Chairman Choi Yoon (first row, center), OK Shotman rugby team coach Oh Young-gil (first row, third from the right), and participating middle school rugby team players are taking a commemorative photo after watching the 'Hanazono Gogo National Rugby Tournament' at the '2nd OK Shotman Rugby Academy' held from the 3rd to the 6th. ⓒ OK Shitman Rugby Team
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<p contents-hash="3b1bf706be5aad7ff1c210308d2d9466fe04c60ab170f27e40a77ff8c531b8de" dmcf-pid="GRACn0lwXs" dmcf-ptype="general">OK Financial Group announced on January 7th that the '2nd OK Shotman Rugby Academy' hosted by the OK Shotman Rugby Team concluded with a positive response from participants.</p>
<p contents-hash="6879519e5b2ea951f0dc16670673885066ac41855d560ab1dae8f6f19df003b6" dmcf-pid="HechLpSrHm" dmcf-ptype="general">The academy, a four-day and three-night event running from January 3rd to 6th, brought together 40 players and coaches from middle school rugby teams poised to shape the future of the sport in Korea.</p>
<p contents-hash="2dbc75719703210dbe5e4f6b8c92eefa714fa09293e21de21ce022f506b3c7c0" dmcf-pid="XdkloUvmHr" dmcf-ptype="general">The 'Hanazono High School Rugby National Championship' served as the centerpiece of the academy, a venue steeped in Japanese rugby tradition. It’s a space that regularly draws crowds of up to 28,000 spectators per match, fueled by the energetic support of school cheerleaders, families, local residents, and dedicated rugby fans.</p>
<p contents-hash="6647bfcbf3c5aa81de86b2c50b87fddc6995c567f08aba67983835da93746a9c" dmcf-pid="ZJESguTsYw" dmcf-ptype="general">The OK Shotman Rugby Team chose Hanazono as the location for this academy specifically to immerse young athletes in the unique values of rugby – the no-side spirit, teamwork, and responsibility – and to witness firsthand the respect and growth the sport enjoys within Japanese society.</p>
<p contents-hash="de11327f581048c4cc4cd17287c26006631c7a5e5e233abb74c77f5e25f8703b" dmcf-pid="5iDva7yOZD" dmcf-ptype="general">Participants at the Rugby Academy observed the quarterfinals and semifinals of the Hanazono High School Rugby National Championship, gaining insight into the preparation and execution of world-class high school rugby.</p>
<p contents-hash="cebe60738acde0057d0683c87ca4bf328331afcc78810f2afc4ca55c1ed86c05" dmcf-pid="1nwTNzWIGE" dmcf-ptype="general">Beyond the championship matches, the academy offered a range of experiences, including joint training sessions with a local Japanese middle school rugby team and observing training drills of the 'Hanazono Kintetsu Liners,' a team in the Japanese Professional Rugby League One. These activities exposed the young athletes not only to athletic prowess but also to the broader culture and attitude surrounding the sport.</p>
<p contents-hash="9a2b23a99cba300a3ab5524bc348a8f6fdcb5651d4e9a051411dbec042c255ea" dmcf-pid="tLryjqYC5k" dmcf-ptype="general">Lee Dong-hwan, a student from Bucheon G Sports who attended the Rugby Academy, shared, “Playing rugby in a stadium filled with spectators looked amazing, and I hope to one day experience that kind of support.”</p>
<p contents-hash="4459d0f9ed7aa6f00b667ebb89f25fb3a320696b61fa6fc298fb07ee0169e422" dmcf-pid="3gsYcbHlYA" dmcf-ptype="general">Coach Oh Young-gil of the Shotman Rugby Team expressed his satisfaction with the academy, stating, “Following the success of last year’s inaugural Rugby Academy, I’m pleased to continue providing aspiring rugby players with these meaningful experiences. I hope all participants and coaches cherish the memories from this academy and use them as a springboard for future growth.”</p>
<p contents-hash="d4d66ede78d75bae27a04f02b9401a90381043319cf55fed543bfe87ce716b81" dmcf-pid="0aOGkKXStj" dmcf-ptype="general">Chairman Choi Yoon of OK Financial Group, who also owns the OK Shotman Rugby Team, emphasized that the academy’s primary goal was to instill the right *attitude* towards rugby, rather than simply focusing on winning. He added, “The process is more valued than the result, maintaining dignity in competition, respecting teammates, opponents, and the sport itself – these are the true values of rugby we aimed to convey.”</p>
<p contents-hash="b0fe19178259c13f4cf7e806ec6cf83ea261ad0d094d89f79bb3f19711656547" dmcf-pid="pvFKGL2utN" dmcf-ptype="general">Chairman Choi Yoon further stated, “Based on the experiences gained through the academy, I hope players will define the value of ‘real rugby’ for themselves, rather than accepting a pre-determined answer.” He announced plans to expand the Rugby Academy to include high school and college-level participants, continuing their commitment to fostering the next generation of Korean rugby players.</p>
<p contents-hash="630381e917e1de288f9fdb8489186de273c069295fdefa418206960b625bcc14" dmcf-pid="uy02Xgfz5g" dmcf-ptype="general">The OK Shotman Rugby Academy, first launched last year, is designed to impart the true spirit of rugby to young athletes and promote a positive rugby culture that extends beyond the competitive field.</p>
<p contents-hash="8417d416c3cfc2edaa6ec93e7ac01c76c342fa7100050cfad6af6106b86d96db" dmcf-pid="7WpVZa4qYo" dmcf-ptype="general">Having expanded its reach overseas with an initial program that attracted approximately 180 participants last year, and this second iteration, the academy intends to gradually broaden its scope to include high school and college levels, contingent upon a comprehensive review of various factors.</p>
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