UC sports grad now coaching in Japan
Claudia Doman
14 April 2014: Thanks to his Bachelor of Sport Coaching and Exercise Science at the University of Canberra and an intensive internship with the UC Brumbies, Hitoshi (Ippon) Ipponsugi scored his dream job back home in Japan.
Not long after finishing his degree, Mr Ipponsugi, 37, secured a professional coaching job in the athletic performance division with the Tokyo-based Kubota Spears, one of Japan’s top division rugby union teams.
“I have no doubt that my sport coaching degree and being involved with Super 15 Rugby increased my chance of employment,” Mr Ipponsugi, who has played rugby union for more than half his life, said.
“The knowledge shared at UC was very practical and very transferrable to my coaching. The learning process was a great mix of an academic and practical approach, which I enjoyed. I basically took the knowledge from the lectures out into the field,” he said.
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Hitoshi Ipponsugi pictured with his wife Shoko, mother Kazumi and sister Chisato at his graduation ceremony. Photo: Michelle McAulay |
After interning with the UC Brumbies during the last year of his degree in 2013, Mr Ipponsugi is very grateful for his experience, both at the University and with the team.
“At UC, I had a lot of support from my supervisor and classmates,” he said.
“One of the highlights of my study was the opportunity to work with a professional rugby team such as the Brumbies. As an assistant coach in the athletic performance unit, I was able to have discussions with the coaches, see the players’ responses and experience Super 15 Rugby level of coaching on a daily basis.
“It was all a valuable experience that I did not expect to gain,” he said.
“I don’t think I could do my job now without having done my degree and my internship with the Brumbies.”
Mr Ipponsugi travelled back to Australia with his wife, mother and sister for his graduation ceremony, and is the first one in his family to graduate from university.
“My parents are both very proud,” he said. “I also owe a great deal to my wife Shoko Ipponsugi; without her support I would never have done it.”
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