DHL Express Selects Rugby World Cup 2015 Canadian Youth Leader Representative

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - March 25, 2015) - DHL Express is proud to announce the winner of the DHL Youth Leadership Scrum contest. The unique experience is sending Lucy Black from Fredericton, New Brunswick to represent Canada on the world stage, delivering the Official Match Ball onto the field of play during the Rugby World Cup 2015.

The DHL Youth Leadership Scrum contest was the first of its kind and awarded one Canadian youth and their chaperone the chance to travel to England and Wales. The contest was launched as an opportunity to recognize Canadian youth who show exceptional leadership through sports. Canadians were asked to nominate a child or youth between the ages of eight and 15 who exhibits leadership qualities, promotes the spirit and practice of sport ideals, builds or promotes community values, and has a positive impact on the community.

"We are excited to be giving this opportunity-of-a-lifetime to Lucy Black, an incredible youth who has demonstrated important qualities such as teamwork, leadership and a drive to lead by example," said Andrew Williams, CEO of DHL Express Canada. "On the field, Lucy encourages her teammates regardless of their athletic skill and believes that in order to be your best, you have to give your best. Her compassion and positive spirit also continue off the field, where she volunteers with a number of school clubs and helps other students in need."

In addition to delivering the Official Match Ball to the referee on the field at the Canada vs. Ireland match, Lucy will receive return flights, accommodations, tickets to the Canada vs. Ireland match and the England vs. Fiji opening game and ceremony, and a DHL Rugby World Cup 2015 merchandise kit, including a uniform and ball.

The call for nominations opened on January 14, 2015 and submissions poured in from youth all across the country from neighbours, parents, coaches and referees. Nominations were judged by an expert panel consisting of DHL Express Canada CEO Andrew Williams, Rugby Canada representatives Mark Lemmon, CMO, and former player and Hall-of-Famer, Gareth Rees.

Rugby is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, played in over 100 countries. The Rugby World Cup is the greatest prize in Rugby and one of the world's most admired competitions, having established itself as one of the most important sporting events behind the Olympics and FIFA World Cup.

"Rugby is a game that exemplifies teamwork, leadership, accuracy, passion and a commitment to excellence with a will to win - values that DHL strives to bring to all of our customers, every day," said Williams.

The partnership between DHL and Rugby World Cup 2015 continues a longstanding relationship between DHL and the game of rugby. As the Official Logistics Partner of Rugby World Cup 2015, DHL will assume responsibility for the logistics for 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 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 an estimated 1,400 balls, 200 kicking tees and 200 tackle bags.

Rugby World Cup 2015 will consist of 48 matches played by 20 nations over 44 days. During the Tournament, there will be 920 players and team officials, over 60 citing, judicial and match officials, 6,000 volunteers, 400,000 visitors to the United Kingdom, and an estimated £2.1bn economic impact.

DHL - The logistics company for the world

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. DHL's family of divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With more than 325,000 employees in over 220 countries and territories worldwide, they connect people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including e-Commerce, technology, life science and healthcare, energy, automotive and retail, a proven commitment to corporate responsibility and an unrivalled presence in developing markets, DHL is decisively positioned as "The logistics company for the world".

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 56 billion euros in 2014.