Supporters have the chance to give Warren Gatland and his unbeaten squad a well deserved “thank you” for bringing the most sought after prize in European rugby home to Wales in style last March.
The star-studded bash also features performances by the Welsh X-Factor star Rhydian Roberts and world renowned singer Heather Small and, with a top celebrity host and other Welsh stars like Katherine Jenkins appearing at the event via big screen video messages, Wales latest rugby heroes will be given a day to remember.
Entry will be free, so that as many people as possible can join the fun and salute the 2008 Grand Slammers just days before they embark on their two-Test summer tour to the home of World Champions South Africa.
All members of the victorious squad will be there in person and the show will feature interviews with the men who matter like Gatland, captain Ryan Jones and RBS Six Nations Player of the Tournament Shane Williams played out live on specially erected big screens as the Millennium Stadium converts to theatre mode with its unique Arena curtain fully operational.
Stereophonics will be the final act on stage performing a short three or four song set for the climax of the afternoon’s entertainment with gates opening at the Millennium Stadium at approximately 2.00pm – although the full running order for the day is to be finalised once the full show line-up has been announced.
Feeder return to their Welsh roots to back Gatland’s superstars and singer Heather Small will pay her own musical tribute to the squad, whilst Rhydian will be living out his boyhood dream as he sings at the Millennium Stadium for the first time.
The Northern Hemisphere champions will be joined by the Wales 7s, Women’s and all the Age Grade squads to celebrate one of the most successful Welsh international seasons on record, which saw national teams across all levels lose just three matches in 23 outings.
Welsh rugby’s divisional champions from across the leagues will be there as well to be honoured for their successes and the celebration will also feature big screen video clips behind the scenes of Wales’s campaign. More names from the star studded line-up will be announced closer to the event.
“This is the opportunity for the supporters to salute the players and coaches who delivered so many victories for Wales this past season,” said WRU Group Chief Executive Roger Lewis.
“We were determined that entry would be free because we want as many people as possible to show their appreciation and we would particularly like to thank each of the many high profile music and entertainment acts that have shown already shown their support.
“We know how popular rugby is in Wales and how the sport permeates through everyone’s daily lives and this event is being put on very much through popular demand. It is easy to take for granted or to forget the power of the game we love to capture the imagination of the nation, but the reaction to Warren Gatland’s success this season will live long in the memory.
“Next Bank Holiday Monday will be a day for rugby lovers, music lovers and anyone who is proud to be Welsh or passionate about sport in Wales.
“Every rugby club in Wales will have access to the free tickets so the message to fans who want to join the party is get out to your local club quickly as demand for this event is expected to be particularly high.”
Tickets for the event are available from this Friday (16 May) to personal callers from any of the 241 WRU member rugby clubs or four Regions, from the official WRU shop at the Millennium Stadium’s Gate 3 and the Ticketline UK shop on Cardiff’s Westgate Street, with a six ticket per person limit.
A list of the regions and clubs which will have free tickets available on a first come first served basis to the Grand Slam ’08 Champions Celebration from Friday is:
Cardiff Blues, Newport Gwent Dragons, Ospreys, Llanelli Scarlets, Aberaeron, Aberavon Green Stars, Aberavon Quins, Aberavon, Abercarn, Abercrave, Abercwmboi, Abercynon, Aberdare, Abergavenny, Abertillery, Aberystwyth, Aberystwyth University, Alltwen, Amman United, Ammanford, Baglan, Bala, Bangor, Normal College, Bangor, Bangor University, Banwen, Bargoed, Barry, Beddau, Bedlinog, Bedwas, Bethesda, Bettws, Betws, Birchgrove, Blackwood, Blaenavon, Blaengarw, Blaina, Bonymaen, BP Llandarcy, Brecon, Bridgend Athletic, Bridgend, Bridgend Sports, Briton Ferry, Brynamman, Bryncoch, Brynithel, Brynmawr, Builth Wells, Burry Port, Bynea, Caernarvon, Caerphilly, Caldicot, Canton, Cardiff HSOB Quins, Cardiff Medicals, Cardiff, Cardiff University, Cardigan, Carmarthen Athletic, Carmarthen College, Carmarthen Quins, Cefn Coed, Cefn Cribbwr, Cefneithen, Chepstow, Cilfynydd, Colwyn Bay, Corus (Port Talbot), Cowbridge, Croesyceiliog, Cross Keys, Crumlin, Crymych, Crynant, Cwmavon, Cwmbran, Cwmgors, Cwmgwrach, Cwmllynfell, Cwmtwrch, Denbigh, Deri, Dinas Powys, Dolgellau, Dowlais, Dunvant, Ebbw Vale, Fairwater, Felinfoel, Ferndale, Fishguard & Goodwick, Fleur de Lys, Furnace United, Garndiffaith, Gilfach Goch, Glais, Glamorgan Wanderers, Glyncorrwg, Glynneath, Gorseinon, Gowerton, Gwernyfed, Haverfordwest, Hendy, Heol y Cyw, Hirwaun, Kenfig Hill, Kidwelly, Lampeter College, Lampeter Town, Laugharne, Llandaff North, Llandaff, Llandeilo, Llandovery, Llandudno, Llandybie, Llanelli, Llanelli Wanderers, Langefni, Llangennech, Llangwm, Llanharan, Llanhilleth, Llanidloes, Llanishen, Llantrisant, Llantwit Fardre, Llantwit Major, Llanybydder, London Welsh, Loughor, Machen, Maesteg Celtic, Maesteg Harlequins, Maesteg, Merthyr, Milford Haven, Mold, Monmouth, Morriston, Mountain Ash, Mumbles, Nant Conwy, Nantyffyllon, Nantyglo, Nantymoel, Narberth, Neath Athletic, Neath, Nelson, New Dock Stars, New Tredegar, Newbridge, Newcastle Emlyn, Newport HSOB, Newport, Newport Saracens, Newtown, Neyland, Oakdale, Ogmore Vale, Old Illtydians, Old Penarthians, Pembroke Dock Quins, Pembroke, Penallta, Penarth, Penclawdd, Pencoed, Pentyrch, Penygraig, Penygroes, Pill Harriers, Pontardawe, Pontarddulais, Pontllanfraith, Pontyates, Pontyberem, Pontyclun, Pontycymmer, Pontypool, Pontypool United, Pontypridd, Porth Quins, Porthcawl, Pwllheli, Pyle, Resolven, Rhigos, Rhiwbina, Rhydyfelin, Rhyl, Rhymney, Risca, RTB Ebbw Vale, Rumney, Ruthin, Senghenydd, Seven Sisters, Skewen, South Wales Police, St Albans, St Clears, St David’s, St Joseph’s, St Peter’s, Swansea, Swansea University, Swansea Uplands, Taffs Well, Taibach, Talywain, Tenby United, Tondu, Tonmawr, Tonna, Tonyrefail, Trebanos, Tredegar Ironsides, Tredegar, Treherbert, Treorchy, Trimsaran, Trinant, Tumble, Tycroes, Tylorstown, Usk, UWIC, UWIN, Vardre, Waunarlwydd, Welshpool, Whitland, Wrexham, Ynysddu, Ynysybwl, Ystalyfera, Ystrad Rhondda, Ystradgynlais.
