Over 150 young rugby hopefuls gather in one place! OK Eutman Rugby Team to hold the '3rd OK Eutman Rugby Academy' on the 15th

*This content was translated by AI.

Young rugby hopefuls from Korea and abroad gather in one place.

On the 12th, OK Financial Group's Eutman Rugby Team (OK Rugby Team) announced that it will hold the '3rd OK Eutman Rugby Academy <Are you ready to meet real rugby?>' (hereinafter referred to as the Rugby Academy) from the 15th to the 17th at Incheon Seo-gu Hanaglobal Campus.

This year's Rugby Academy will see participation by over 150 individuals, including students from 11 middle schools and sports clubs in Korea and Dubai Tigers from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Since its inception last year, the Rugby Academy has expanded its scope to become a platform for young rugby hopefuls not only from various regions within Korea but also from overseas participants.

Especially this year, companies that resonate with the academy's purpose of supporting student athletes' growth are joining forces. Hummel Korea is sponsoring prizes such as bags and various apparel to motivate participating players, while Dong-A Otsuka is providing water and ion drinks to ensure athletes can participate in training stably over the two-night, three-day period. The total sponsorship value provided by both companies amounts to 10 million won.

Marking its third edition, this Rugby Academy has diversified its program to offer not only technical education necessary for improving game performance but also experiences in player management, rugby values, and exchanges among participants. On the first day, the event begins with an opening ceremony and orientation, followed by basic training such as passing and kicking, as well as theoretical and practical instruction on rugby rules. Participating players will learn the fundamentals of rugby through group-based education while systematically studying the rules required in game situations through both theory and practice.

On the second day, real-game technical training including tackles and contact drills will be conducted alongside injury prevention and nutrition education essential for a player's career. Educational programs are also prepared to watch rugby-related content and reflect on the history and values of Korean rugby, as well as the meaning rugby holds in an evolving era. In the evening, a 'Night of Unity' featuring both participating students and OK Eutman Rugby Team players will be held.

Students will freely ask questions and receive answers from active players, resolving their curiosities about training, games, and player life. Various participatory programs such as AI image generation and music-based games will also be conducted, creating opportunities for students to mingle and exchange ideas beyond grade levels and team affiliations.

On the final day, an 'OK Rugby Festival' will unfold, allowing participants to directly apply the skills they have learned over two nights and three days through games and play. Third-year players will compete in mini rugby matches, while first- and second-year players will engage in tag rugby. Alongside this, various programs utilizing rugby such as team passing competitions, rugby ball dribbling, perfect passes, Rugby Olympics, and air tackles will be held to experience both competition and enjoyment together.

After all schedules are completed, one outstanding player and high- and low-grade excellent teams with high participation levels will be selected for awards. The excellent teams will receive prize items sponsored by Hummel Korea, and participating players will also be presented with commemorative rugby balls from the academy. Following the award ceremony, statements of appreciation from participants, and group photo sessions, OK Eutman Rugby Team players will personally see off the departing participants, concluding the two-night, three-day journey.

The OK Eutman Rugby Academy is a youth development program designed to help student athletes who will lead the future of Korean rugby enhance their skills through systematic education while naturally internalizing values such as perseverance, cooperation, and sacrifice, as well as the 'No-Side spirit' of respecting opponents after the game ends. Beyond techniques and tactics, the academy's main purpose is to convey the authenticity, roots, and No-Side spirit of Korean rugby.

The first academy, held for the first time in August last year, saw players and coaches from 10 schools nationwide participate. In January this year, the event expanded its stage to Hanazono in Osaka, Japan, where 40 middle school players and coaches from Korea conducted joint training with local middle school teams and experienced high school rugby tournaments and professional team training in Japan.

Choi Yun, Chairman of OK Financial Group, stated firmly, "The reason we started the Rugby Academy is not merely to teach skills well, but to help young players learn the values of 'real rugby'—respecting teammates and opponents through shared sweat and physical challenges—with their bodies." He added, "I hope this two-night, three-day experience and the new connections formed will become a solid asset for participating players as they grow into true rugger players in the future."

A representative of the Eutman Rugby Team said, "Reflecting on the operational experiences from the previous two academies and feedback from participants, we have diversified this year's program to include not only fundamentals and rule education but also grade-level games, player management training, and exchanges with active players." He further added, "We will ensure thorough preparation until the end so that participating players can not only improve their skills but also truly feel the joy and value of rugby before returning home."

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*This content was translated by AI.