• Forty-six children and youth participated in the Rugby World Cup Trophy Tour as it travels to southern Japan on the final leg of its journey.
  • The ChildFund Pass It Back Cup Delivered by DHL is part of World Rugby’s Impact Beyond Programme, which will leave a lasting legacy in Asia as part of Rugby World Cup 2019.
  • The 2nd ChildFund Pass It Back Cup Delivered by DHL helped children and youth from Asian developing countries learn valuable life skills through rugby and experience cross-cultural learning.

Oita, Japan, 1 August 2019: The Webb Ellis Cup, which has travelled to 18 nations as part of an international celebration of rugby, made an appearance at the 2nd ChildFund Pass It Back Cup Delivered by DHL, held in Oita.

Twelve indigenous children from Australia*, 10 young people from communities in Laos, and 22 Japanese youth took part in the four-day program, where they were given the opportunity to learn valuable life skills through rugby, and experience cross-cultural learning.

“As the official logistics partner of the Rugby World Cup 2019, DHL Express is honoured to once again support the ChildFund Pass It Back program with just 50 days to go till D-Day,” said Taketo Yamakawa, President and Representative Director, DHL Express Japan.

“Providing opportunities for young people to learn valuable life skills and understand that they have the ability to overcome life challenges, is very much aligned to our organization’s ethos of Living Responsibly.”

During the ChildFund Pass It Back Cup Delivered by DHL, which was coordinated by ChildFund’s partner Asia Rugby, ChildFund Pass It Back coaches implemented a curriculum focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including sessions on gender equality, ending violence and addressing inequality.

DHL Ambassador and rugby star Shotaro Onishi says: “Having taken part in the first ChildFund Pass It Back Cup Delivered by DHL held in Tokyo, I know from personal experience what a transformative experience it offers for children and youth.

“I’m proud to be associated with a program that is making such a positive difference to children.”

During the ChildFund Pass It Back Cup Delivered by DHL, rugby activities were integrated into the learning program, with the event culminating in a rugby tournament on the final day.

Children and youth also took part in language and cultural exchange activities to strengthen their connections on and off the field.

Ross Mitchell, Asia Rugby’s General Manager, said: “Japan 2019 is set to be the most impactful Rugby World Cup in history. Through events like this, we can use rugby as a tool to give young people life-long skills and knowledge.”

DHL Express is partnering with ChildFund to bring the ChildFund Pass It Back program to more children and youth across the region, giving them the opportunity to learn valuable life skills through sport.

Nigel Spence, CEO of ChildFund, says: “DHL Express values the same attributes which rugby embodies: passion, respect, discipline, integrity and solidarity.

“We are proud to be working in partnership with them to build a new generation of leaders in Asia.”

* ChildFund Australia partnered with the National Aboriginal Sporting Chance Association to enable indigenous children from NSW with the opportunity to participate in this event. We thank the Australia Government and the Australian-Japan Foundation for its generous support.

ChildFund is the principal charity partner of World Rugby for Rugby World Cup 2019, which takes place in Japan from 20 September to 2 November 2019.