The Arrival of Rugby

This month sees the Club launch its inaugural rugby program for youngsters.

Japan is in the grip of rugby fever. After the national team’s historic performance at last year’s World Cup in England, which included a shock win over powerhouse South Africa, the sport is finally in the spotlight.

With Japan set to host the next World Cup, in 2019, the Club kicks off its first rugby program for youngsters this month. The class will be taught by experienced English coach Roy Yorke, who has been involved with the sport for around 30 years.

“My dad used to play rugby, and one of my earliest memories is hanging out at his club and going to rugby matches at the weekend,” says the Norfolk native. “Later on, it was my dad who got me into playing.”

After moving to Japan six years ago, Yorke, 36, joined a local rugby union side, the Tokyo Crusaders. “There are a number of non-Japanese-based clubs in Tokyo and plenty of chances to get involved, either as a player or a volunteer who helps running the club,” he says. “It’s also a great way to make good friends.”

According to Yorke, the approach to the game is different in Japan from back home. “Here, they have a much less confrontational style of play,” he says. “People really don’t like unnecessary aggression. They also have what they call ‘no side,’ which means that once the final whistle blows, the two teams forget about what happened on the field. There’s a great respect for the other side and the referee.”

Yorke, who is licensed with the English Rugby Football Union to coach children, played regularly until two years ago, but now prefers to introduce the next generation of players to the game.

“My dad helped start a junior rugby program at his club, so you could say I’m following in his steps,” he says. “Currently I’m coaching at the Rugby Park Japan, a sort of academy for elementary school- and junior high school-age kids. Many institutes don’t have a rugby team and other rugby schools only have training sessions on Sunday. So we give them a chance to train even during the week.”

Yorke says he has been surprised by the recent explosion in interest in rugby in Japan, which boasts more than 115,000 players. “More students than ever are coming to Rugby Park Japan,” he says. “And with all these kids having an early exposure to rugby, it will hopefully drive the standard up in future years.”

The Club’s weekly program offers an introduction to the sport for ages 6 to 12. “The emphasis will be on safety and fun, focusing on touch-and-tag rugby, which is a no-contact form of rugby,” Yorke says. “The kids are going to enjoy playing, without the fear of getting hurt.”

Yorke touts both the health and personal development benefits of a sport played in more than 100 countries. “Rugby has an established set of core values—respect, discipline, sportsmanship—that hopefully the kids will take away from this class,” he says. “And let’s not forget it’s a really fun game to play.”

Youth Rugby
Sun
Apr 10–Jun 5     
¥18,900 (excludes 8 percent consumption tax)

Words: Gianni Simone
Photo: Steve Morin