The Blues (NZ) and Rugby School Japan Launch the ‘Blues Global Rugby Academy’

The Blues and Rugby School Japan (RSJ) have launched the ‘Blues Global Rugby Academy’ to be held at Rugby School Japan’s world-class facilities in Chiba, Japan in July 2025. 

Blues CEO Andrew Hore said, “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.”

What Is The Blues Global Rugby Academy & Who Is It For?

The partnership is intended to forge a 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.

The Blues Global Rugby Academy says “it 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.​”

The one-week academy curriculum will be based on the programme delivered in English 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
• Rugby School Japan leaders

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.

Rugby School Japan Principal, Tony Darby added, “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.”

What enrolled boys and girls can expect is:

• Expert rugby coaching –  Development from the current Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby Aupiki Champions
• Build resilience and leadership skills – How this translates to making positive life choices
• Develop deeper self-awareness – And why these are essential high-performance traits
• Gain independence and make connections – Learn with like-minded individuals at Rugby School Japan’s campus in Greater Tokyo.

Rugby School Japan

Japan and New Zealand Rugby Partnerships

A statement added that Hore 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 in 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.”

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