A cricket coaching experience in Japan

Claudia Fatone from Cricket Victoria with the Japan national women's team Photo © ICC

In January 2003 Claudia Fatone and Rob Wood were fortunate enough to be sent to Japan to work with that country's Women's and Men's National Squads and a junior development group.

We booked in at Melbourne's Tullamarine Airport at 6:30 AM and flew out at 8:30 for what was going to be an eleven and a half hour trip, not great for someone who has trouble sitting still for one hour.

On leaving Sydney we were "treated" to the first of the three movies to be screened on our air flight. You wouldn't believe it....a Jackie Chan film!

We arrived at the Narita Airport on the edge of Tokyo at 8:00PM and were greeted by our escorts Mucha and Enrico, a pair of students who both play cricket for their university teams, Mucha in the men's comp and Enrico in the women's.

They took us to the railway station and we then travelled to the centre of Tokyo, a trip that took us an hour and a half at the cost of approximately $50. After booking in to the motel we were escorted to a nearby tavern for a welcoming party where we met the coaches and support staff of the teams. You wouldn't want to have a drinking problem with the price of a pot of beer being around $10 (Aus)! The next morning we went sight seeing, set loose by ourselves in the heart of Tokyo. "Ring ring" as another pushbike weaved through the crowded street. Pushbikes "rule" the pavements in Japan and motorbikes are given every courtesy on the roads. They say that if you have an accident with either then you are in BIG trouble!

After visiting the Emperor's palace, temples, the giant Tokyo Tower and walking "forever" we were picked up by Naoaki Saida, a player and one of the main organizers of cricket in Japan. Road rules are different there as is the road culture. Naoaki parked on a pedestrian crossing .....in the middle of Tokyo! "Are you allowed to park here?" I asked. "No" he replied. "Won't you get fined?" I inquired. "Not if I'm not here for too long". Not too long was about half an hour but when we returned his car was still there, free of any infringement notices.

Off we went for more transportation with Naoaki's guide....a navigational display system on the dash-board! Yep, just code in your destination and this remarkable piece of technology instructs you where to turn etc.

Three hours later (11:00pm) we arrived at our destination, a country motel at a place called Sansui.

No rocking needed, I can assure you, but what a sight greeted us upon awaking! We were overlooking a huge lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains. A small fishing boat glided slowly across the water, its occupants in search of breakfast.

Only twenty minutes' drive and we arrived at our home for the next three days where most of the players had already assembled. They stood around in small groups chatting and giggling excitedly as we stepped out of the car and onto the snow-scattered car park. The more outgoing individuals, most of who were brandishing "business" cards, immediately welcomed us. These people like business cards!

After unpacking, we assembled in a lecture room where we were told by the camp supervisor of the rules of the establishment.

We then commenced a Level 0 Coaching Course, starting with some theory. This obviously needed intermittent translation by those well versed in both languages. No shortage of that as people readily volunteered their services, to be greeted by some serious nodding of heads as the participants eagerly soaked up their newly acquired cricket knowledge.

A skills coaching session followed and in the afternoon members of the National Under 15 Squad were put through their paces by the latest inductees of the Japanese Coaches' Panel!

That night we were treated to a campfire. Yes, a campfire! It was minus-something degrees and there we were outside, drinking beer, huddled around a fire for goodness sake. It really did help to break the ice so to speak!

Over the next two days the women and the men worked separately on areas of the game that their coaches had identified as needing attention and what a joy they were to coach. Their commitment to perfect whatever they are doing is astounding and we could only wish that all people that we try to coach here in our local environment would be as dedicated and as thirsty for knowledge.

Their baseball background has laid a strong foundation for their fielding skills and considering that most have only been playing cricket for a few years their batting technique is remarkable and bowling, although we witnessed some very different actions, not far behind.

In just a few days we were rewarded by the players' obvious development and also some new, warm friendships. They are a lovely nation of people, very polite, very friendly and very humble.

Thanks to Mucha , Enrico, Naoaki Saida and Richard Laidler (our guides and "taxi" drivers) as well as Takao, Yuko, "Junior" (the best kangaroo in Japan), Kei, Mark McTamney and Robb McKenna and last but not least the players from the senior squads and those great children from the development group.

What an experience!

Thanks to the ICC and Cricket Victoria