Dear All 
Great news from Japan - the second concrete pitch at Fuji has undergone a massive transformation in the last couple of weeks.  Thanks to a large number of volunteers, the ground has been cut back from the dense jungle that it was to what you can see on the photos.  The ground will next be rotary hoed and grassed, and finally concreted.  Thanks to everyone who contributed, we look forward to your continued support on this project. 
Regards, Mark. 

Dear Everyone, 
I would like to give everyone a basic update of some JCA activities and especially the work being done at the Fuji ground.  It is really a little forward of me to bring the news of the Fuji ground development as it is not my project, but the real people involved are a little modest and may not take the appropriate credit for what is happening. 

Yesterday (Sunday, 5th May) and Today (Monday, 6th May), at the Fuji Kasenjiki ground, a second cricket field was cut and a concrete pitch was marked out for pouring sometime in the near future.  This is a great development for cricket in Japan, and especially the people who use the Fuji facilities at any time during the cricket season.  In addition, a venue was chosen to place two permanent cricket nets on a concrete block at the side of the ground (close to where the shed and mower are kept).  This will theoretically (and hopefully in actuality also) mean that people can practice at the same time as 2 games are being played, a vast improvement on anything we have in Japan at the moment.  

The people who should take the most credit for all of this happening are in no particular order: Naoaki Saida (JCA Committee Member, Japan National Team member), Mark McTamney (Men's National Team Coach/ Fuji Grounds Keeper/ ordinary right hand batsman),  Junior Takahashi (Men's National Team Member, Fuji Far East Main Contact for organising the Fuji Ground), Anton McCloy (Fuji Grounds Keeper, Respected Umpire, Very Good Fielder). 

I do not want to go into the details of all the work these guys have done, because the email would never end, and I am sure that Mark and Anton will give a much better and elaborate version if you ever ask them.  But safe to say, they have all been very deliberate, dedicated and imaginative to make this project happen, and it will be something that all cricketers in Japan can enjoy for years to come.  Please thank them for all their work next time you see them.  

The Fuji Hotel Association has also become involved in this project, donating people, money, resources and support as they see the benefit in having cricketers coming to Fuji and using their hotels, which cricketers have been doing for years.  This has truly become a community project in Fuji, which is great because cricket is actually also getting some official (local governement, local businesses) recognition in Fuji.  

This past weekend also, the National Women's side had their final selection trial in Fuji, from which a team will be selected to represent Japan at a World Cup preliminary tournament in Holland in July.  25 canditates and their coaches spent 3 days in the hot sun for the chance to represent Japan, so I hope that everyone in Japan cricket also appreciates this upcoming event, and even lends their support if you have the chance. 

I have also had the opportunity over the past couple of months to become involved in the JCA committee and to have a say in their operations.  Recently I have been appointed to a liason position on behalf of the JCA to try and set up a structure for the developement of Japanese coaching, competitions, national teams, umpiring and scoring.  I can assure every person in the KCL that there is now ample opportunity for anyone who is interested in having their say on how Japanese cricket should be run to attend meetings, send emails, make suggestions or constructively criticize if you would like to.  If there are others of you that would like to take a more active role in cricket in Japan besides just playing in your club teams in terms of coaching, manager roles, administration, umpiring, scoring or anything else then please contact me and let me know.  

On the 24th and 25th of May, the JCA is running a 2 day Level 1 coaching course in Fuji that is open to anyone who is interested in attending.  The course will be conducted by a professional coach from Australia, and you will receive official Level 1 accreditation from the ICC if you attend the course.  The fee for attending the course is 8,500 yen which includes hotel accommodation, an official dinner on Saturday night, and the course itself.  I would like to encourage anyone interested in obtaining a level 1 coaching accreditation to please do so, as this type of course can only be run once a year at the moment.  

I know this has been quite a large amount of information, but if any of you are interested in finding out more details about any of the above then please feel free to contact me evenings only on: 090-4533-2858 or 03-3945-2499. 

All the best, and any comments welcome. 
Cheers, 
Robb McKenna