After a last minute invitation from IBA Boys to send an U12 team to Japan, NSWJBL moved into action and put a team together in record time. This included outfitting the team and inviting coaches and a manager to accompany them, and on July 30, 2003, a very excited group departed Sydney for Nagoya, Japan.

After arriving in Nagoya and being met by our translator/guide and some of the billeting parents, we were whisked off to the City of Gifu which is a 1½ hr. coach trip inland. The whole team spent the first night in the Nagaragawa Sports Plaza and the boys were introduced to the Japanese way of bathing and sleeping very quickly. Next day we were given the honour of meeting the Mayor of Gifu before a light training session and lunch. Then back onto the coach and we travelled most of the afternoon further inland following the Nagara river to the City of Shirotori Chou where we again had the privilege of meeting the Mayor of that City. The boys were taken by their billeting families and the coaches and myself were taken to a typical Japanese inn for the night where we had the good fortune to meet the Mama-san and her son who owned this inn. We all agreed that by staying at this inn we had had the true Japanese experience.

We played our first game that night against a team from one of the local schools and then backed up again the following morning for another game against another school team, which we actually won. The second game that day was the most fun of all as we swapped half our team for half of theirs. After only being in Japan for 2 days it was apparent why they were promoting these as ‘Friendship Games’ as the interaction between our Aussie boys and the Japanese children was fantastic to observe. After these games we said goodbye and once again were on the coach heading back to Gifu.

The boys played at least one game each day and I thought they coped very well with the extreme heat and the different surface, which was like crushed granite, only white. Unfortunately the only game we won was the second game we played. The Japanese children were mostly all the same age as our boys, but their skill levels were much more advanced. The Boys were billeted most of the time, but were also with the team staff for 3 nights at The Nagaragawa Sports Plaza. The Japanese ‘mums’ were extremely attentive and had buckets of ice and water in the dugout for the boys who certainly didn’t mind being fussed over by these wonderful ladies. There was even some tears from these ladies as we left Gifu.

On our second last night in Gifu we were treated to a Good bye dinner with all the teams that we had played against. The boys were treated like ‘stars’ posing for photos and once again, the interaction between our boys and the Japanese children was fantastic. They certainly have their own ways of communicating.

Our last day in Gifu was spent doing some sightseeing and shopping. We were taken on a skyway ride, or as they call it a ‘Ropeway’, to the top of Kinkazan Mountain to the Gifu castle. This was an old Shogun castle and the views down to the river and the city of Gifu were very picturesque. Then it was off to a fun park with water slides and rides etc. Naturally the boys had a great time here.

After this fun day, it was time to head back to Nagoya to catch the plane home. I was left wondering where did the last 6 days go!! It was a wonderful trip for all of us and one that I am sure that we will all remember for a long time. The only ‘downer’ was the fact that Joel Glynn didn’t make the trip as he became sick just 24 hours before we left Sydney. But the wonderful Japanese had given me plenty of presents to bring home for him.