JRFU Programme Looks to Grow Next Generation of Analysts and Coaches
The Japan Rugby Football Union recently launched an innovative new programme aimed at developing Japan’s next generation of professional rugby analysts and coaches. Hosted across two separate sessions, the programme brought together student analysts and coaches from across the country’s thriving university rugby competition. In a collaborative workshop environment, participants shared experiences and best practice while gaining insights into the high-performance structures of Japan’s national teams and League One.
The programme was conceived by two young analysts from the JRFU – Shumpei Hamano from the JRFU’s High Performance Division and Kenichi Murakami, Assistant Analyst for the Japan Men’s National Rugby Team. Recognising the vital role university rugby plays in Japan’s player development pathways, they saw an opportunity to support and upskill analysts and coaches coming from the same environment.
“In the national team setup, we already work with some analysts from university rugby,” explained Shumpei Hamano. “Last year, the men’s Under-20s had two student analysts, and currently, two are supporting the Sakura Fifteens. Their involvement in national team environments is invaluable, both for their development and for us. While some university teams operate at a level comparable to League One sides, there are clear gaps in knowledge, experience, and resources, including equipment and technology, across different university teams.”
He emphasised the long-term impact of the programme: “University rugby is where most of our elite players come from, and it’s also the starting point for most analysts and coaches. While a lot of focus is placed on developing players, there has never been a structured programme dedicated to university team staff. By supporting them, we not only enhance their capabilities but also directly contribute to raising the overall standard of university rugby. A stronger university competition ultimately means a deeper talent pool for League One and our national teams to draw from.”
The programme brought together 42 participants from 24 universities across Japan. The first session was held in person at the JRFU headquarters in Tokyo for students from the Kanto region. The second session was conducted online, catering to participants from Kansai and Japan’s southern island of Kyushu. This approach ensured accessibility for students nationwide and maximised engagement.
Reflecting on his experience, Kokoro Okuda, a student analyst from Seikei University in Tokyo, highlighted the value of the initiative. “Discussing with analysts from various teams and leagues allowed us to identify shared challenges as well as those unique to each university. These exchanges provided valuable insights into effective strategies and areas for improvement. Hearing different perspectives helped clarify our own issues and explore new ways to contribute to our uni teams. It was also inspiring to learn about the different approaches being taken by other teams and how they are implementing solutions that could work for us as well.”
The overwhelmingly positive response from participants has reinforced the importance of such a programme. With university rugby serving as the foundation for Japan’s future rugby stars, strengthening the analytical and coaching support systems will play an important role in rugby’s continued growth.
Following the success of the inaugural sessions, its hoped that the programme will become a recurring initiative. By investing in the development of university analysts and coaches, Japanese rugby can build a stronger pipeline of talent, not just in terms of players but also in building a pool of skilled and experienced young analysts and coaches.