EUGENE, Ore. (KATU) — Oregon Ducks football is headed to Tokyo this summer for a three-day showcase aimed at building connections between American and Japanese football communities.
Division Street Events, in partnership with the Japan Gridiron Association, announced today that it will stage the Tokyo Oregon Football Showcase presented by Flight Club from June 25-27 in Tokyo.
Organizers said the event is designed to celebrate the historical connection between Oregon and Japanese American football while tapping into growing interest in the sport in the region.
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“The Tokyo Oregon Football Showcase continues our legacy of creating innovative programs for student-athletes that are unmatched in the industry,” Division Street CEO Rosemary St. Clair said.
“This event will be a celebration of how sport transcends borders and creates lasting cultural connections. Our goal is to introduce Oregon athletes and the Duck football brand to Japanese fans and establish a foundation of excitement and fan engagement that we can build on in future years.”
The inaugural showcase will focus on introducing 7-on-7 American football to the Japanese football community. Organizers said American football has been played in Japan for more than 100 years and that Japanese flag football teams are among the world’s best, but 7-on-7 competitions are new in the country.
Participating University of Oregon athletes will conduct a live exhibition to demonstrate fundamental skills, core concepts and techniques.
Oregon Coach Dan Lanning is also scheduled to lead a coaches clinic covering basic route combinations, offensive concepts and broader tactical strategies.
“The opportunity to represent the University of Oregon in Tokyo is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” Lanning said. “Football has taken all of us to incredible places, and it will be special to connect with players and coaches who love this game as much as we do. We are excited to share how we approach the game and to be part of something that’s much bigger than one trip.”
The event will take place at The American School in Japan and is expected to include Oregon players Dante Moore, Dakorien Moore, Jamari Johnson, Jeremiah McClellan, Evan Stewart, Jordon Davison and Dierre Hill Jr.
Organizers said Division Street also plans to engage with key stakeholders during the trip to explore the potential for launching a more permanent league concept for youth and high school players.
“We are thrilled to partner with Division Street Events on the Tokyo Oregon Football Showcase,” Japan Gridiron Association co-founder Tyler Moore said. “This event represents a historic opportunity for Japanese athletes to watch and learn from one of America’s premier football programs.”
“Having Coach Lanning and the caliber of talent from the University of Oregon come to Japan demonstrates the growing recognition of our community’s passion for American football,” JGA co-founder Joshua Cisneros said.
Division Street is a sport venture company founded to create marketing opportunities for University of Oregon student-athletes.
The Japan Gridiron Association describes itself as an American football association that facilitates cross-border showcases, camps, evaluation opportunities and educational programs across Japan and the Asia-Pacific region.
Flight Club, the event’s presenting sponsor, was established in New York City in 2005 and is known as a consignment retailer for rare and collectible sneakers, with stores in New York City, Los Angeles and Miami.
AloJapan.com