We are pleased to announce that Masafumi Yamaguchi has been appointed as the new Coaching Director of SIRC. This role was previously held by Duncan Gray, but following his relocation to the Netherlands last summer for work, Masafumi has taken over the position as of November.
Known to everyone by his nickname “Gucci”, Masafumi formerly played for the Mitsubishi Rugby Club and has eight years of coaching experience at Den-en Rugby School, working with children from primary to junior high school. He also previously served as Head Coach of the Shogun class, and we are delighted to welcome him into this new leadership role.
The Coaching Director’s responsibility is to review the current coaching across all classes, study the latest coaching methods, and develop a consistent, club-wide coaching programme for the future of SIRC. With our membership now exceeding 350 players and activities held across both Showa and Azabudai campuses, this role is becoming increasingly important to support SIRC’s long-term growth.
Message from Mr Yamaguchi
My name is Masafumi Yamaguchi, and I am honoured to take on the role of Coaching Director.
While incorporating the strengths and effective training methods already present in each class, my aim is to build a unified coaching programme that supports the future of SIRC. In recent years, as the number of children has grown, so too has the number of coaches.
I hope to create an environment where new coaches can join confidently, without uncertainty, and where coaching philosophy, objectives, and key teaching points are clear and easy to understand regardless of the age group they are assigned to. By refining and articulating these elements, I hope to gradually shape what we can call the unique “SIRC style.”
Ultimately, I would like our players to flourish when they reach the top classes—Shogun and Colts. And above all, I want to cherish the style of “moving the ball” rugby—the expansive, flowing rugby that our founder, Mr Tokumasu, fell in love with in Wales.
I look forward to seeing everyone on the field!