Japan Soccer Tour

Jake Giannopoulos, Boys' Firsts Soccer Team Member, Ridgeway Campus

From the 3 April until 13 April, the Boys' and Girls' Firsts Soccer teams had the privilege of touring Japan to compete against Japanese schools, train under Japanese professional coaches in a professional environment, and experience the beauty that Japan has to offer. Both teams faced tough opposition less than 24 hours after touching down in Yokohama. Toin Goinken School, a prestigious sporting school in Japan hosted the teams. Before the games, the teams had the opportunity to immerse themselves in Japanese activities, such as listening and playing the drums, and participating in Japanese Martial Arts. In the game, the boys came away with a strong 1-0 win; with the two Harrys linking up for the goal (Harry Casci and Markogiannakis). However, the whole team had a solid performance, which set the tone for the upcoming performances and experiences. 

During the days that followed, we experienced a training session with Urawa Reds J League club in Tokyo, and saw many beautiful sights, such as the jaw-dropping Meiji Temple in Harajuku, near Shibuya City. In the second game the boys played against Otemon High School in Osaka. In this match, the intensity was lifted to another level - in a tantalising contest, it finished 2-2, with Harry Casci once again finding the net alongside year 10 Jude Birney. The day that followed entailed a training session with another J League club, Gamba Osaka, and sightseeing in Kyoto at the Kiyomizu-dera Sanjunoto, which is a three story pagoda and temple atop a hill. A highlight of these next couple of days was watching a J League game between Vissel Kobe and Yokohoma F. Marinos, which ended in a 2-1 win to the Marinos. The final game the boys played was against a top 10 team in Japan, Hiroshima Goinken. After a brutally fast start which kept all the boys on their toes, we played the best we have ever played as a team. Despite the unfortunate 1-0 loss, the boys, coach Jeff Olver, manager David Plumb and many others were extremely pleased with the performance, as despite the extremely high ranking of the opposition, the boys matched their quality and even went beyond what Hiroshima Goinken could offer.  

This trip was an awesome experience for all the boys. The team chemistry went through the roof, and the experiences we had together are some that we will never forget. Overall, the trip was unreal, and the trainings, games and sightseeing made it something that the boys will cling onto and remember for the rest of their lives.  

Helena Rodas, Girls' Firsts Soccer Team Member, Ridgeway Campus

On 3 April, the excitement was palpable as the Boys' and Girls' First Soccer teams launched into a jampacked 10-day tour of Japan, starting at Tullamarine International Airport. The tour allowed students to immerse themselves in Japanese culture, compete against local schools, as well as receive training sessions from professional J league coaches. 

Upon arriving in Yokohama after a lengthy 10-hour flight, students were buzzing with the excitement of being in a foreign country despite our exhaustion. After settling into our hotel rooms, anticipation for our first game against Toin Goinken School fuelled our early morning preparations. I vividly remember standing on the pitch and being taken aback by the fact that I was halfway across the world and playing soccer against a prestigious sporting school. The talent and dedication displayed by our opponents was truly astonishing, inspiring both teams for the season ahead. Throughout the tour, we engaged in two more exhilarating matches against local schools, complemented by explorations of Japan's iconic sites, from bustling shopping precincts to religious temples.  

The tour offered us a rich cultural experience, it also enabled us to develop personal skills such as leadership and independence. For the vast majority of us, we were thrust in a foreign environment whereby our parents were 8000km away from us on the other side of the world. This became a bit of a challenge when we had to undertake chores such as washing our own clothes or doing the final room inspection upon leaving a hotel room. Unfortunately, by the end of the trip many things (including air pods) had been lost due to our poor capability to inspect a room, but I digress! 

For myself, the most notable part of the trip would have to be our last night in Japan which was spent in a small karaoke bar in the heart of Hiroshima. Witnessing everyone, including teachers, belt out duets at the top of their lungs was certainly very entertaining. It is without a doubt that we were all deaf and exhausted after this experience, but it was a fantastic way to conclude the trip. 

Overall, the tour was an unforgettable experience that enabled us to solidify the bonds within our teams while simultaneously allowing us to get a glimpse into a foreign culture. The friendships we have formed throughout the course of the trip are absolutely invaluable and will undoubtedly continue to develop during the season. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the teachers who accompanied us, sacrificing personal time for our journey, as well as to our supportive parents whose encouragement made this adventure possible. And to each other, for our unwavering commitment and camaraderie throughout the tour.