‘Game On English’ - new English and sport product launched for Japan market today
7 July 2014
New Zealand has teamed up its expertise in rugby and English language teaching to develop a new edu-sport programme for
Japan in the lead up to the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the 2020 Summer Olympics.
The ‘Game On English’ programme matches English language providers with sports academies to deliver centrally-organised,
bespoke courses for young athletes.
In the lead up to Japan hosting the Rugby World Cup and Summer Olympics the Japanese Government aims to improve English
language skills and increase sporting capacity amongst youth.
“As a country with an envious track record of developing the world’s best rugby players and a top quality education
system, New Zealand is well placed to help the Japanese government meet this goal.
“Growing export revenue from international education is a key part of the Government’s Business Growth Agenda.
Programmes such as ‘Game On English’ are aligning New Zealand’s educational expertise with demand in the global market,”
says Grant McPherson, Chief Executive, Education New Zealand.
Japan is now the third largest source of international students to New Zealand.
“Our success as a country will be determined by our level of connectedness with the rest of the world. Education is one
of the best ways to build international linkages. These students will act as ambassadors for New Zealand education
promoting the quality of our education system when they return,” says Mr McPherson
The Iwami Chisuikan sevens team were crowned national champions this year. They will study English at the English
Language Centre of Auckland Institute of Studies (AIS) in the morning and train with Auckland Rugby Academy in the
afternoon for one month.
In two weeks’ time the second tranche of ‘Game On English’ students’ will arrive from Japan. Eleven secondary school
players from Kanto Super League will be based in Dunedin and study English at the University of Otago Language Centre
and receive rugby training from Otago Rugby Football Union and local Dunedin high schools.
Both groups of students are in New Zealand at the invitation of the New Zealand government to pilot the programme.
“It is our intention that ‘Game on English’ will be rolled out nationally and New Zealand will support Japan in
achieving their English language and sporting ambitions in the next five to six years and beyond,” says Mr McPherson.
About Education New Zealand
Education New Zealand (ENZ) is the government’s international education marketing and development agency. ENZ works to
grow awareness of New Zealand as a study destination and to support New Zealand education providers and businesses
taking their services and products abroad.
ENDS