President's Message

I started playing rugby in my second year of high school, and meeting the sport changed my life profoundly. The greatest gift rugby has given me is a group of irreplaceable friends who will remain with me for life. The bonds that grow through rugby go far beyond ordinary acquaintance and are grounded in deep mutual trust.

The strong bonds and seemingly limitless stamina that rugby has given us can be put to meaningful use through volunteer work.

We are currently focusing our efforts on Noto, but no one knows when or where the next disaster will strike. When it does, people will step forward and rugby friends from across Japan will gather, bringing the same energy they would to a rugby training camp. That is the kind of volunteer effort we hope to create.

My guiding idea is to enjoy volunteering to the fullest. A disaster site may be a devastating place covered in debris. Precisely for that reason, I believe it is important to work cheerfully, positively, and with a sense of purpose rather than with downcast expressions. That approach helps the work move forward and, above all, brings energy to everyone involved.

After giving the work everything we have, we can take a bath together, share a drink, and talk as teammates. I hope we can approach volunteering in that same rugby spirit.

Nothing would make me happier than having the opportunity to work alongside you in the field one day.