Celebrated International High School Tournament Returns for 26th Year
The Japan Rugby Football Union, together with the SANIX Sports Foundation, Global Arena, the Kyushu Rugby Football Union, and the Fukuoka Rugby Football Union, is delighted to announce details of the 2025 addition of the Sanix World Rugby Youth Tournament.
Widely regarded as the only ‘World Cup’ for high school rugby players, the tournament celebrates its 26th anniversary in 2025, having first been held in 2000. Over the years, it has welcomed teams from 23 different countries and regions, serving as a stepping stone for future internationals including Japan’s Timothy Lafaele, England’s Jack Nowell, South Africa’s JP Pietersen, and New Zealand stars Owen Franks, Colin Slade, and Matt Todd.
A clear testament to the tournament’s role in in developing future international talent is the number of participants who have gone on to represent their countries at Rugby World Cups. At the 2019 World Cup in Japan, 26 Sanix World Rugby Youth Tournament alumni played across the tournament, for a variety of national teams, while at France 2023, the number increased to 35 players.
The event is staged annually at the Global Arena sports complex in Munakata City, Fukuoka Prefecture, on the southern island of Kyushu. It brings together top-tier high school sides from Japan and overseas in a celebration of youth rugby. Scheduled to coincide with Japan’s Golden Week holiday, this year’s tournament will run from April 28 to May 5. The 2025 edition will feature 16 boys’ teams in the Men’s Fifteens competition across five days, while the Women’s Sevens competition will see eight teams compete over two days from April 28 to 29.
The SANIX World Rugby Youth Tournament was born from the vision of the late Shinichi Munemasa, the former President of Sanix Corporation, a leading environmental management company in Japan. Mr Munemasa, a lifelong rugby fan, championed the idea that sport could serve not only as a tool for youth development but also as a means of international cultural exchange. His passion, along with the backing of sponsors and the tireless work of Japan’s rugby community, has helped shape the tournament into a globally recognised event.
Beyond the matches themselves, the tournament places strong emphasis on cross-cultural engagement and camaraderie. With all men’s teams staying within the Global Arena complex, players have regular opportunities to connect during shared meals and social activities, fostering lifelong friendships that extend long after the tournament itself.
2025 Sanix World Rugby Youth Tournament – Participating Teams:
Men’s Fifteens – 16 teams
International Teams (6)
- Barker College (Australia)
- Chien Kuo High School (Chinese Taipei)
- SGS Filton College (England)
- Ratu Kadavulevu School (Fiji)
- Paichai High School (Korea)
- Hamilton Boys High School (New Zealand)
Domestic Teams (10)
- Toin Gakuen High School (Kanagawa)
- Tokai University Sagami High School (Kanagawa)
- Kyoto Seisho High School (Kyoto)
- Kyoto Kogakuin High School (Kyoto)
- Osaka Toin High School (Osaka)
- Gose Industrial High School (Nara)
- Tokai University Osaka Gyosei High School (Osaka)
- Higashi Fukuoka High School (Fukuoka)
- Saga Technical High School (Saga)
- Nagasaki Hokuyodai High School (Nagasaki)
Women’s Sevens – Eight teams
International Teams (4)
- Kings Christian College (Australia)
- Loughborough College (England)
- Howick College (New Zealand)
- Hong Kong China Junior Dragons (Hong Kong China)
Domestic Teams (4)
- Kanto Gakuin Mutsuura High School (Kanagawa)
- Reitaku High School (Chiba)
- Yokkaichi Maryknoll Gakuin High School (Mie)
- Fukuoka Rugby Football Club (Fukuoka)
For all match schedules and results, please check the 2025 Sanix World Rugby Youth Tournament official website at https://wryt2025.sanix-worldrugbyyouth.com/