In June 2022, the Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles attended an Australian Football League (AFL) coaching clinic at Akabane Elementary School in Minato-ku, Tokyo, conducted by the AFL’s Japan Development Officer, Mr Michito Sakaki.
(Photo: Australian Embassy in Tokyo)
Mr Sakaki began playing AFL during his time in university and in 2006, he became the first Japanese player in the Victorian Football League with the Bendigo Bombers. He currently organises clinics to spread AFL in Japan, while playing in the national team.
(Photo: Australian Embassy in Tokyo)
Mr Sakaki introduced the rules of AFL to the students and Deputy Prime Minister Marles joined in and practiced skills with the grade five students.
(Photo: Australian Embassy in Tokyo)
It was a special opportunity for the Deputy Prime Minister to visit Akabane School and share AFL with the Japanese primary school students during his visit to Tokyo.