Baseball Queensland was honoured to host Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School for the Kobe Koryo – Queensland Friendship Series, reinforcing the strong ties between Japan and Australia through the shared love of baseball.
The series provided a valuable opportunity for our Queensland Women’s Baseball program to compete at a high level, testing their skills against an international opponent while fostering meaningful connections beyond the game. The competition showcased the talent, discipline, and sportsmanship of both teams, underscoring the importance of international collaboration in athlete development.
Reflecting on the series, Baseball Queensland CEO Gareth Jones shared:
“What an incredible visit from Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School. Their games against our Queensland Women’s Baseball program were a fantastic showcase of international competition, strengthening the bonds between our teams and providing a high-quality experience for all involved. It was a privilege to host them and witness the spirit of the game in action.”
The exchange was equally impactful for the Kobe Koryo team, as expressed by Satomi Yamasaki, Teacher and Female Baseball Program Coordinator at Kobe Koryo Gakuen High School, “All students and the teachers say that this exchange program is really good for all of us. Most of the players say that they want to go back to Australia as soon as possible. Even now, in school when I meet the players who went to Queensland, they say ‘Hello’ or ‘Good morning’ in English to me, which is very good.”
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Redlands Rays Baseball Club and Mudgeeraba Red Sox Baseball Clubs for their exceptional hospitality and support throughout this series. Your contributions in hosting the games and creating a welcoming atmosphere were key to the success of the event, and we greatly appreciate your involvement. We would also like to acknowledge the efforts of Danny Maruyama, Andy Utting, and Nick Bachono. Danny played a crucial role in organising the exchange and had the honour of throwing the first pitch at the second game, adding a special touch to the occasion. Andy Utting, 2004 Athens Olympic silver medallist and Baseball Queensland Board Member, delivered a thoughtful closing speech, highlighting the importance of international competition and the connections formed during this exchange. Nick Bachono, Interim Performance Program Manager, worked diligently behind the scenes to ensure the event ran smoothly, providing vital support and ensuring a high-quality experience for both teams.
Following the games, the host clubs organised classic Aussie-style bbq dinners, providing a relaxed setting where many new international friendships began to flourish. Conversations flowed between the teams, from discussing the games to attempting to communicate in both English and Japanese. Despite the age difference – with the Japanese team being high school students and the Queensland team ranging in age – there was a shared excitement and plenty of smiling faces. It was a heartwarming reminder of the power of sport to bring people together, no matter the language, background, or age.
The Kobe Koryo – Queensland Friendship Series was about much more than just baseball—it was a celebration of connection and cultural exchange. This exchange provided players with the opportunity to forge lasting friendships, experience a new culture, and pave the way for future international games between Queensland and Japan. While we were honoured to host Kobe Koryo here in Queensland, we’re equally excited to build on this partnership by taking our Queensland Women’s team abroad for future competitions. We look forward to the chance to play on their turf—or rather, their dirt infield, which adds a unique touch to the baseball experience in Japan. The relationships formed on and off the field during this series are just the beginning, and we are excited for the next chapter of this growing international collaboration.