JRFU Appoint Yuka Kanematsu as Sakura Sevens Head Coach
The Japan Rugby Football Union is delighted to announce the appointment of Yuka Kanematsu as the new Head Coach of the Japan National Women’s Sevens Team, the Sakura Sevens.
Since 2019, Kanematsu has served as the Head Coach of the Women’s Sevens Youth Academy. She has also been actively involved with the Sakura Sevens since 2023 as an Assistant Coach, working closely with the team during training camps and on tours under former Head Coach Takashi Suzuki.
Commenting on her appointment, Japan Women’s Sevens Head Coach, Yuka Kanematsu said:
“I am thrilled to take on the position of Head Coach for the Sakura Sevens. It has been eight years since I competed with the team at the Rio Olympics, and I want to express my gratitude to all my Sakura Sevens colleagues who have been part of this journey from Rio to Tokyo and now Paris. My aim is to further inspire the passion of the Sakura Sevens as we continue to evolve and build on our successes on the world stage.”
Kanematsu will assume her new role from August 13, ahead of the Sakura Sevens assembling in late August to begin preparations for the Asia Rugby Sevens Series in South Korea, which kick off on September 7.
Yuka Kanematsu
Date of Birth: June 17, 1982
Birthplace: Aichi Prefecture
Education: Aichi University of Education and Chukyo University Graduate School
Playing Career:
Nagoya Ladies Rugby Football Club
Japan Women’s National Team – 13 caps (Fifteens)
Japan Women’s National Sevens Team – 28 caps, including participating at the Rio 2016 Olympics
Coaching Career Highlights
Winner of World School Sevens 2022 U18 Women’s Sevens Development Squad
Winner of the Asian Rugby Sevens Series 2023 Thailand (Acting Head Coach)
Winner of the FISU World Student Sevens Championship 2024 – Women’s Sevens Student National Team.
