RWC 2019: Two years out and setting up to engage!

Two years to go until Rugby World Cup 2019 and DHL Japan is already getting psyched up for World Rugby’s main global event

It may still be over two years away, put planning for Rugby World Cup 2019 (RWC 2019) in Japan is already well underway. As a Worldwide Partner and the Official Logistics Partner of RWC 2019, DHL will not only be managing the logistics necessary for event preparation and operation, we will also be engaging fans, customers and employees like never before.

The logistics scrum
Much like a rugby scrum, the logistics behind World Rugby’s main global event is a complex network of interlocking parts that must work together to achieve its goal. It’s an essential element and a game changer. Like any world cup team, DHL is training hard now to deliver peak performance when it counts in the weeks before, during and after RWC 2019. That’s right, we take the field well before the players do, and we’ll be packing things up well after fans head home. That’s why we’re gearing up now across our business in Japan and working closely with the tournament organizing committee, Japan 2019. We want to ensure that all the key positions are covered, from shipping the teams’ freight to Japan from around the world to handling domestic logistics and providing team van support during the tournament to international ticket distribution and more.

One of the many initiatives underway includes specially branded delivery vehicles that are being rolled out across the country, featuring imagery of players from many nations, including Japan, in action during RWC 2015 in England. By the end of 2017, the first batch of 50 vehicles will be out on the road, helping to build awareness of the tournament amongst the public in Japan and spread the message of support across the nation. Many of these vehicles will used for logistics leading up to, during and following the tournament in 2019.

We already have a RWC logistics team in place.

One of the crucial logistics requirements is the transportation of team equipment from around the world into and out of Japan, as well as across the country between team bases and stadia. We have already put a RWC logistics project team in place, seconding experts from across the business in Japan and globally. The team is working closely with Japan 2019 to ensure we meet all operational requirements and logistics needs of the teams and tournament overall.

The ambassadors of rugby
With the Rugby World Cup taking place in Asia for the very first time, we also want to take advantage of this historic moment to raise awareness for the exhilarating sport of rugby. Although not traditionally considered a rugby powerhouse, interest in the sport in Japan is soaring – especially since the team delivered the greatest shock in rugby history when they upset South Africa in a pool match at RWC 2015. The country now boasts the fourth largest population of rugby players in the world. Quite frankly, RWC 2019 has the potential to inspire a new generation of rugby fans in Japan and across Asia.

Rugby World Cup is taking place in Asia for the very first time (…) and has the potential to inspire a new generation of rugby fans in Japan and across Asia.

We are putting a lot of energy into engaging our 1,700 employees nationwide in Japan, encouraging them to become rugby ambassadors over the next two years and beyond. We want them to help drive our event planning activities and build momentum to the tournament in 2019. In addition to recruiting supporters to assist with various events, we’ll be keeping our staff up to date our progress, distributing a “Guide to Rugby,” giving away RWC-branded goodies, and more. By the end of 2017, our goal is to have every employee understand DHL’s role in the tournament and excite as many of them as we can for the event and perhaps even for the sport as a whole.

The longstanding partnership
The partnership between DHL and Rugby World Cup 2019 continues a longstanding relationship between DHL and the game of Rugby. As the Official Logistics Partner of both RWC 2011 in New Zealand and RWC 2015 in England, we had the opportunity to help deliver these tournaments to the world and showcase our strengths and best-in-class service to a global audience. In England, we were responsible for transporting the tournament and team equipment from around the world to and across the country. We delivered over 48 tons of team freight, 1,400 official match balls, and 20 sets of uprights to the 13 match venues, and distributed over 400,000 tickets to more than 160 countries.

Building on this experience as well as our many local rugby partnerships around the world, we are both thrilled and honored to be part of the 2019 team and this historic moment. After watching the country come together to celebrate their team’s extraordinary achievement against South Africa two years ago, we expect equal or even greater levels of enthusiasm and excitement in two years’ time. And that’s why were’ gearing up for it now.

Find out more about our passion for and partnership with the sport of rugby right here on DHL InMotion.

And stay up to date with Rugby World Cup 2019 at www.rugbyworldcup.com.