"Hanazono Kintetsu Liners" Kochi camp. Athletes' holidays enjoying nature and gourmet

Hanazono Kintetsu Liners, a member of the Japan Rugby League One, held a training camp in Kochi Prefecture from July 24 (Mon) to 28 (Fri), 2023. This time, close to recovery day on July 26 (Wednesday). We will report on nature activities and barbecues, and rugby schools open to elementary and high school students.

First of all

Hanazono Kintetsu Liners held a training camp for the first time in Kochi Prefecture in 2023. The team is a prestigious home in Higashiosaka City, and the NTT Japan Rugby League One 2023-24, which is scheduled to open in early December 2023, belongs to Division 1, which is the first division, following the previous year, and is expected to have a heated battle with top teams in Japan. 

Hanazono Kintetsu Liners is also introduced here. 

There is a privilege to visit! Rugby "Hanazono Kintetsu Liners" Kochi's first training camp

The players and staff members entered Kochi on July 24 and practiced reinforcement at the ball stadium of "Kochi Prefectural Haruno General Sports Park" in Kochi City.

Nature Activities & Barbecue on the Niyodo River

The interview team visited the recovery day on July 26. On this day, the practice was closed, and the party headed to Hakawa Park, about 15 km from Kochi City. 

Hakawa Park is located along the Niyodo River, known as a miracle clear stream. In addition to playing in the river, you can also enjoy barbecues and day camps on the large riverbank, and it is crowded with many families in summer. 

After arriving, the players descended to the riverbank enjoyed activities in the river as part of the team building. The first event was a "High Pant Catch Game" using a rugby ball. 

In this game, an activity called "ZAB" was used. As the name suggests, ZAB is a combination of SUP and canoes that go "zabuzab" on the water in the form of a "zabuton". This is the original activity of the local activity specialty store "Organic Uplifting" who cooperated. 

In the game, the players boarded the ZAB floating on the river, and divided into five teams to see how many balls kicked from the riverbank could be caught. 

Immediately, the players on the riverbank kick the ball to their friends, but the players on the water can not easily catch it as expected. Applause when you can't get the ball and fall dynamically into the river! Do you scream and say, "Wow!" (Laughs) There were many players jumping into the river, and everyone was enjoying the summer Niyodo River as they wished. 

Next was the race using SUP and ZAB. At the signal of "Let's Go!", Each rowed SAP or ZAB, crossed the river, made a U-turn and baton touch to the next player. For Lagerman, who is training the trunk, what is the flow of the river? Some teams sometimes say, "I'm swept away!", but we move forward more and more.

In this way, a heated battle was fought, and the team led by Sana Ylla Waqua, who was the tallest of Team 1 and who was also selected for the Japan National Team, won the first place! 

After the activity, move to the barbecue venue on the riverbank ... It should be, but Waqua is still in the river! "It feels good. I want to go in all the time. It was fun!" 。 The temperature is quite high on this day, and the water temperature is relatively high. Players who played leisurely in the river under the blue sky and enjoyed the great nature of Kochi. 

After playing in the river, barbecue time. Hakawa Park has a large shade of trees where the pleasant breeze blows through, so you can enjoy barbecue without worrying about the sun even in hot summers. Here, the players enjoyed the valuable beef "Tosa Akaushi", which is produced only in Kochi Prefecture. 

Tosa Akaushi is characterized by a delicious red body and moderate marbling. Even the players who are stubborn are “so good!” "Bali is good!" the chopsticks went on. 

Along with "Tosa Akaushi", bonito straw-yaki tataki captivated the players. On this day, the owner of the Miyamoto Fresh Fish Store near the river prepares 24 kg of bonito! A skilled general bakes fresh and freshly-handled bonito with straw one after another. Then, when sliced and served on a large plate, the players will cheek the freshly baked bonito. “The real thing is different!” "It's too good! I really hated bonito, but this is really good. It's awesome!" 。 The players eat well. 

In this way, Tosa Akaushi and bonito dishes are empty in no time. "It was delicious!" And seemed to be able to charge energy in Kochi's gourmet. When I thought that Kochi's delicious food became the source of the power of the players, the coverage team was somewhat happy on behalf of the local people.

Facility introduction

Introducing the activities of the Niyodo River that the players experienced. 

First of all, "Organic Uplifting" is an activity specialty store where you can enjoy playing in the river, such as ZAB and SUP. Representative Yuki Miyashita is from Nagano Prefecture, and after experiencing rafting guides in various rivers such as the local Tenryugawa and the Yoshino River of Shikoku, he developed ZAB in the Niyodo River. "I want both children and adults to enjoy the Niyodo River," we provide support that makes use of our experience.

Miyamoto Fresh Fish Shop is a popular restaurant in Inomachi that offers excellent fresh fish carefully selected by the general. There is also an eat-in space inside the store, where you can enjoy fresh sashimi processed on the spot with set meals and single items. (If you would like a set meal, we recommend that you check in advance by phone.)

Next is Hakawa Park. First of all, if you are a beginner in the Niyodo River, this is a popular place. The riverbank is large, and there is also a restaurant "Nikonikokan", a toilet and a large parking lot. The Niko Nikokan sells and rents out ingredients for Tosa Akaushi barbecue, so you can enjoy barbecue empty-handed. 

In addition, although the river is relatively shallow, there are parts where the river is suddenly deeper or the flow is suddenly steep, so be careful.

Rugby school

In the evening, the players returned to the ball stadium at Haruno General Sports Park, Kochi Prefecture, which is the training base for the training camp. The "Rugby Clinic" for elementary, junior high and high school students was held here. 

At the stadium, the high school students were divided into all Kochi youth teams, high school students, and junior high school students, and coaches and players of Hanazono Kintetsu Liners coached each. 

The rugby school lasted two hours, but the children who participated were concentrated all the time, and the time passed quickly. The coach who was in charge of the All Kochi Youth Team instructed many times, "Let's speak out!" In addition, training in the practical form that Hanazono Kintetsu Liners actually practiced, such as ball carriers and attack techniques, was held, and high school students listened to the coach's advice with a serious glance. 

On the other hand, the players in charge of junior high school students lift their children, practice line-outs, and catch the ball in a game format. The children who were lifted by foreign players over 2m tall are "high!" “Oh,” he said very excited. For the children learning rugby, the players and coaches of Hanazono Kintetsu Liners were longing for themselves, and they smiled, saying, "I can't experience this!" 

At the closing ceremony, coach Toyoda said, "Please bring home today's learning and awareness. And please come back with good grades in the national polity," he said. 

Jun Yokoi, who was in charge of elementary school students, said, "Everyone was fine in the hot weather and I was fine. I want to make use of this spirit in the game." In addition, a cheerful voice "Yes!" resonated at the stadium in response to the shout "Please enter the liners someday!" 

In addition, Reiya Ueyama, who was in charge of junior high school students, said, "The children are more energetic than I imagined, and I also received a lot of energy. It was good to be in touch with the children. Some junior high school students have good children, and I would like them to come to Liners in the future. " 

After the rugby clinic, we also interviewed juniors who participated. 

First of all, Hota Tachibana, a third-year student at Kochi Technical High School, is an all-Kochi youth team. 

"I met a professional for the first time, and I was overwhelmed by the size of my body and got goose skin. And through practice, I was able to achieve my goal to be like that. From next year, we will be working on rugby at the university. I have a clear goal to be like a liner’s player, so I want to work hard on that.” 

Next are Junju Taka, Nobuaki Yasuoka, and Sohei Miura, junior high school students. 

"It was a lot of fun. I had a valuable experience. I wanted to try more training.”

"I was scared to be lifted, but it was really fun. I want to continue playing rugby in high school.”

“Professionals have different body sizes. It was like a wall! We also want to have high goals and improve our level.”

Finally, Shohei Nonaka gave an impression of Kochi training camp. 

“I’m practicing in a wonderful environment. The meal is delicious, the hot springs are the best, and it is a fulfilling training camp. It is also a good place in Kochi that people are kind. I'd like to come to Kochi camp." 

Players, staff, Kochi training camp Thank you very much. Please come to Kochi in the future. And through rugby, I would like you to bring energy and power to Japan. All Kochi citizens will continue to support Hanazono Kintetsu Liners.