BLUES GO GLOBAL WITH ACADEMY PARTNERSHIP
The Blues and Rugby School Japan (RSJ) have launched the ‘Blues Global Rugby Academy’ with an aim of becoming the leading rugby and leadership programme for young people in Asia and the Pacific.
The inaugural Blues Global Rugby Academy programme will be open to young people aged 15-18 years old and will be held at Rugby School Japan’s world-class facilities in Chiba in July 2025.
The Blues Global Rugby Academy will lean on the expertise of Blues coaching staff and former players to deliver a one-week world-class rugby and leadership programme with a focus on technical and tactical rugby elements as well as mental skills, nutrition, physical conditioning, and holistic well-being.
A Blues Leadership Programme will be delivered as part of the one-week academy curriculum and will be based on the programme delivered by the Blues to emerging leaders at high schools in New Zealand during the Super Rugby Pacific season.
The leadership component will utilise the skills of Rob Woodley, GM of the Blues Charitable Trust, as well as Rugby School Japan leaders.
Blues CEO Andrew Hore is excited to partner with Rugby School Japan who offer a first-grade education and rugby experience for their students.
“Rugby School Japan speak to a philosophy around collaborative teamwork and developing grounded and authentic people. These values are also highly regarded at the Blues which is why I think this academy partnership has massive potential. We’re aligned in our vision and I’m excited to work in partnership with Rugby School Japan,” said Hore.
Rugby School Japan Principal, Tony Darby, said he is thrilled to work with Andrew Hore on establishing the strategic partnership between RSJ and the Blues.
“With RSJ and the Blues having such a clear alignment of core values, a pioneering alliance between rugby's historical origins and one of its modern centres of excellence is a natural development,” said Darby.
Both organisations feel they can learn from each other in the leadership space as well.
“We’ve seen some transformational change here at the Blues in recent years all the way through our rugby programme, this change has been built on a framework of solid leadership principles making the leadership component of this academy especially important,” said Hore.
He also sees the Blues Global Rugby Academy as another step in growing the Blues’ international footprint.
“This is another significant step in our ambitions to have strong long-lasting relationships into Japan, this initiative comes after playing two games in Japan last pre-season as part of the Cross Border Rugby competition and we have a new partnership deal with Japanese team Kurita Water Gush, based in Atsugi.
“To be delivering a world-class rugby and leadership academy alongside Rugby School Japan is an exciting next step in our journey and a chance to deliver an academy overseas with a unique Blues feel.”
Register interest in the Blues Global Rugby Academy:
www.rugbyschooljapan.ed.jp/blues-rsj
About Rugby School Japan:
RSJ opened in 2023 as the Japanese campus of the prestigious British public school, Rugby School. It offers a British-style education and comprehensive rugby training to boys and girls aged 11 to 18. Through world-class education and sports, RSJ aims to maximise the potential of each student and nurture individuals who can contribute to the international community.
Student age range: 11-18 years old
Student capacity: 780 students
Number of teachers: 71
Facilities: Classrooms, special classrooms, gymnasium, swimming pool, library, gallery, dance studio, cafeteria, recording studio, etc.
Address: 6-2-5 Kashiwa-no-ha, Kashiwa City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan
Philosophy: "The Whole Person, The Whole Point" (Holistic Education)
Website: https://rugbyschooljapan.ed.jp/