Dublin – Ireland, Oct 24, 2013: Rugby World Cup Limited (RWCL) has announced the appointment of global logistics giant DHL as a Worldwide Partner of Rugby World Cup 2015 in England.
The announcement furthers the strong partnership between DHL and Rugby’s global showcase event following a highly-visible and successful collaboration for New Zealand 2011.
As Official Logistics Partner, DHL will support England Rugby 2015 with all freight logistics for the 20 participating teams to England and on to the training bases and 13 match venues the length and breadth of the host nation. The equipment to be transported will include an estimated 1,400 balls, 200 kicking tees and 200 tackle bags.
With less than two years to go until England welcomes the world to a nationwide celebration of Rugby and the host nation, DHL has also unveiled details of its special first official tournament assignment – transporting the iconic Webb Ellis Cup from 2011 winners New Zealand to the IRB in Dublin for the official trophy handover ceremony.
Aboard one of the globally-recognised DHL cargo aircraft, the Cup will visit each of the previous Rugby World Cup winning nations from October 26 en route to the international federation’s headquarters in Dublin, stopping off in Australia, South Africa and England before 2011 winning captain and All Black legend Richie McCaw hands the Webb Ellis Cup over to RWCL and IRB Chairman Bernard Lapasset on November 18.
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.”
“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.”
IRB Head of Commercial, Broadcast and Marketing Murray Barnett added: “We are well on track to secure and announce the full Rugby World Cup 2015 commercial programme in record time, which is great for the tournament and great for Rugby at a time when the sport is experiencing unprecedented global profile, participation and commercial appeal.”
Ken Allen, DHL Express CEO, said: “We are very excited to be joining forces once again with Rugby World Cup Limited to deliver Rugby World Cup 2015. DHL sees tremendous synergies between a sport that is built on the character-building values of teamwork, passion and integrity and a will to win and the values that we strive to bring to life every day for our customers.”
“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 community 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.”
Debbie Jevans, England Rugby 2015 CEO, added: “Rugby is at the heart of all our planning and we are committed to providing the 20 teams with the best possible environment in which to train and play. Efficient and reliable logistics support is therefore integral to the success of the tournament. We are pleased that DHL, global leaders in the logistics industry with a proven track record at Rugby World Cup and established links in the game, will continue their long standing partnership with Rugby World Cup Limited. We look forward to working with DHL to deliver an exceptional tournament.”
The announcement follows the appointment of Heineken, Land Rover and Société Générale as Rugby World Cup 2015 Worldwide Partners, Gilbert as Official Ball Supplier, Canterbury of New Zealand as Official Sportswear Supplier and Clifford Chance as Official Law Firm.
Webb Ellis Cup handover: From October 26 to 30 2013, DHL will deliver the 4.5kg Webb Ellis Cup between the four former holders of the trophy: New Zealand (reigning champions); Australia; South Africa and 2015 hosts, England. The journey will see the trophy handed over by DHL and Cup chaperone –New Zealand’s Rugby World Cup 1987 winner Grant Fox – to former Rugby World Cup winning players from each country, before arriving in Dublin for the official handover ceremony to the IRB at the inaugural IRB World Rugby Conference and Exhibition on November 18, where 2011 winning captain Richie McCaw will present the Webb Ellis Cup to the IRB.
DHL and Rugby: The partnership between DHL and Rugby World Cup 2015 continues a longstanding relationship between DHL and 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 HSBC 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.
About Rugby World Cup: Rugby World Cup is the financial engine behind unprecedented investment and growth in Rugby worldwide. The net Rugby World Cup surplus from the commercial success of France 2007 and New Zealand 2011 has enabled the International Rugby Board to invest more than £150 million in the Game between 2009 and 2012 and commit an anticipated injection of more than £180 million between 2013 and 2016 to underwrite a large range of major funding initiatives including annual national Union grants and strategic investments focusing on growing participation and increasing competition across all 117 national Member Unions affiliated to the IRB.
About England 2015: Rugby World Cup 2015, hosted in England between 18 September and 31 October, will be a celebration of Rugby and its unique character-building values, exciting and inspiring the nation and the world to play and support the Game. England Rugby 2015 are the Organising Committee for Rugby World Cup 2015 and will deliver the six week tournament, hosted in 10 English cities and in Cardiff, Wales. 13 Match Venues will play host to the 48 games that will celebrate and engage over 2.5million spectators, including over 400,000 international travelling fans.
DHL – The Logistics company for the world: DHL is the global market leader in the logistics industry and “The Logistics company for the world”. DHL commits its expertise in international express, air and ocean freight, road and rail transportation, contract logistics and international mail services to its customers. A global network composed of more than 220 countries and territories and about 285,000 employees worldwide offers customers superior service quality and local knowledge to satisfy their supply chain requirements. DHL accepts its social responsibility by supporting environmental protection, disaster management and education.
DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL. The group generated revenue of more than 55 billion euros in 2012. —- IRB
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