Rugby School Japan was proud to partner with Kashiwa City in celebrating its 70th anniversary by hosting “Try the future Kashiwa-no-ha at Rugby School Japan” on Saturday, October 26th. This special event welcomed local elementary school students (grades 3-6) to our campus, immersing them in the world of rugby and global cultures.
As a proud member of the Kashiwa community, we were delighted to provide this opportunity for young people to experience the excitement of rugby firsthand. With expert guidance from coaches from our partners, NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu, students learned essential rugby skills like passing , ball handling and footwork. They also had the chance to learn and perform the “Kashiwa Haka,” a powerful Maori dance with a special connection to our city.
The “Kashiwa Haka” originally was a gift from Karl Pokino, a Maori rugby coach from Auckland, New Zealand, who was deeply touched by the warm welcome he received from Kashiwa’s children during a coaching visit. Inspired by their hospitality and eagerness to learn about his culture, he composed “NAU TE ROUROU KA ORA AI TE IWI” (“Let’s live together by joining forces”) specifically for the city. This unique haka was presented to Kashiwa in 2019 and beautifully symbolizes the friendship between Kashiwa and New Zealand. It even garnered international attention when students performed it for the All Blacks during their 2019 World Cup training camp in Kashiwa.
Beyond rugby, students embarked on an interactive tour of our campus, answering questions about different cultures and broadening their global awareness. And of course, no celebration is complete without delicious food! A locally-sourced lunch featuring hamburgers from a popular Kashiwa restaurant was enjoyed by all.
“Try the future Kashiwa-no-ha at Rugby School Japan” was a resounding success, thanks to the collaborative efforts of Kashiwa City, NEC Green Rockets Tokatsu, and also our wonderful staff here at RSJ. Witnessing the students’ enthusiasm for both rugby and cultural exploration was truly inspiring. To further mark this special occasion, a public viewing of the All Blacks vs. Japan rugby match was also held at Lalaport Kashiwa-no-ha, allowing the wider community to join in the excitement.
We believe this event perfectly captured the spirit of Kashiwa City’s anniversary – celebrating its rich history while embracing a future filled with opportunity and international connection. RSJ looks forward to continuing to support our community through similar initiatives in the years to come.
