Prime Minister John Key and his Japanese counterpart Shinzo Abe watched a group of young Japanese girls developing Rugby skills at the Auckland Rugby Academy last month, as a part of a training programme initiated by Education New Zealand.
Academy Head Coach Paul Feeney was involved in the training programme, while All Black Conrad Smith and New Zealand Women Sevens Team Captain and Black Fern player Huriana Manuel were present at the event held at Villa Maria Winery in Auckland on Monday, July 7, 2014.
The AIS Group students from Iwami Chisuikan High School, Shimane, Japan, also took time off to visit Rotorua and Hobbiton in North Island.
They are in New Zealand as a part of the ‘Game On English Programme,’ an Education New Zealand initiative.
Skills upgrade
The Japanese Government was keen to find partners to improve the language skills (Japanese and English) and sporting capability among the younger members of the community in the lead up to Rugby World Cup 2019 and Summer Olympics 2020, both of which will be hosted by Japan.
‘Game On English’ combines intensive English Language courses alongside sports training in areas in which New Zealand has expertise. The initial focus is on English + Rugby, with other combinations such as English + Golf, English + Athletics and English + Sailing planned in the near future.
The Iwami Chisuikan High School Women’s Sevens Rugby team was crowned National Champion earlier this year.
The students completed a four-week English language programme (June 29 to July 25) at the AIS English Language Centre and Training. Hosted by AIS Homestay families, the girls are currently working on Rugby skills at the Auckland Rugby Academy.
Unique training
Team member Aoi Kurokawa said that the training programme in New Zealand emphasised on technique and making it an enjoyable experience.
“New Zealand is very different from Japan, but people here made it really easy for me to adapt and feel comfortable. I enjoy being able to communicate freely with people from different backgrounds in class, and the support we received from teachers at AIS was invaluable.”
