SIRC Newsletter_September 2025

The Autumn 2025 classes commence on Sunday, 7th September.
(Some classes are being held on 31st August in preparation for the Sugadaira training camp

The Shibuya International Rugby Club, a general incorporated association celebrating its eighth anniversary this September, has recently elected eight officers to oversee its operations for the next two years until 2027.
With its tenth anniversary approaching in two years, President Norman McElhenny and Chairman Koji Tokumasu will remain as Representative Directors, with an eye towards succession planning.
Mr Terry Naito has been appointed as the new Vice President, while Head of Rugby, Mr Yusuke Kobayashi has been appointed as Vice Chairman of the Board. Furthermore, Ms Emi Hashimoto, who has served as Director General since the founding period, has been appointed as a new Director, together with Mr Leigh Jones, and Mr Tadakatsu Kawakita. Additionally, Mr Akiyoshi Sugiyama, who is also a Director of the Compliance Department at Citigroup Global Markets Japan Inc. has been appointed as the new Auditor.

• President & Representative Director: Norman McElhenny McLehoney
• Vice President: Teruma Naito
• Chairman of the Board & Representative Director: Koji Tokumasu
• Vice Chairman of the Board: Yusuke Kobayashi (Head of Rugby)
• Director: Emi Hashimoto (Director General)
• Director: Leigh Jones
• Director: Tadakatsu Kawakita
• Auditor: Akiyoshi Sugiyama

General Manager:Keisuke Ishii (also Chairman of the 2025Tokyo Mini Rugby Schools Association)
 
Corporate officers shall hold regular board meetings based on the Articles of Incorporation of the Shibuya International Rugby Club General Incorporated Association, determining policies for the smooth operation of the corporation.
 
Furthermore, the following members currently handle administrative duties on a part-time basis. As membership increases, we aim to expand the secretarial staff going forward. We appreciate your continued support.

• Keiko Shimoyamada (Accounting)
• Akiko Suzuki (Showa Classes)
• Masakatsu Jo (Azabudai Classes)
• Shinnosuke Hashimoto (General matters, from September)

For more information about the SIRC Medical Committee, please see the link below.
https://shibuyarugby.com/en/safety-measures-en/

Led by Chairman Dr Toyotaka Iguchi, our 14 medical committee members and 24 Safety Assistants are dedicated to supporting our safety.

From September 2025, the paid underground car park beneath the Hitomi Memorial Hall on the Showa Women’s University campus will be available for use by club members.
This offers excellent accessibility and convenience, so we encourage you to make active use of it!
Details here: Parking Lot Usage Guide

Please note that, unfortunately, the free parking spaces previously provided for those assisting with luggage transport will no longer be available.
Consequently, we may need to request assistance from members regarding luggage transport during future trips. Details will be provided sequentially by each class instructor. We kindly ask for your understanding and cooperation.

From Friday 13th to Monday 15th September, a total of 100 members of U8-U12– comprising 67 children and 33 accompanying coaches, support staff, and parents – will attend the Sugadaira Training Camp and participate in the ‘Heroes Friendship’ tournament.

SIRC will host some international games from late September to October. All games will take place at BST Nagasawa Ground.You can view introductions of the incoming teams whose game arrangements are hosted by SIRC via our Instagram here:
https://www.instagram.com/japan_rugbytour/

Sunday 28th September

<Morning>
Shogun vs U13 Pakuranga (New Zealand)

<Afternoon>
Colts U16 vs U15 Joondalup (Australia)
Colts U18 vs U18 Kiama Rugby Club (Australia).

5th October (Sunday)　

<Morning>
Samurai vs U12 Hunter Hill (Australia)

<Afternoon>
Shogun vs U14 Narabeen Tigers (Australia)
 

Following arrangements by Chairman Norman, we are pleased to announce the sale of SIRC original caps and bags, specially ordered from a Hong Kong manufacturer, to our members.
 
The caps are priced at ¥2,000 and the bags at ¥5,000. Both are adult sizes and therefore suitable for use by members aged secondary school and above.
 
In addition, our long-awaited SIRC Original Rugby Balls are finally back in stock.
Further details will be provided separately at a later date.

We are pleased to inform you that a members-only, password-protected page has now been created on our club website.
To begin with, photos and videos taken during class sessions and other occasions will be uploaded in line with the guidelines below.

The password will be shared via each class WhatsApp group in due course, so please do make use of the page once it becomes available.
︎ [Club Website “Photo & Video Gallery” Page Here]

Class Albums (taken by volunteers) Please feel free to upload any photos or videos taken by parents and members to the Class Album.We hope it will serve as a place where everyone can share and enjoy their memories together. When uploading, we kindly ask that you limit the number of photos to around 15 per session. To ensure that everyone can comfortably enjoy viewing the album, it would be greatly appreciated if you could select and upload only your highlights.Thank you very much for your understanding and cooperation.

• These are photographs and videos taken by parents or members of each class, shared on a voluntary basis.
• As a rule, they are not used for the Club’s publicity purposes. However, exceptionally good photographs may, with the photographer’s consent, be used in the Club’s official media (such as the website or social media).
• When posting any photographs or videos on personal social media or other external platforms, you must obtain prior permission from the families of any children other than your own who appear in the images. If such permission cannot be obtained, the material must not be published.Even where permission is granted, please limit the viewing range and take care to protect personal information.
• Sharing should be restricted to family and close acquaintances only.

Official Albums (taken by the Public Relations Committee)

• These are photographs and videos taken by the Club’s Public Relations Committee.
• They may be used in the Club’s official publicity and promotional activities, including the website, social media, and printed materials such as brochures.
• The publication of such material is subject to the consent form (“Consent/Refusal for Use of Photographs and Videos”) submitted at the time of registration.