DHL Signs As Logistics Partner Of Rugby World Cup 2015

Express and logistics provider, DHL and the International Rugby Board (IRB) have 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 also hand-carried the Webb Ellis Cup onto one of its cargo aircraft in New Zealand today en route to Australia, in the first leg of a global journey that will visit each of the former holders of the Trophy.

“We are very excited to be teaming up with the IRB again as Official Logistics Partner of Rugby World Cup 2015 in England,” said Phil Couchman, CEO, DHL Express UK. “We have a long history of supporting professional and grassroots rugby around the world. The values of rugby are closely aligned to ours at DHL – teamwork, passion, will to win, and commitment to excellence.

“The prospect of Rugby World Cup 2015 coming to this country is one we are all looking forward to. Our role here in the UK will be to support the tournament and its teams by moving equipment from the globe, whilst also ensuring the main star of the show – the very precious Webb Ellis Cup – arrives safely from New Zealand.”

Rugby World Cup Limited Chairman Bernard Lapasset said: “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, before it is then delivered to Dublin, Ireland, for the inaugural IRB World Rugby Conference.

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 programmes 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.