Rising Suns Tryout#2: Report | Rising Suns | Hope 81
Rising Suns Tryout#2: Report
Now that we’ve reached the mid-way point of our 2010 Rising Suns campaign, this is a good opportunity to stop and reflect a bit on how our team is shaping up...
If you want to skip ahead to the Japanese/日本語 report (with more pictures) go to our Rising Suns team blog.
First of all, just to comment on a few things about building a Japanese national team representation:
Our returning team captain Shuji Takei (ST) has continued to provide Hope 81 with awesome leadership and his professionalism, dedication and commitment have been great to build around. ST represents our team values 100%, on and off the court. Running team workouts, keeping up communication between the players and our Rising Suns management (in English and Japanese), and working tirelessly to build a stronger team for 2010. It seems he truly understands the significance of this opportunity to represent Japan on the world stage in Paris -- having played last year and experiencing the magnitude of QUAI 54 first-hand. Perhaps others haven’t realized it yet, but this could be the biggest chance many of our local Japanese players will see in their lifetime. Its time to step up and represent, Japan! This is your chance.
As for tryouts, our 2nd round was held here in Tokyo last month, and the turnout we had was very encouraging. Here are a few things to grow from:
1) We doubled the number of participants from our 1st round of tryouts back in November, so we’re definitely happy that more people are beginning to understand what the Rising Suns player development program is all about.
2) It was great to have some of Tokyo’s toughest players come out and earn their chance to represent Japan @ QUAI 54 in Paris. Guys that we’ve been watching in local street leagues like Legends or Somecity, and players from local club teams. We know they can play, but now they’ve got to show us the heart and hustle, and battle for a spot on the team. This is what its all about...skills development. Nobody said it would be easy!
3) With our RS2010 ‘Player Pool’ system, players selected from the tryouts will be given a chance to participate in weekly workouts, special training sessions, exhibition games, etc. and prove that they deserve a spot on our RS2010 日本代表 squad. *Those players have already been notified, so now its time to run.
The countdown has begun...we’ve got a little less than four months to go until the QUAI 54 2010 International Streetball Championships. The excitement is growing and we’re getting pumped for our second visit to Paris! Its time to shift into overdrive, and push beyond expectations. This is our chance. Our challenge. Our championship.
