REBECCA Newman, the People’s Soprano from York, has released the official 2013 Rugby League World Cup theme song, Heroes To The World.

She also has been involved in helping to create music for the World Cup Dance Project and sang the national anthems live on TV at the Ireland-Fiji match on October 28. She later sang at the Papua New Guinea-Samoa game on November 4 covered by Premier Sports.

Having taken part in the marketing of the World Cup by helping to write and record the song Pass It On for the event’s viral video dance campaign, Rebecca felt that the tournament in England and Wales was lacking an anthem.

“I’d always intended to release Heroes To The World as the first track from my new album but I couldn’t believe it when I realised the tournament would coincide with my promotion of the release,” she says.

“I’ve been showing a song clip on the internet and have been getting an incredible response from people who hear it. I’m also filming with an international award-winning filmmaker to create a music video worthy of such an epic piece of music.”

Written by Chris Nicolaides, Mike Brayn and Rebecca, Heroes To The World was recorded with the City of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra, using an orchestral arrangement by Paul Bateman.

The song has been produced by Gareth Williams, the musical director for the BBC’s Children In Need, who also has worked with Katherine Jenkins, Lesley Garrett and Blake.

Heroes To The World will feature on Rebecca’s Dare To Dream album, a record whose title reflects how her musical career is now a far cry from her days of busking in city centres to finance her university studies in York.

She first sang the song when supporting Russell Watson at the Party in the Park in Burton Agnes, when it received a thumbs-up from the man himself.

Rebecca describes the song as a “rousing anthem with a ‘singable’ chorus that everyone can relate to”. “I’ve been overwhelmed with the fantastic reception it’s received so far,” she says. “This is not stuffy classical music; it has mass appeal and is reminiscent of epic Hans Zimmer film scores, rather than the usual crossover soprano repertoire.”

The song’s appeal comes from the excitement that builds from the moment it starts, suggests Rebecca.

“Although it’s a big song to sing, the chorus is easy to pick up, sounding like a battle cry to spur everyone into action,” she says.

“I’ve been incredibly lucky with the support I’ve received in the Yorkshire area, so wouldn’t it be fantastic if a little soprano from York, could add this song to the famous sporting anthems for the world to hear?”

This autumn Rebecca will undertake a series of preview shows ahead of the album’s release in February. These will include Joseph Rowntree Theatre in York on December 18, with support from Spirit Of Harmony.

Rebecca has sold more than 15,000 albums, performed with Aled Jones and Russell Watson, headlined her own 20-date UK tour and raised £11,000 for her designated charities, Childline and the RNLI. Twenty per cent of the profits from her York concert will go to Childline. Tickets for this 7.30pm event are on sale on 01904 623568, at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk or at rebeccanewman.co.uk

Heroes To The World is available from major download. Ten pence per copy sold goes to the Olympic legacy charity Street Games, set up to bring sporting activities to children in disadvantaged areas of Britain.