national

Canada's rugby team help cleanup efforts in Kamaishi after game canceled by typhoon

36 Comments

The requested article has expired, and is no longer available. Any related articles, and user comments are shown below.

© KYODO

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

36 Comments
Login to comment

Just awesome! Thank you Canada!

27 ( +27 / -0 )

.

THAT's class !

.

17 ( +17 / -0 )

Thanks to the Canadians for their offer to help once again.

21 ( +21 / -0 )

Well done!

16 ( +16 / -0 )

Great to see this from you guys, Canada. Well done.

19 ( +20 / -1 )

This is great. How we should all treat each other as human beings.

18 ( +19 / -1 )

Thank you Canada! Most teams would be heading back to the airport, but they volunteered to help the people of Kamaishi. Canada will definitely be on the travel lists of many Japanese now!

11 ( +18 / -7 )

Go Leafs!

2 ( +7 / -5 )

Ganbare - Why so negative? I think MOST teams would have acted similarly.

They were free to help because the game was cancelled.

They were free to help because heading to the airport as you suggested was a no-go because flights were cancelled.

They felt the intensity of the typhoon themselves so knew help was needed.

They understood the suffering of the area since 3/11 and had become close to the locals.

I highly doubt any team under the same circumstances would have acted as you said.

All credit to them for showing great humanity - we are all equal esp under the wrath of nature.

9 ( +15 / -6 )

Good for them, bravo Canadians!

10 ( +13 / -3 )

Thanks Canada, you represented us well!

browny1

you forget Namibia was also free if you're going by your logic but I don't read about them helping.

Helping comes from the heart. It's either there or it isn't. Sometimes you can't just teach it

11 ( +12 / -1 )

Impressive and it puts the whining from some "fans" about the weekend cancellations into perspective.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

Thanks Trudeau!

-9 ( +1 / -10 )

many other teams I am sure would have done the same thing were they in the area and or had the time made available to them.  

I don’t think the team Canada was supposed to play against did so.

0 ( +3 / -3 )

Good on these people. I don't think the nationality means so much -- they saw fellow human suffering, and helped out, as they pointed out it was likely others would have done the same if the shoe were on the other foot. What impressed me most is that, though disappointed about the cancellation, and rightly so, they didn't pout or object out of spite, they did the first thing they felt was natural and helped when others needed it. Well done!

Ganbare Japan: "Canada will definitely be on the travel lists of many Japanese now!"

Why would you go somewhere just because of how you perceive some of the place's people? Likewise, why would you not go somewhere because you met someone from that area who is a jerk? Go because you want to, and because your interested, or maybe even because the destination is a good place. Don't base your decisions on how you are treated or viewed beforehand.

6 ( +10 / -4 )

Absolutely fantastic gesture by the Canadian players who demonstrated the kind of values that are held dearly within the rugby community!

7 ( +9 / -2 )

No worries, your team and Canada won something more precious and valuable: deep respect, appreciation, and acceptance. These are priceless and last forever. Great gesture. Thank you.

8 ( +8 / -0 )

sf2kToday 10:41 am JST

Thanks Canada, you represented us well!

browny1

you forget Namibia was also free if you're going by your logic but I don't read about them helping.

Helping comes from the heart. It's either there or it isn't. Sometimes you can't just teach it

Thanks for your comment.

And in reference to "my logic", I believe I posted most teams in similar situations would help out. What Namibia's situation, mindset, schedule, needs, wants or desires were at that time, I have no idea about.

And helping can be ordered, enforced, done for browny points, even paid for. What I believe you are referring to is genuine heartfelt volunteering.

Which is an admirable quality and well displayed by the Canadians.

I reiterate - I think you'll find most people are willing to give a hand when they see others around them suffering or in dire straits, esp if they themselves have escaped the worse and are physically/mentally capable.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

A true class act. Good things only, good thoughts only.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Thanks Canada for showing something so beautiful. I am not even Japanese, and I am moved. It means humanity is still there, in some people.

2 ( +6 / -4 )

Proud to be Canadian. Good on you boys.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

Great to see these blokes making the best use of their talents... ; )

5 ( +5 / -0 )

I was supporting Canada at their game in Kobe against South Africa who won 66-7. The predominantly Japanese crowd immediately felt empathy for the miss-matched Canadians and cheered loudly on the rare occasions that Canada moved the ball. When Canada scored its only try the cheer was enough to blow the roof off and the Japanese lady next to me started crying for joy! Those guys heard those cheers of support for their hopeless cause and were able to repay in whatever small way they could. Oh Canada!

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Sorry browny1 but what you're stating and what happened are two different things

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The Canadian Team, as any others that went off the beaten track and went out of their way to help the local neighbourhoods that they were in, deserve a special award from the RU. And effort such as this, shows both team spirit, lack of self-interest, and empathy towards those in need. Regardless whether or not others think of it as an organised publicity stunt, it's the actual thought and actions thereafter, that really count, so well done Canadian Team, good show!

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Props to them...a lovely gesture.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

A comment says the team was small. So maybe some of them didn’t help, but to the point as least some of them helped. Remember they didn’t have to.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Well, this is truly a class act by the Canadian rugby team. And I like Canada too, so it makes me even happier that they did this. Even though I won’t be visiting that area of Japan when I do visit in December, I would sure like to check it out, just because of this.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Now that's CLASSY! Let's not forget the Japanese team cleaned up everything in the restrooms and locker rooms after their loss in the last summer Olympics held in Russia. That was classy too.

Win, lose or no game at all - the Canadian rugby team showed great sportsmanship. As an American who visited extensively thruout Canada this summer, I say KUDOS!

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Are we to the point to where professional athletes have to clean up for themselves now?

-5 ( +0 / -5 )

starpunk: "Let's not forget the Japanese team cleaned up everything in the restrooms and locker rooms after their loss in the last summer Olympics held in Russia. That was classy too."

What does one have to do with the other? Did Russia suffer a typhoon or major disaster that required the cleanup? Was the cleanup staff at the typhoon sites in Japan off-duty at the time? They are so unrelated that we don't need a reminder of how unrelated they are. Finally, the Canadians weren't seeking to be recognised or self-approved by the act -- whereas you never stopped hearing Japanese talk about how great it was they cleaned up (as though the people speaking also took part), and how it is truly unique Japanese culture, etc. In fact, in true humility and a "motenasu" attitude, the Canadian players said, "others in this situation would do the same."

0 ( +1 / -1 )

https://www.facebook.com/city.miyako/posts/3014580798768087

The Namibian team set up a fan appreciation event in Iwate’s Miyako City, where the team had been staying, signing autographs and posing for pictures with fans in hopes of giving them some extra cheer as they deal with the aftermath of the storm.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

smithinjapan

 In fact, in true humility and a "motenasu" attitude, the Canadian players said, "others in this situation would do the same."

Don't be so sure. I hate to say it but Olympic teams from my country have been notorious for being slobby, and totally trashing their locker rooms and hotels and such. No - we must give credit where credit is due. Not all others in such a scenario would do the same because there are some athletes who just don't give a damn. So salutes to the Canadian players here for showing maturity, a helping hand and acting with class.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites