An eight-year-old rugby fan has secured the opportunity of a lifetime to be part of the Rugby World Cup in September this year. 

Valaimatagi Lam will present the rugby ball for the match between Samoa and Russia during the World Cup in Japan, thanks to D.H.L. Express. 

The company kicked off its #Go Forward Contest, Delivered by DHL contest to give one lucky child the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of delivering an official match ball at the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan earlier this year.

D.H.L. representative, Mark Komene, was in Samoa recently to check the Samoa Rugby Union on their preparations for the World Cup and to also see Ms. Lam.

"It's an opportunity you can't buy," Mr. Komene said.

"You have to win it through D.H.L. and it's part of the global sponsorships where we send different children from all over the world to win the delivery match ball to present in the Rugby World Cup."

Ms. Lam will be provided accommodation in Japan, return airfare and financial support including expenses for her grandmother, Iuni Vae'au, who will accompany her.  

Ms. Lam attends Samoa Primary School and is in Year 4. She looks forward to the opportunity and is proud to represent Samoa in a world event especially as she is a huge rugby fan.

Her grandmother, Mrs. Vae'au, is excited at the opportunity as she always witnesses her daughter play rugby at her home with her father.

"Our Lam family is also  a rugby-oriented family so we're really excited to represent Samoa in a world arena," she said.

Mr. Komene said Ms. Lam will be trained by the DHL team on how to present the ball.