Cricket Victoria visit to Japan

I have just returned from a memorable coaching trip to Japan as part of the ICC EAP Development Program and Cricket Victoria/Japan Cricket Association Partnership. Listed below are my perceptions and highlights of a fantastic 12 days in Japan

Bruce Nunn

31-May-2007

Bruce & Alex with Sano International School students © ICC

26 April Long flight (Melbourne - Osaka via Hong Kong) and the train trip to Kyoto... 22 hours bed-to-bed!

27 April Sightseeing in Kyoto. Highlights included the Niyo Castle, Golden Temple, Imperial Palace (plenty of temples and pagodas). This is a must do for visitors to Kyoto - ookini (thank you in Kyoto) to my host Yoshito Jessen.

28 April ICC Introduction to Cricket Course in Kyoto (Gakuen University). 15 students from Kyoto Doshisha and Gakuen Universities who were a most polite and enthusiastic group. The ICC Cricket World Cup Final tonight live from West Indies - Australia v Sri Lanka - "Go Aussies!"

29 April Caught Bullet Train to Fuji for a combined U19 National Squad and Universities Squads 2-day training camp. I find out that the Aussies won the World Cup after finishing in the dark - Great to see Gilchrist and his squash ball! The majestic backdrop of Mount Fuji just brilliant!

30 April - Day 2 of the Fuji Camp. All are keen to learn and thirsty for cricket knowledge and skills. A shortage of protective equipment (helmets and protectors) brings some of the batters undone (no wonder there wasn't too many batters getting in line with the ball!). Agree to send 15 new boxes to Uenomiya High in Osaka complements of Cricket Victoria!

1 May - Tokyo sightseeing using the underground train system which is incredible but daunting for an Aussie from the country. Tokyo City has the WOW factor - 12 million people! So busy yet spotlessly clean and safe. Hosts so friendly and polite. Arigato (thank you in Tokyo) to Yuma Shimizu, Anna & Moe for showing me around Tokyo.

2 May - Tokyo - Japan CA Conference with board members. Issues discussed included:

The lack of suitable playing and training facilities in close proximity to the cities where the bulk of the population live, especially Tokyo. Possible solutions include: the use of unused river bank areas on the perimeters of Tokyo, sharing facilities with other sports (eg. baseball, rugby, soccer), adapting and modifying the game to fit venues used for other sports (eg. baseball diamonds, tennis courts, school yards, soccer pitches etc.)

Establishing strong relationships with Local Government Authorities and key sporting bodies (eg. Amateur Sports Association, Olympic Committee) to better leverage Japan's crickets needs

Sponsorship arrangements - how to generate money and resources

Competition from other sports - how can cricket compete with Baseball (Japan's number 1 sport)?

The Japanese sporting culture of playing only one sport - no concept of a sporting season

Establishing links with cricket clubs and schools - taking the game into schools

International exchange opportunities between Victoria and Japan

3 & 4 May - Hasaki - University Cricket Camp for Golden Week. 70 students from 4 universities participated in cricket activities and games, communal living, parties and fireworks on the beach. All the students were so polite, friendly, organized and willing to have fun. I had great support and assistance at the cricket camp from local JCA coaches including Shizuka Sato (fielding drills), JCA board members including Chairman Takao Ito (batting skills), Yosuke Hatanake (games/activities), Naoki Miyaji (bowling) and Kenta Yagi.

5 & 6 May - Sano - Level 1 Coaching Course. It was indeed a privilege to co-present this course with Naoki Miyaji. Participants a most energetic and interested group which included juniors, male & female players, board members and 3 visitors from South Korea (Shane Kennedy, Hwa Yeon & Hwan Hee). The addition of our enthusiastic South Korean delegation added real spice and interest to the course and should give impetus to the further development of cricket coaching and participation back in South Korea.

7 May - Clinic at Sano International School. Participants experienced snowball tag, ball handling tricks and rapid fire. Principal, teachers and students having fun, fun and more fun!

Return flight (Tokyo - Melbourne via Hong Kong) that night. Returned home very tired but what a great cultural and professionally rewarding experience!!

To my Japanese hosts - thanks for your wonderful hospitality and for making my trip to your great country so enjoyable and rewarding!!

Bruce Nunn is Cricket Victoria, Regional Cricket Manager (Barwon)