1
Coca-Cola to disband Red Sparks rugby team
By Ian Cameron
The Coca-Cola Red Sparks - a feature of Japanese rugby since their formation in 1966 - have announced that they are to disband.
Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan have confirmed that they would end all rugby activities in 2021. The team, who are based in Fukuoka, famously signed Wallaby winger and funnyman Nick Cummins in 2014.
In a statement, the club said: "Coca-Cola Bottlers Japan has decided to end the activities of the Company's rugby club at the end of 2021."
While they are originally been set to leave the Top League and reapply to a new league in 2022, they have now made the decision to completely abandon their rugby program altogether.
"Since its founding in 1966, our rugby club "Coca-Cola Red Sparks" has been working together with the local community to develop Japanese rugby culture. In 2006, we were promoted to the Japan Rugby Top League sponsored by the Japan Rugby Football Union, and has been active as a top club in Japan for a long time.
"In the midst of rapid changes in the business environment, we are establishing a growth base in preparation for changes in the business environment over the medium to long term, and we are implementing reform efforts ahead of schedule. In principle, we are reviewing all efforts to maintain and grow the beverage business and specialize in it.
"As a result of re-examining the system for entering the new league announced this time, we are sorry to say that we have decided not to enter the new league and will end the activities of our rugby club at the end of this year.
"We will continue to provide appropriate career support for the future of our rugby team members. In addition, we will continue to contribute to the further development of local communities and rugby culture.
"We would like to express our sincere gratitude to all those who have supported our rugby club."
Trending on RugbyPass
2
Scottish Rugby set for huge Duhan van der Merwe shaped boost
3
World Player of the Year was only a two horse race
4
The full list of 2024 World Rugby Awards winners
5
Latest Comments
I'm starting to believe with the incredible depth of SA rugby SARU should discuss the possibility of not just having Saffers playing for foreign club teams, they should suggest that to bring up the game internationally instead of the Duhans having to spend three years qualifying for the international team there could also be a 'loan' type of agreement where they could play automatically for the country they were in for a specific number of years while the home players had time to improve (or something like that) but the game itself would also benefit from better matches. Just an idea, Rassie...
Go to commentsIf 42 King's Counsel lawyers independently told the NZ government that the Treaty Bill is completely unnecessary, that they should abandon it and it attempts to rewrite the Treaty itself, then you know you've stuffed up royally. Good on ya TJ!
Go to comments