Japan Samurais

FOOTBALL'S RISING SUN
Japan Samurais showing steely resolve to develop.

Melbourne's A.W. McLean introduced Australian Football to Japan back in 1910, with the first club formed in 1987 by Keio University.

However, the code was properly revealed to the nation when Hawthorn and Carlton played at Yokohama Stadium in front of 25,000 people in 1986. The first match in Japan was branded 'Aussie Bowl 86' and was broadcast back to Australia.

A year later, Aussie Bowl '87 was again held at Yokohama Stadium between Hawthorn and Essendon.

The first match between Japanese teams was played as a curtain raiser to the latter contest, with Keio Hawks defeating Waseda Bombers. This was the real birth of Australian Football in Japan.

In 2000, Japan began a sister club relationship with VAFA side Box Hill North. Each year, Japan sends a player to live and play with the club for 12 months. Box Hill North is one of the reasons behind the Samurais' success over the last 24 months.

In 2001, Troy Beard too over as coach of the Japan team. Beard's three-year aim was to mould a team that would not only be a force in international football, but show the world you don't have to be six foot plus to play our great game. Beard took the Samurais to the International Cup in 2002 and proved that the Japanese could mix it with the best.

Two years later, the game's growth was highlighted when Japan affiliated with the AFL to become Japan AFL (JAFL). That year the Samurai embarked upon their annual international tour to Melbourne and Singapore, defeating four quality sides out of the six they played. Japan attended the Arafura game in 1995, 1997, 1999 and 2001, showing vast improvement every year.

In 2005, Japan won the silver medal for this competition in front of big crowds, which were amazed at the zippy new style of play from the young squad, showcasing speed, and slick skills. The same year, Japan again competed in the International Cup, chalking up its first ever win over Spain in the opening game.

Although its only other victory would be in the return game against Spain, Michito Sakaki impressed many at the tournament with his courageous play and ball-winning ability. Sakaki, along with the captain Tsuyoshi Kase was later invited to join the AIS-AFL Academy camp in Canberra, with the pair also being invited to train at the Essendon Football Club in late 2005.

In February 2006, Sakaki was named in the Essendon side for a 16-a-side exhibition match against the Sydney Swans at North Sydney Oval. Although this was not an official AFL match, Sakaki became the first non-Irish international player to learn the game overseas and play at AFL level.

For the 2008 Australian Football International Cup, the JAFL appointed Richard Laidler as the national team's head coach. Laidler, an ex-VFA footballer at Coburg, was an assistant at the 2005 International Cup and is currently coaching the Japanese national cricket team.

Japan AFL would like to thank Robert Walters, Japan KK, AACE, Mitsubishi Australia and Musashi for their support of the Japan Samurais.

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