Rugby World Cup Tokyo Recruitment for 10,000 Volunteers Begins

On April 23, the Rugby World Cup 2019 Organizing Committee began recruiting volunteers for "TEAM NO-SIDE" and held a press conference at Marunouchi Building Hall in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo.
Approximately 10,000 volunteers will be recruited across the 12 host cities nationwide. They are expected to serve as the face of the tournament and of Japan.

"No-Side" is originally a British rugby term meaning the end of the match. However, Japanese rugby players have long used it to symbolize the rugby spirit of mutual respect and friendship shared after the game. For this tournament, the name was adopted to convey and embody the message that the world is one.

Reflecting on the 2015 England tournament, Akio Shimazu, Secretary General of the Organizing Committee, stated, "From the moment we landed at the airport, we were greatly assisted by volunteers at the stadiums, fan zones, and elsewhere. They represented a wide range of ages." He added, "For the Japan tournament, just like the team name suggests, we hope people from diverse backgrounds will apply. The tournament spans 44 days and will be held across 12 cities. We encourage active applications from each region."
Deborah Jones, Deputy Director of Human Resources Strategy, explained the volunteers' main roles, such as spectator support, stating, "Being a World Cup volunteer will be a wonderful opportunity for a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

Appearing at the announcement were tournament ambassador and former rugby player Daisuke Ohata, rugby journalist Koichi Murakami, and talent Ruriko Kojima, who was appointed as a volunteer supporter. Kojima expressed her delight at the appointment and introduced the recruitment video.
The three discussed the tournament, now just over 500 days away.
Kojima proposed, "At the last tournament in England, there was a parade, and it was so stylish I wanted to participate. I hope we can march alongside volunteers at the Japan tournament and feel the excitement of saying, 'We helped make this tournament happen!'" Murakami added, "If Japan wins, a parade will definitely happen," expressing high hopes for the Japanese team's performance.

Volunteer eligibility requires applicants to be at least 18 years old as of March 31, 2019, and able to participate in volunteer activities for up to 8 hours per day. Applicants must attend interviews held between August and December this year. Selected volunteers will undergo training starting next year, with assignments finalized by summer.
The Tokyo Metropolitan Government will recruit volunteers from the Tokyo Tourism Volunteers and the Tokyo Marathon Foundation's official volunteer club "Volunteerers," recommending approximately 1,000 volunteers out of the 3,000 active in Tokyo to the Organizing Committee. Volunteers who served at the Tokyo venue are also expected to continue as city volunteers for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Volunteers who took the stage highlighted the appeal of volunteering, stating: "You meet people you wouldn't normally encounter in daily life and gain invaluable experience," and "I felt there was a common language even with people from different countries. Sharing that was incredibly rewarding."
The application period runs from noon on April 23, 2018, to 11:59 AM on July 18, 2018. Applications are accepted via the official website ( https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/volunteers ).