webmaster The “JENESYS ASEAN-Japan Sports (Rugby) x SDGs Exchange“, an exchange program promoted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan to promote understanding between theASEAN and Japan took place.
Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) supports the programme as a part of the “Asian Scrum Project”, an international exchange program through rugby.
This project is a part of the 50th anniversary of the ASEAN-Japan Friendship Cooperation programs. Participants were 80 university students who are interested in Rugby and one person from the national rugby union from 11 countries (ASEAN member countries and Timor-Leste). They visit Tokyo, Fukuoka, and Saitama to participate in various exchange activities to learn and experience Rugby and Japanese culture.
Mark Villmora, who participated in this program (hereinafter referred to as the “JENESYS”), later became a team manager of the Philippine Women’s 7s team at the Southeast Asian Games (SEA). He experienced rugby for the first time through this program and shared his story of becoming the manager of the national team and his experiences with JENESYS.
▲JENESYS Alumni Mark Villamora
Did you have rugby experience before JENESYS?
– None. The JENESYS was the first time I touched a rugby ball. When I received the result in December that I’ll be going to go to Japan to attend the program, for me that was the best Christmas gift I’ve received in my life. It was also at that time where my interest in Rugby really struck me. Almost everyday during Christmas break, I keep watching and researching about Rugby.
▲Mark Villamora during the Reporting Session on the last day in Tokyo with Ms. Mary Joy B. Ramirez, first secretary and consul from the Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines and during the exchange in Fukuoka.
When playing tag rugby with new teammates from different countries in the JENESYS program, what did you focus on or consider important?
– Since it is a friendly match, I tried to focus on enjoying and building friends more than being competitive. Also, I was always looking for ways where I can talk to other participants and learn about their lives. Among the people I have met, the one I remember the most is Coach Izzy Kadir from Singapore, as we are in the same team during the program. It was just so amazing that both of us met again, but this time, in Singapore. When I participated in the Women’s 7s team at the Southeast Asian Games (SEA) as the team manager, he was the first person I saw when I opened the conference room for the team manager’s meeting. I remember him sitting at the front desk where both of us were in shock as we saw each other. I will never forget those moments.
▲Mark Villamora (Philippines) and Coach Izzy Kadir (Singapore) in Japan and South East Asian (SEA) 7s in SIngapore
What life skills did you learn through rugby in the JENESYS program? and how did you become a manager for the women’s national team?
– Always take one step ahead to do the extras. The whole program whether we play, paint, or in any activities we do in the JENESYS program, I always find ways to do the extra effort. I believe that these extra efforts were why I received a message from Coach Jane Francisco, who accompanied us during the JENESYS program. When we returned home, she reached out to inform me that she was looking for a team manager for the national team.
With the women’s national 7’s team, I had the same attitude and did the same thing when I was at the JENESYS. I don’t have a background in Team Management but I am glad that I am with the right people from Philippine Rugby Football Union who could help me.
▲Preparing the hydration of the Women’s Team at the SEA 7s Philippine Team
What was the most impressive thing you learned about in rugby through the JENESYS program?
You never really know who you might become. Who would have thought I would be able to manage teams just a month after the JENESYS program?
I believe that every decision you make in life, when you follow what your instinct tells you, “I want to apply for this,” or “I want to try this,” is always the right decision, as opposed to doing nothing. I applied to the JENESYS program, telling myself to just give it a try and see if I could make it, and the rest is history.
▲With the Philippine’s Women’s Rugby Team
▲During the Jersey Presentation for the SEA 7s in Singapore
What’s your next dream in rugby or outside of rugby?
It is my ultimate dream for growing sports in my country like Rugby, to gain more attention and have any kind of support when they represent the Philippine Flag. I wish that every Filipino athlete competing at international level can focus on doing their best and giving pride to the Philippines without worrying about their situation. After I graduate with my sport science degree, I would like to work in the Philippine Sports Commission and or the Philippine Olympic Committee, where I can continue to support and serve the Filipino athletes.
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The Japan Rugby Football Union (JRFU) has significantly impacted my growth in rugby. I wouldn’t be as inspired to devote myself to rugby without the people I look up to in JRFU. I remember how organized and punctual each of the JRFU staff was as they hosted the Sports Exchange Program of JENESYS for rugby. These qualities are what I brought back home with me to my country.
▲With Coach Toshi and Coach Koki from JRFU during the end of JENESYS friendly match in Fukuoka.