This Saturday, eight Bath students who had never played rugby before will embark on a life-changing journey to Japan, thanks to Bath Rugby Foundation securing specific funding from Premiership Rugby. The students, alongside Bath RFC’s Under-15 team, will travel to Beppu to experience international rugby and immerse themselves in Japanese culture.

Bath Rugby Foundation’s Community and Operations Manager, Alex Randall, and Community Inclusion Officer, Jack Hill, will be part of the tour, supporting the students and ensuring they continue to thrive within their new rugby team. The Foundation has spent the last few months integrating them into Bath RFC U15s, fostering friendships, teamwork, and confidence—an opportunity that would not have been possible without unrestricted funding from Premiership Rugby.

The tour, marking the 30-year twinning of Bath and Beppu, features matches against Beppu school teams and a visiting New Zealand side. The experience will allow the players to test their skills against international opponents, learn from different styles of rugby, and develop a deeper appreciation of the sport’s core values.

Beyond the matches, the group will engage in cultural exchanges, including coaching sessions at local schools, sightseeing, and learning about Japanese traditions. For the eight students who were new to rugby, this trip is not just about sport—it’s about confidence, personal growth, and the chance to be part of something bigger.

This initiative reflects Bath Rugby Foundation’s mission to break down barriers to sport and provide young people with opportunities they might never have had. Through this experience, these students—who once stood on the outside looking in—are now fully integrated members of a rugby club, embarking on a trip that will shape their future both on and off the field.