Just weeks ago, Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School welcomed Baseball Queensland’s Japan Tour and our 18U Girls’ team for a series of games and an opportunity to engage in a cultural exchange. Now Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School has captured the Japanese National High School Girls’ Baseball Championship!
Baseball Queensland extends its congratulations to Principal Mr Arimoto, International Program Coordinator Ms Yamasaki, Head Coach Mr Ishihara, the players and the entire Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School community on their remarkable Japanese High School Baseball Girls’ National Championship, continuing a tradition of excellence.
During Baseball Queensland’s 2026 Japan Tour, the Queensland Under 18 Girls spent three days immersed in the Kobe Koryo program, playing a three-game series, training together, sharing meals and building friendships with the team that would soon be crowned Japan’s best.
For Kobe Koryo Gakuen, the visit formed an important part of their cultural and language skill development and an opportunity to develop international friendships through baseball.
For Queensland, it was an opportunity unlike any other.
Following the opening game of the series, Under 18 Head Coach Cheyne Murphy reminded his players just how significant the experience was.
“The Kobe Koryo Gakuen team might be the best girls’ high school team in the world, so we need to take this opportunity to learn what we can and not get too weighed down by the result on the scoreboard.”
Those words have since proven prophetic.
Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School went on to capture the national championship, further cementing their reputation as one of the world’s premier girls’ baseball programs. While the scoreboards during the tour reflected the quality of the Japanese side, they also highlighted the incredible opportunity Queensland’s athletes had to challenge themselves against the eventual national champions.
The Queensland players witnessed firsthand the discipline, attention to detail and work ethic that defines Japanese baseball. Training alongside the team, sharing time in the classroom and cafeteria, and travelling together created a cultural exchange that extended far beyond competition. The friendships formed between players from Queensland and Japan became one of the defining features of the tour, demonstrating how baseball can bring people together across languages and cultures.
Baseball Queensland CEO Gareth Jones said the experience reinforced the value of the organisation’s growing relationship with Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School.
“To have our athletes exposed to the standard of baseball that would go on to win a Japanese National Championship is something incredibly special,” Jones said.
“It reflects the strength of the partnership we’ve built with Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School. While the baseball is world class, it’s the willingness to share knowledge, culture and friendship that makes this relationship so valuable.”
“Our players returned home with far more than baseball memories. They experienced a level of excellence that will inspire them for years to come while building friendships that transcend borders.”
Baseball Queensland sincerely thanks Principal Mr Arimoto, Ms Yamasaki, Coach Mr Ishihara, the players and the wider Kobe Koryo Gakuen community for their outstanding hospitality and generosity throughout the tour 2026 BQ Japan Tour.
Congratulations once again on becoming the 2026 Japanese National High School Girls’ Baseball Champions. We are proud that Baseball Queensland could play a small part in your preparation and look forward to continuing our partnership for many years to come.
