2011 IRP & Press Cup winning 1st XV （和文付き）

Yoshikazu Fujita was a key player in the St. Bede’s College 2011 1st XV. He, Francisco Almeida and Vasco Fragoso Mendes, all went on to represent their countries (Japan and Portugal) at both 7s and 15s.

What is an early rugby memory that stands out for you? “Playing for the St. Bede’s College 1st XV, where I made lots of friends in a team that played some excellent rugby and came away with a great result.”

Why did you opt to go to Higashi Fukuoka HS? “I had always liked the style of rugby they played and I was keen to be part of the best high school team in Japan.”

What memories do you have from your time at Higashi Fukuoka HS? “I treasure all my memories from there. Probably the most important thing for me was making so many really good friends.”

When you were in your final year of high school you took part in the St. Bede’s College International Rugby Programme. How did you find that experience? “I grew up a huge amount as a person. In rugby terms, playing at a high level overseas saw me improve as a player. I received excellent coaching there and so was able to grow in every respect.”

What is good about studying abroad while you are a high school student? “You learn and sense so much by being in a country that has a different culture and uses a different language to your own. It allows you to grow your capacity as a person.”

What memories do you have from your time playing at university? “While we didn’t achieve our rugby goal, it was a great experience striving towards a new objective with a new group of friends. I treasure those memories. It was marvellous to be able to be part of Waseda University and to sense its history and culture. I also made many friends there outside the rugby club.”

Tell us about what it’s like being a player at Panasonic: “There are so many top players on the roster that competition for positions in the team is really fierce. I’ve learned the importance of continually striving to create a point of difference between me and the other players.”

What about your experience playing for Japan in both 7s and 15s? “Looking back I can say for sure that my experience playing a season with really good players at St. Bede’s in New Zealand, which of course always right up the top in the world of rugby, gave me the base of confidence that allowed me to go on and represent my country. Playing at the top level is something that I’ve always aspired for as rugby player.”

What are your goals from now?  “I will continue to work hard in an attempt to get an opportunity to play in the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the 2020 Olympics. I want to perform at the highest level on the world stage. I will also strive to win a position in, and play well for, a foreign Super Rugby team.”

一番若い時のラグビーの思い出はなんですか？ 「セント・ビーヅの1st XVでプレーして沢山の仲間が出来たり、高いレベルで戦えて結果がでたこと！」

東福岡高校に入学をするきっかけはなんでしたか？ 「東福岡のラグビーに憧れて、ここで日本一になりたいと思い、入学しました。」

東福岡での思い出にはどのようなことがありますか？ 「東福岡での思い出は全てが自分の宝物です。 そして、自分に最高の仲間が出来た事が一生の財産です！」

高校3年生のセント・ビーヅのラグビー留学プログラムに参加したことはどうでしたか？: 「人間的にも凄く大きくなれたし、ラグビー的にもスキルアップや海外の高いレベルでプレー出来たり、高いレベルのコーチングが受けられたりと全てにおいて、成長できました。」

高校生としての留学の良さはなんでしょうか？: 「日本とまた違う文化や言葉の違う国の人々との生活から沢山の事を学べたり、感じたりでき、自分の人間としての器が大きく成長出来ると思います。」

大学ラグビーの思い出: 「大学時代は、ラグビーの目標としていた目標には届かなかったが、新しい仲間と新しい目標に向かって努力出来た事は財産です。 あと早稲田大学の歴史や文化に触れ、ラグビー部以外にも沢山の仲間が出来たことです。」

パナソニックに入って感じたこと: 「レベルの高い選手が沢山いる中での競争！ 他の選手と自分の違いを生み出す為に、努力を継続させる大切さを学びました。」

ジャパン７s＆１５sでの経験: 「世界と戦うにあたって、自分がセントビーヅで世界でも一位、ニ位を争う国、NZでレベルの高いプレーヤー達とプレーした経験が、代表でも自信を持ってプレー出来るきっかけになった。やっぱりレベルが高いところでプレー出来る事は、ラグビー選手として1番の幸せです。」

これからの目標: 「2019年・2020年のW杯・オリンピックを目標として、コツコツ努力し続けてそのチャンスを掴みとりたい。その最高の舞台で輝きたい。 そしてスーパーラグビーの海外のチームでプレーをして活躍出来るように努力する。」