DHL to be Official Logistics Partner of Rugby World Cup 2015

DHL to be Official Logistics Partner of Rugby World Cup 2015

·        DHL to provide logistics support before and during the Tournament

·        Agreement builds on successful Rugby World Cup 2011 partnership

and longstanding relationship between DHL and Rugby

·        Webb Ellis Cup to visit former RWC-winning countries en route back

to IRB headquarters in Dublin, chaperoned by Grant Fox

Auckland, October 24, 2013: DHL, the world’s leading express and logistics provider, and the International Rugby Board (IRB) today announced that DHL will be Official Logistics Partner of Rugby World Cup 2015. The partnership will see DHL assume responsibility for the logistics of one of the biggest international sporting events, which will take place in host country England over six weeks in September and October, 2015. DHL will also hand-carry the Webb Ellis Cup onto one of its cargo aircraft in New Zealand on Saturday en route to Australia, in the first leg of a global journey that will visit each of the former holders of the Trophy. The cup will be accompanied by New Zealand rugby legend Grant Fox.

“We are very excited to be joining forces once again with the IRB to deliver Rugby World Cup 2015,” said Tim Baxter, Country Manager, DHL Express New Zealand. “We were proud of the role we played in delivering Rugby to the world in 2011 and look forward to delivering once again in 2015. We are actively involved in Rugby the world over, both through flagship global partnerships such as this one and through our participation in local clubs and grassroots initiatives. We will be working hard behind the scenes to support and match the world class performance that fans will surely be treated to on the pitch. Here in New Zealand, we’ll also be hoping for another All Black triumph in 2015.”

Rugby World Cup Limited Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “We are delighted to be renewing our successful partnership with DHL. The reappointment of a globally renowned brand and a world leader in the logistics industry further underscores Rugby World Cup 2015’s considerable global prestige with the tournament’s commercial programme set to be finalised in record time.”

"We look forward to collaborating with DHL to further the promotion of Rugby around the world as the sporting community looks forward to what promises to be an exceptional England 2015 tournament that will engage and inspire new fans and participants the length and breadth of the host nation and around the world.”

As Official Logistics Partner, DHL will be responsible for the transportation of Tournament and team equipment from around the world to the 13 match venues in England. The equipment to be transported will include, for example, an estimated 1,400 rugby balls, 200 kicking tees and 200 tackle bags. From October 26 to October 30, 2013, DHL will also carry the 4.5kg Webb Ellis Cup on its global network between the four former holders of the Trophy: New Zealand (the current holder), Australia, South Africa and England. The journey will see the Trophy handed over by DHL and Cup Chaperone – legendary former New Zealand player Grant Fox – to former Rugby World Cup winning players from each country for a brief local celebration with fans, It will then be delivered by DHL to Dublin, Ireland on November 17 in time for the inaugural IRB World Rugby Conference.

Grant Fox said: “It’s an honour to be travelling with the Webb Ellis Cup. I intend on taking my role as an honourary DHL ‘on-board courier’ very seriously and rest assured, the cup will arrive safe and sound on 30 October.”

The partnership between DHL and Rugby World Cup 2015 continues a longstanding relationship between DHL and the game of Rugby. DHL was Official Logistics Partner of Rugby World Cup 2011 in New Zealand, and was a naming rights sponsor of the recent 2013 British & Irish Lions Tour of Australia. The company also currently partners with 

Harlequins in England, the DHL Stormers in South Africa, the Irish Rugby Football Union and a number of tournaments within the IRB Sevens World Series. Other initiatives by DHL to support Rugby development around the world have included partnerships with Rugby Federations, tournaments, clubs and school programs as far afield as Fiji, Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Romania, and Canada.

Rugby is the fastest growing sport in the world, played in over 100 countries. A total of 102 million global viewers watched the Final of Rugby World Cup 2011.

ENDS

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