby Ball is Tourism New Zealand’s biggest and most anticipated event for 2010, marking the one year countdown to New Zealand’s largest event ever – the Rugby World Cup 2011.”

“The Giant Rugby Ball will be at Circular Quay from 3 to 12 September, where people can enjoy the stunning multimedia tour that showcases the culture, people and landscapes of New Zealand,” he said.

Audio grabs available:

KEVIN BOWLER – Tourism New Zealand CEO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 16:00 EST WEDNESDAY 28 JULY, 2010

As the FIFA Inspection Tour of Australia prepares to come to a close, Australian swimming champion and avid fan of the round-ball code for many years, Ian Thorpe says that a FIFA World Cup™ in Australia in 2022 would be fun, relaxed, safe and secure.

The FIFA inspection team consists of six delegates and is led by Chilean Football Federation President Harold Mayne-Nicholls and includes CEO of 2010 South Africa Local Organising Committee Danny Jordaan, FIFA Head of Event Management Jurgen Muller, FIFA Marketing representative David Fowler, FIFA Competitions representative Julio Avellar and FIFA Media Officer Wolfgang Eichler.

Australia is the third stop on tour of the nine countries that are bidding to host the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup™ tournaments. Today is the last day of the three-day visit.

At the end of the inspection tour, the delegation will submit an objective report to assist FIFA's 24 executive members select a host for the 2022 FIFA World Cup™, which will be announced by FIFA on 2 December 2010 in Zurich.

Ten host cities have been selected as part of the Bid under Australia’s nationwide hosting proposal that will see FIFA World Cup™ matches in six states and territories. Three new stadiums will be built in Perth, Canberra and Blacktown in Western Sydney and nine others upgraded should the Bid be successful, providing a $2.8 billion infrastructure legacy for all sporting codes and generations to come.

All Australians can do their part to help bring the FIFA World Cup™ to Australia – add your name at australiabid.com.au.

Audio grabs available:

IAN THORPE - Australian swimming champion

10:35 EST TUESDAY 27 JULY, 2010

Former Socceroo John Aloisi joined a delegation of FIFA inspectors yesterday as they examined the credentials of Australia’s Bid to win the right to host the FIFA World Cup™ in 2022.

Aloisi relived the night he kicked the final penalty against Uruguay to send the Socceroos to the FIFA World Cup™ for the first time in 32 years.

As he strode in to take the fifth penalty kick in 2005, Aloisi said he was “in the zone” and all he could hear was a “murmur” from the fans before he belted the ball into the back of the net.

“Football has come a long way in this country since then and I really think that night was a turning point,” Aloisi said. “It would be fantastic to have a FIFA World Cup in Australia and we would do a great job if given the chance.”

The FIFA inspection team consists of six delegates and is led by Chilean Football Federation President Harold Mayne-Nicholls and includes CEO of 2010 South Africa Local Organising Committee Danny Jordaan, FIFA Head of Event Management Jurgen Muller, FIFA Marketing representative David Fowler, FIFA Competitions representative Julio Avellar and FIFA Media Officer Wolfgang Eichler.

Australia is the third stop on tour of the nine countries that are bidding to host the 2018 or 2022 FIFA World Cup™ tournaments. They will be in Australia for three days.

At the end of the inspection tour, the delegation will submit an objective report to assist FIFA's 24 executive members select a host for the 2022 FIFA World Cup™, which will be announced by FIFA on 2 December 2010 in Zurich.

Audio grabs available:

JOHN ALOISI – Former Socceroo

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 13:00 EST MONDAY 26 JULY, 2010

Federal Sports Minister Kate Ellis met with the FIFA inspection team who arrived today to examine Australia's credentials to hold the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Ellis talks about how important it is to show off Australia and its ability to stage large events.

Audio grabs available:

KATE ELLIS – Federal Sports Minister