NTT Japan Rugby League One: Kensuke Shimogawa Appointed as New GM of LeRIRO Fukuoka

Key facts

  • NTT Japan Rugby League One: Kensuke Shimogawa Appointed as New GM of LeRIRO Fukuoka
  • Effective June 1, 2026, Kensuke Shimogawa is appointed as the new General Manager of LeRIRO Fukuoka. The club launches a new structure for the 2026-27 season, focusing on community-rooted operations and regional ties.
  • Source: PR Times
  • Date: June 5, 2026

Direct answer

Effective June 1, 2026, Kensuke Shimogawa is appointed as the new General Manager of LeRIRO Fukuoka. The club launches a new structure for the 2026-27 season, focusing on community-rooted operations and regional ties.

Citation
NTT Japan Rugby League One: Kensuke Shimogawa Appointed as New GM of LeRIRO Fukuoka (June 5, 2026), PR Times
Source
PR Times
Date
June 5, 2026
Effective June 1, 2026, Kensuke Shimogawa is appointed as the new General Manager of LeRIRO Fukuoka. The club launches a new structure for the 2026-27 season, focusing on community-rooted operations and regional ties.
sportsNQ 78/100出典：PR Times

📋 Article Processing Timeline

  • 📰 Published: June 5, 2026 at 19:00
  • 🔍 Collected: June 5, 2026 at 10:22
  • 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 6, 2026 at 20:21 (33h 59m after Collected)
LeRIRO Fukuoka, a member of the NTT Japan Rugby League One (operated by LERIRO Co., Ltd., based in Ukiha City, Fukuoka), announced the appointment of Kensuke Shimogawa as the new General Manager (GM), effective June 1, 2026. After four seasons since the team's inception in April 2022, including two consecutive Top Kyushu A League championships and entry into League One, former GM Yuta Goto is stepping down. Shimogawa, a Kurume City native, brings diverse experience from studying sports business in New Zealand and coaching at Fukuoka Institute of Technology. Since the 2024-25 season, he managed regional revitalization and business development for LeRIRO Fukuoka. Looking ahead to the 2026-27 season, the club promises three visions: being a community-rooted club, embodying the value of support, and maintaining pride among united players and staff. Building on tie-ups with 14 host municipalities and engaging over 400 partner companies, the club aims to strengthen regional ties and solve local issues through new business initiatives.

FAQ

Who is the new General Manager of LeRIRO Fukuoka?

Kensuke Shimogawa has been appointed as the new GM, effective June 1, 2026.

What is Kensuke Shimogawa's background?

Born in Kurume, Fukuoka, he has experience in rugby coaching in New Zealand and has been handling regional revitalization and business development for LeRIRO Fukuoka since the 2024-25 season.

Where is LeRIRO Fukuoka based?

The team is based in Ukiha City, Fukuoka, with a host area covering 14 municipalities in the Chikugo region.

What is unique about LeRIRO Fukuoka's management model?

The team does not have a parent company and is supported by a community-linked management model with about 400 sponsor companies and personal player sponsorships.

What are LeRIRO Fukuoka's goals for the 2026-27 season?

They aim to be a club rooted in the community, embody the value of support, and be a club where players and staff take pride in their work.

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