Saturday, January 24, 2009
Friday, January 23, 2009
Selectors scout for England Counties rugby side to tour Korea
The scouts are out at the English league matches, searching out the best side for the England Counties XV trip to Korea in June. The team will fly out immediately after the English County Championship final on May 31 and meanwhile, Korea are making their own preparations to give the distinguished tourists a very warm welcome...warm weather, hot food and red hot competition on the field. Since Korea will have just finished the Asia Five Nations, and assuming the selectors pick the strongeest possible Presidents XV, then the Korean squad should be well drilled and in perfect shape to put immense pressure on a touring team that will not have had the opportunity of playing together....bring it on!
Thursday, January 22, 2009
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Korea Touch alumnus pioneers the sport in Tripoli
From our own correspondent
Well we had the first run of touch football in Tripoli last friday!!!
had a good group of about 14 , played at the International school, on a
dirt pitch. Good surface, it was very even, but no grass on it. Trying
to start up the weekly comp, lets see how many we get this weekend.
Not sure where our first tour will be to, but HK or Seoul might be a bit too much
of an exposure for us!
Well we had the first run of touch football in Tripoli last friday!!!
had a good group of about 14 , played at the International school, on a
dirt pitch. Good surface, it was very even, but no grass on it. Trying
to start up the weekly comp, lets see how many we get this weekend.
Not sure where our first tour will be to, but HK or Seoul might be a bit too much
of an exposure for us!
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Taiwanese and Japanese Rugby Team Visit Seoul City Hall
A rugby team from Taiwan and Japan visited Seoul City Hall respectively in 1962 and 1963.
Mayor Oh also should do something for rugby in 2009, don't you think? :)
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Korea Rugby Union re-elects Choi, Won-tae
In a closely fought election, the incumbent Choi, Won-tae beat off a challenger to retain leadership of the Korean Rugby Union. Despite being an alumnus of Dankook Uni, a famous rugby playing university in Korea, Pres. Choi was not a player himself. However, he has apparently committed himself to the role and has backed his candidacy with funds to support the development of rugby in Korea. In addition to his role within Korea, Pres. Choi is also the current president of the Asia RFU, a post he has held for a couple of years.
It will be interesting to see if stability brings rewards for Korean rugby. The sport desperately needs a coherent strategy, consistently implemented in Korea. Remaining number two in the HSBC-sponsored Asia Five Nations is not a given without improvements in the infrastructure and a substantial increase in the player base. Hong Kong, who certainly do have high ambitions backed by concrete actions, are progressively narrowing the gap on Korea…the shame experienced by the Koreans in a shock loss to HK at sevens should have been a wake up call. However, the KRU is notorious for its internal focus with key figures preferring to bask in the dubious glory of grand-sounding titles while doing little to build the sport. Their current approach is likely to leave a legacy of a painful, humiliating and lingering death of the rugby here on the peninsula.
All this is in sharp contrast to previous glories of the 80’s and early 90’s when Japan and Korea were neck-and-neck as leaders of rugby in Asia. A revival of those heights would surely bring credibility to co-host a world cup, something that would be very dear to Japanese hearts and at least consistent with the Korean government’s attempts to bolster the economy with tourism. An even earlier take on history reveals the true roots of rugby in Korea and perhaps provides the spark needed to ignite the patriotic fervour needed to be a great rugby nation. During the colonial period, it is said that the only opportunity the Korean people had to get one back on their oppressors without fear of reprisal was on the rugby field. A story, determinedly not apocryphal, tells of the time when one Korean high school beat all its Japanese opponents. It is on these kinds of foundations that rugby can build and, with the inherent Korean competitiveness and determination not to be outdone, you have the makings of an attitude that could be shaped to boost the obvious sporting skills that exist here.
So, Pres Choi has the mandate and now we’re waiting for the plan….followed by action which will eventually lead to results. Winning an election is not enough, Pres. Choi has now taken on the burden of delivering a better future for rugby in Korea. We wish him well and offer our support as we implore him to act with great energy and urgency to do what it takes to take Korea to its full potential in world rugby.
More coverage of this story can be found at http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=102&oid=001&aid=0002445257
It will be interesting to see if stability brings rewards for Korean rugby. The sport desperately needs a coherent strategy, consistently implemented in Korea. Remaining number two in the HSBC-sponsored Asia Five Nations is not a given without improvements in the infrastructure and a substantial increase in the player base. Hong Kong, who certainly do have high ambitions backed by concrete actions, are progressively narrowing the gap on Korea…the shame experienced by the Koreans in a shock loss to HK at sevens should have been a wake up call. However, the KRU is notorious for its internal focus with key figures preferring to bask in the dubious glory of grand-sounding titles while doing little to build the sport. Their current approach is likely to leave a legacy of a painful, humiliating and lingering death of the rugby here on the peninsula.
All this is in sharp contrast to previous glories of the 80’s and early 90’s when Japan and Korea were neck-and-neck as leaders of rugby in Asia. A revival of those heights would surely bring credibility to co-host a world cup, something that would be very dear to Japanese hearts and at least consistent with the Korean government’s attempts to bolster the economy with tourism. An even earlier take on history reveals the true roots of rugby in Korea and perhaps provides the spark needed to ignite the patriotic fervour needed to be a great rugby nation. During the colonial period, it is said that the only opportunity the Korean people had to get one back on their oppressors without fear of reprisal was on the rugby field. A story, determinedly not apocryphal, tells of the time when one Korean high school beat all its Japanese opponents. It is on these kinds of foundations that rugby can build and, with the inherent Korean competitiveness and determination not to be outdone, you have the makings of an attitude that could be shaped to boost the obvious sporting skills that exist here.
So, Pres Choi has the mandate and now we’re waiting for the plan….followed by action which will eventually lead to results. Winning an election is not enough, Pres. Choi has now taken on the burden of delivering a better future for rugby in Korea. We wish him well and offer our support as we implore him to act with great energy and urgency to do what it takes to take Korea to its full potential in world rugby.
More coverage of this story can be found at http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=102&oid=001&aid=0002445257
Return in 50 years
Japanese rule
This is not a history section but I'd like to tell you the history of Korea briefly to explain the history of Korean Rugby. Korea was first colonized by Japan in 1910 and became free and independent in 1945. It was the period when Rugby was first introduced to Korea by Japanese.
The record found in the first president of the KRU's memoirs says although 1923 was the first year of the introduction, rugby in Korea thrived from 1930s when the first university team, Korea University followed by Yangchung and Paichai Highschool, was established because only Japanese people were allowed to play the sport. 1923 is exactly 100 years later when rugby was first started in Rugby School, England.
-The first President of the KRU-
While Japan had a number of middle school, highschool, university, and even corporate-owned teams and a rugby stadium only for Japanese in Korea, Korea had its heyday with only the three teams. Korea university beat Japanese teams 113-0, 90:0, and 80:0 in the qualification round for the national championship, but they could not win the championship finishing as runner-up twice.
To put a break on them, Japanese used assault and even police force with wooden swords and knives and attempted to pass the buck to Korea.The division of Korea and Korean War
In June 1950 the Korean War broke out and finished in 1953. During the war, a game between the Welsh and New Zealand Regiment took place in the battlefield. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/4012593.stm
-A picture of the game at the Welsh regiment's museum in Cardiff Castle-
The Royal Navy team tour to Korea
Just 7 years from the end of the war, a team from English Royal Navy toured to Korea and played the Korea Air Force Academy. Surprisingly, KAFA won the match with the score of 9-0.
(Video clip: http://film.ktv.go.kr/pop/movie_pop.jsp?srcgbn=KV&mediaid=250&mediadtl=1850&gbn=DH&quality=H)
- English Navy Tour in 1960-
Rugby in Korea from 60s-80s
Rugby in Korea kept growing in these periods with military regimes since rugby is very suit to train soldiers and these periods were when the goverments exploted sports for political propaganda. Even one of the former presidents of Korea, Noh Tae-woo, played rugby for Korea Military Academy for 4 years. Korea won the Asian Rugby Championship in 82, 86, 88, 90 thanks to active interaction with overseas teams.
Rugby in Korea from 90s to Present
At that time, Korea was still the only country which was a threat to Japan and had the stongest 7s rugby team in Asia. We beat some strong rugby nations such as Fiji and France in Hong Kong Sevens and won Plate Chmpionship several times.
Since the first rugby competition was held at the Asian games in 1998, we have won a total of 4 gold medals and one silver medal. (1998 15s and 7s gold/ 2002 15s and 7s gold/ 2006 7s silver 15s was exluded)
-The 2006 Asian Game Rugby Sevens Final defeat by Japan in the last minute-
-2003 Korea-Japan game, catastrophic moment with the score difference 83-
Preparation for the Future
In 1999 when I was a highschooler and nearly 40 years after the Royal Navy's tour, King Edward VII School came to Seoul and played against my highschool. My school won the match and I recieved the man of the match.
At the after match function, when we communicated with them with the help of volunteer student interpreters since no one could speak English at all, my dream for rugby in Korea was brought to me by this experience. To realize my long-cherished dream and share the dream with young rugby players, we are slowly making progress for the development of rugby here in Korea.
- King Edward VII Tour to Seoul in 1999-
This year 10 years from my experience with King Edward's tour and nearly 50 years from Royal Navy's tour, we are planning to host England Counties tour to Seoul. I do hope our little endeavor can move things forward and can help inspire Korean ruggers so that my dreams for Korean rugby will come true in the future.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
JoongAng covers Touch again
The JoongAng Daily kindly included a New Year's greeting on behalf of Touch in Korea http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2899493
Monday, January 5, 2009
Kiwi rugby fans in Korea need to polish up their act...
....at least while they are in Itaewon, according to this rather disturbing account (you have to go halfway down the column to get to the bit about rugby) http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=001&oid=262&aid=0000002007
Normally, the rugby community around the world brings out the very best in people...I've been welcomed in bars and rugby clubs to watch matches all around the world...it is one of the reasons I'm so keen to promote the game here in Korea...but clearly there is a mix of people and the correspondent here and the people he's talking about don't mix...shame...there are few enough rugby fans anyway, without the party being split!
Normally, the rugby community around the world brings out the very best in people...I've been welcomed in bars and rugby clubs to watch matches all around the world...it is one of the reasons I'm so keen to promote the game here in Korea...but clearly there is a mix of people and the correspondent here and the people he's talking about don't mix...shame...there are few enough rugby fans anyway, without the party being split!
Saturday, January 3, 2009
New Years Resolution; help grow Touch in Korea
Maybe you already have something going in your area, if so, would you like to combine efforts to help grow Touch in Korea? Or perhaps you'd like to start to get involved and haven't yet figured out where best to begin.....
If you'd like to help lead the development of Touch throughout Korea, then please contact seoultouch@gmail.com
This year, Touch should continue to grow and while some aspects will become more organised, the intention is to keep it fun and accessible for all. The Spire Touch Championship will continue and probably extend it's coverage of Korea...and Touch for kids will be bigger as more clubs are formed.
There is plenty of room for players, coaches, referees and administrators....so please make it your sport for 2009!!
If you'd like to help lead the development of Touch throughout Korea, then please contact seoultouch@gmail.com
This year, Touch should continue to grow and while some aspects will become more organised, the intention is to keep it fun and accessible for all. The Spire Touch Championship will continue and probably extend it's coverage of Korea...and Touch for kids will be bigger as more clubs are formed.
There is plenty of room for players, coaches, referees and administrators....so please make it your sport for 2009!!
Korea, the place for school rugby teams to tour
There have been a few schools from overseas visiting Korea over the years, here is some comment from England's famous Eton College http://www.etoncollege.com/Rugby.aspx whose rugby team visited in 2004. Korea could really benefit from that sort of cultural and sporting exchange....and the tourists could certainly benefit from seeing one of the world's fastest developed economies.
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