MESSAGE FROM THE FOUNDER
In our town, with new friends, why not start something new together?
As of 2020, playing rugby in Japan is something out of the ordinary. Nagareyama Rugby Club "GREAT HAWKS" stands by one statement: "Make the extraordinary, ordinary."
Nagareyama Rugby Club hopes to make it a natural, everyday sight for children to play with rugby balls in the nature-rich parks of Nagareyama City. On weekends, rugby games are played at a sports field in Nagareyama, watched by citizens of all ages. The very place where rugby is played becomes the heart of the local community, and people drop by even when they have no particular reason to. During the day, residents gather at the clubhouse, passionately discussing the children's thrilling games. This state, this picture, is the "everyday" that Nagareyama Rugby Club aims for.
Nagareyama Rugby Club believes that the activities and actions that bring about this fusion of rugby and local citizens are what truly constitute "quality community building."
With this in mind, we would first like to share the "joy" of rugby with children in and around Nagareyama City, and we would be delighted if our activities help children find their "smiles" through rugby.
Let's enjoy rugby together!
July 1, 2020
Tsuyoshi Kawai, Founder, Nagareyama Rugby Club
TEAM CONCEPT
Be Your Own Color
Rather than comparing yourself with others, make the most of your own strengths. Instead of putting others down, celebrate yourself and those around you. Value others as much as you value yourself.
Be yourself. You do not have to be the same as everyone else. What is your color? Any color is welcome. Let us color the world in your own unique way.
ORIGIN OF THE TEAM LOGO
The Northern Goshawk Chick
Our team logo is inspired by a young Northern Goshawk ("Ootaka"), the official bird of Nagareyama City and a symbol of its natural environment. The goshawk's eyesight is said to be about seven times sharper than a human's. We chose the goshawk chick for our logo with the wish that children will look toward the future, chase their dreams, hold on to hope, and grow up strong.
The image of this rare bird, designated as "Near Threatened" by the Japanese government, soaring gracefully with its wings spread wide, reflects our hope that children will spread their wings and take flight from Nagareyama to the world.
The goshawk is also known for its excellent balance, and for the speed, turning ability, and sharpness with which it dives and banks to surely catch its prey once a target is spotted. We hope to make these qualities the signature of the GREAT HAWKS rugby playing style.
As one way to bring this vision to life, Nagareyama Rugby Club "GREAT HAWKS" hopes to spread rugby together with Nagareyama City.
GREAT HAWKS WAS FOUNDED IN 2020.
CLUB INTRO
260
HISTORY
2020 — Nagareyama Rugby Club GREAT HAWKS founded
2020 — Partnership established with Edogawa University
2021 — Nagareyama Rugby Football Association established
2021 — “Rugby Tickets,” a community revitalization initiative, launched
2021 — Membership surpassed 100
2022 — “Sports Day” events held for all elementary schools in Nagareyama City
2023 — Membership surpassed 200
2023 — Mini Rugby and Junior Rugby teams established
2025 — Qualified for the Central Kanto Block Tournament of the National Elementary School Tag Rugby Tournament; 4th place in Chiba Prefecture
2026 — Partnership established with “Ask Me NZ”
MEMBERS
Our Characteristics
Our ultimate goal is to become like a public park—a place where everyone is free, everyone is smiling, and everyone is enjoying what they love.
Rooted in this shared vision, the club embodies three defining characteristics:
01
The Relentless Pursuit of “Fun”
Led by club founder and former top-tier athlete Takeshi Kawai, the club prioritizes the principle that “children must enjoy it first, and everyone involved should have fun.”
Rather than coaches formally teaching rugby, the focus is on letting children naturally experience and interact with the sport. By incorporating activities beyond rugby—such as relay races and general ball play—the club creates an environment where kids naturally find themselves playing with a rugby ball without even realizing it.
To make it easy for children to join at any time without hesitation, the club introduced a pay-per-session fee system where families only pay when they attend.
Reflecting the idea of a park where everyone is welcome to drop by freely, the club ensures that every single child discovers their own unique joy in rugby without barriers.
02
Parent-Driven Organization and Coaching by Beginners
Despite being founded by former elite players, the club avoids top-down coaching and instead actively engages parents in leadership and operations.
The majority of the roughly 30 coaches are mothers and fathers with no prior rugby experience, who actively participate in designing practice drills.
Parents also take ownership of administrative tasks, event planning, photography, social media marketing, and reception duties. Bringing together diverse professional backgrounds creates a thriving community where adults enjoy themselves alongside their kids.
Much like a park where diverse people gather freely, adults with varied backgrounds bring their strengths together and share genuine smiles.
03
A Community-Driven Platform Connected to the Local City
Moving beyond a conventional youth sports team, the club serves as a community hub that deepens ties to the city of Nagareyama.
The club partners with Edogawa University—the only university in Nagareyama City—whose students help with event planning and photograph the children in action. These photos are shared not only with parents but also with grandparents, while also freeing up parents from camera duties so they can actively participate and enjoy rugby alongside their children.
Multi-generational bonds have formed naturally; for example, local senior residents in their 60s and 70s volunteer to maintain the grounds, clean up, and watch over the children.
The club fosters local connection through initiatives such as “Rugby Tickets” (vouchers redeemable at local shops like a long-established local pastry shop based on practice attendance) and partnerships with local community kitchens (kodomo shokudo), creating a positive cycle of community engagement.
Whether you are picking up a ball for the first time or have years of experience, everyone is welcome. Our goal is to challenge ourselves, support each other, and bring the energy of rugby to our local community.
TEAM OVERVIEW
Name
Nagareyama Rugby Club GREAT HAWKS (GREAT HAWKS, Nagareyama Rugby Club)
Established
July 1, 2020
Activities
Tag rugby activities
Community activities
Affiliation
Nagareyama Rugby Football Association
Representative: Takeshi KAWAI
Coaches
Many coaches, including former Top League players and top-team coaches.
Age range: 5 years old to 9th grade
Schedule
Approximately four sessions per month.
Ages 5–Grade 2: 9:30–10:30 a.m.
Grade 3 and above: 11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
Junior high school and adults: By arrangement.
Ground
Courtyard of Nagareyama City Otakanomori Elementary School
Tag Rugby Fees
¥500 per session. ¥3,500 upon enrollment. ¥1,000 annually.
Notes: The session fee is paid each time. The enrollment fee covers an original ball. The annual fee covers sports safety insurance.
OUR TOWN NAGAREYAMA CITY
Our Home Town
Nagareyama City in Chiba is a town rich in green parks and forests, home to the Northern Goshawk. It is the place where GREAT HAWKS was born, and where we hope rugby becomes part of everyday life.
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