Post by Ben Herring

3–13 December 2026, its on! A Japan rugby coaching development tour! I wanted to help coaches get better. How do coaches actually get better? Courses are great. Books are helpful. Podcasts can inspire (and thats the point!) But nothing comes close to standing beside great coaches, watching how they think, how they interact, and the little things they do every day. I didnt see enough coaches being able to do this, so I have asked two of the best that have been on the Coaching Culture podcast to take some coaches away for the ultimate professional development. Its called:   Elite Coaches Tour of Japan. From 3–13 December, just 20 coaches will travel through Japan alongside two of the most respected coaches in world rugby. Sir Gordon Tietjens The most successful Sevens coach in history Over 20 years leading the All Blacks Sevens A coach who has influenced generations of players and coaches around the world Matt Cockbain 63-Test Wallaby Rugby World Cup winner More than a decade coaching and living in Japan Someone who knows the rugby landscape, the people and the culture better than almost anyone Together they'll take you behind the scenes of one of the world's most fascinating rugby nations. We'll visit professional clubs, national high-performance environments, schools and universities, experience Japanese rugby culture firsthand, travel from Osaka to Tokyo on the Shinkansen, watch live matches, and have countless conversations that simply can't happen over Zoom or in a classroom. But this isn't just about what you'll see. It's about who you'll become. You'll spend ten days with a small group of coaches who all want to improve. The conversations over breakfast, on the train, after training and over dinner are often the moments that stay with you the longest. Before we even leave, we'll meet online to start building the group. We'll explore Japanese coaching and culture, discuss what to look for, and make sure everyone arrives ready to maximise the experience. When we return, we'll reconnect again, helping you turn what you've seen into practical ideas you can apply in your own environment. We will keep the group together as a mastermind group. My goal isn't simply to take coaches to Japan. It's to create a coaching community that continues learning long after the tour finishes. If you're serious about growing as a coach, this is an experience unlike anything else available. Japan on a rugby coaching tour like this, trust me, this will be like nothing else. There are only 20 places available. DM, to get itinerary and details Proudly run by Gullivers travel. I'd love to have you with us. Ben Herring Gullivers The Coaching Room Rugby Union Players'​ Association (RUPA) Australian Rugby Foundation NSW Positive Rugby Foundation Sir Gordon Tietjens Matt Cockbain Queensland Rugby Union (Queensland Reds) Mike Chu Michael Magriplis, MISM