Rugby World Cup 2003

AUSTRALIA - The Rugby World Cup was the largest sporting event of 2003. The opening ceremony was a lavish affair with over 2000 performers and musicians. A crew of over 300 professionals and volunteers worked for over 12 months to create a performance that captured the spirit of Rugby World Cup not only for the 83,000 people in the stadium but for over an estimated 1 billion television viewers worldwide.

Nick Eltis, Ceremonies Technical Director, specified a Clear-Com Matrix Plus system to facilitate the smooth running of the entire event. "I decided on the Matrix as it was a system known to me, and provided a stable platform for the management of show communications. The flexibility of the Matrix, combined with the enhanced coverage of The PA People’s radio system allowed us to have communications across the entire Olympic precinct."

The heart of the system was the Compact 72 frame with FOR-22 interfaces controlling 12 channels of simplex radio channels used by the various departments, CCI-22 interfaces with 20 drops of party line for follow spots, sports presentation and stage managers. Duplex radio bases, all in constant transmit, were connected directly to the ports (four 4-wire connections to the host broadcaster and two to the house video control.)

FM transmitters where set up as an oversized IFB system that allowed cast to hear program sound as well as choreography callers from the control rooms. The system also allowed stage managers to talk to the hundreds of crew moving sets and props around the arena. Over 2000 FM receivers were used.

Department heads, operators and callers all used various key stations to control the event. These included ICS-2003, ICS- 92, and I-stations - A total of 24 panels (more than the Opening Ceremony of the Olympics). All of the communications system from key stations to radio bases was backed up by UPS power.

The PA People were contracted to supply the communications equipment. Scott Davidson (Hire Manager) and Ian Anderson (Freelance Systems Engineer) put together a system that not only worked well technically but also provided a flexible solution for the users. The support of Jeff MacKenzie at Jands Electronics ensured the system was suitable for the event.