Rugby School Japan Announces Collaboration with Liverpool International Academy Japan in Soccer

Tokyo – 2026.05.22

Rugby School Japan (RSJ) is pleased to announce the launch of a strategic collaboration with Liverpool International Academy Japan. This initiative will further strengthen our commitment to 'Whole Person Education' by integrating high-quality sports, character building, and community engagement.

This collaboration fuses the 450-year educational philosophy cultivated by Rugby School with the globally implemented soccer development methods of Liverpool FC. The initiative builds a systematic and promising athlete development program aligned with RSJ's extracurricular activities and admissions system.

Operating under RSJ's educational and safeguarding frameworks, Liverpool International Academy Japan will provide coaching techniques in line with the club's prestigious academy system. Through this expert instruction, RSJ students will benefit from an enhanced soccer program that supports everything from school-wide participation to high-performance development.

The enhanced soccer program will be implemented throughout the year, including the following:

- Integrating coaching by Liverpool International Academy Japan seamlessly into RSJ's weekly enrichment and sports programs.

- Systematic development pathways for enrolled students seeking higher-level soccer instruction.

- RSJ-hosted invitational tournaments and educational sports events.

- A comprehensive athlete development program including leadership, mentality, and performance education.

- Hands-on, practical evaluation sessions for RSJ students and prospective enrollees.

This collaboration is expected to significantly improve the quality of existing soccer education at RSJ, further expanding growth opportunities for students while supporting the school-wide educational program. It will also serve as an attractive recruitment pathway, showcasing RSJ's world-class enrichment environment to prospective families.

Comments

Leadership Comments

Tony Darby, Principal of Rugby School Japan
"This collaboration signifies a highly meaningful new step for Rugby School Japan. By incorporating Liverpool FC's world-leading soccer coaching methods into our curriculum, we create valuable opportunities for our students to grow not only as athletes but as confident, well-balanced individuals equipped with the resilience to overcome challenges. We are also thrilled to utilize these specialized programs as an attractive pathway for prospective families to directly experience our unique educational philosophy."

Masakazu Shimizu, Liverpool International Academy Japan
"We are highly honored to have the opportunity to collaborate with Rugby School Japan, which holds a long, prestigious history and tradition in the UK. Through this partnership, by introducing the development methods and curriculum used within Liverpool FC's academy system, we believe students will have the opportunity to learn not just soccer skills, but the values of 'The Liverpool Way'. We look forward to seeing the fusion of Rugby School Japan's educational philosophy and Liverpool FC's player development philosophy provide students with meaningful opportunities for learning, personal growth, and development."

About Rugby School Japan

Rugby School Japan is a boarding and day school in the Tokyo metropolitan area that blends 450 years of British educational tradition with modern innovation. Under the philosophy of 'Whole Person Whole Point', the school emphasizes character building, resilience, and wellbeing alongside advanced academic education such as IGCSE and A-Levels.

Within an environment that combines British educational tradition, the flexibility of Tokyo-based boarding, and a family-like community, the school aims to nurture confident, compassionate global citizens prepared for top-tier global university admissions and life beyond.