IBM Big Blue (rugby union)
Full name | IBM Big Blue | |
---|---|---|
Union | Japan Rugby Football Union | |
Nickname(s) | Big Blue, BBB | |
Founded | 1976 | |
Location | Yachiyo, Chiba, Japan | |
Ground(s) | IBM Yachiyodai Ground | |
Coach(es) | Hiroki Ando | |
|
IBM Big Blue is a Japanese semi-professional rugby union team in the Top League. The team was founded in 1976 by IBM. The company decided to make rugby, along with baseball and American football, one of the official company sports in 1989, which allowed the rugby club to gain support and momentum.
Big Blue won promotion from the Japan East Ten league to the Top League at the end of the League's first season (2003-4) but was then automatically relegated by coming 12th in the second season (2004-5). The team returned to the Top League for the 2006-7 season. It is based in Chiba prefecture in the Kanto area.
The former head coach, Ippei Onishi, is a former captain of Kobe Kobelco Steelers. As of 2007–2008, the coach is Hiroki Ando. USA Eagle flyhalf Mike Hercus is a notable alumnus.
Squad 2011/2012
Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.
See also
References
- ^ "secom-rugguts - japonrugby". www.japonrugby.net. Archived from the original on 2015-04-02.
External links
- IBM Big Blue RFC - official home page
- Articles with short description
- Short description matches Wikidata
- Pages using infobox rugby team with unknown parameters
- Rugby union teams in Japan
- Rugby in Kantō
- Rugby clubs established in 1976
- Sports clubs and teams in Chiba Prefecture
- IBM
- 1976 establishments in Japan
- All stub articles
- Japanese sport stubs
- Rugby union team stubs