Following recent announcements we are happy to confirm the new staff structures for all the Japanese National Squads for 2025, along with some changes in staff positions. 

Men:

There are no changes to the Men’s structure with Men’s Japan National Squad and Men’s Japan A Squad remaining in place. 

The Men’s Japan National Squad is an annual training squad consisting of the top performing players. The aim of the squad is to build an inspirational Men’s National Team. Men’s Japan National Teams that play International Cricket are selected from this squad.

The Men’s Japan A Squad, is an annual training squad consisting of promising players with the potential of representing Japan. This squad aims to help such players maximise their potential.

The staffing is as follows: 

• Dhugal Bedingfield: Head Coach and Head Selector
  
• Alan Curr: Selector
  
• Duncan Harrison: Selector

Women:

The Women’s Japan National Squad will now have Vinay Iyer as Head Coach as he replaces Ardene Ruhode. In addition, Benjamin Ito-Davis will take up the role as Assistant Coach. 

The Women’s Japan National Squad is an annual training squad consisting of promising players. The aim of the squad is to build an inspirational Women’s National Team. Women’s Japan National Teams that play International Cricket are selected from this squad.

In 2024 the JCA created the Women’s Development Squad as an annual training squad consisting of talented players. The aim of the squad is to develop players that can represent Japan in the future. From 2025 this will be renamed the Japan National Academy (Female). 

This squad will not have an age limit, and will also be where the Women’s U19 Japan National Team will be selected from. It is hoped the Women’s U19 team will play its first matches in 2026.

The staffing is as follows: 

• Vinay Iyer: Head Coach and Head Selector
• Benjamin Ito-Davis: Assistant Coach and Selector
• Duncan Harrison: Selector

Japan National Academy (Men’s U19 & U16)

As confirmed last month, Reo Sakurano-Thomas is now Head of the Japan National Academy (Male). He will be supported by Benjamin Ito-Davis.

Each category is a group of promising players within each age limit that take part in an annual training program. The squads will however, train together most of the time. 

The aim of the Men’s U19 category is to build an inspirational Men’s U19 Japan National Team while the Men’s U16 category aims to develop the next generation of players. Men’s U19 & U16 Japan National Teams that play International Cricket are selected from both categories of the National Academy.

The staffing is as follows: 

• Reo Sakurano-Thomas: Head Coach and Head Selector
• Benjamin Ito-Davis: Assistant Coach and Selector
• Duncan Harrison: Selector

All squads are selected in line with the JCA Eligibility Criteria. 

Support Staff

In addition, we are extremely lucky to have a dedicated group of support staff who work across all National Squads. These people are playing a key role as we continue to raise standards of care and development both on and off the field. These people are listed below:

• Eiko Yoshizawa: Doctor
• Yuichi Yageta: Anti Doping Educator
• Manami Hoshi: Trainer
• Hiromu Inoue: Trainer
• Kendel Kadowaki-Fleming: Analyst

Finally, additional staff will be joining from April 2025 onwards as we move into the new financial year. Those announcements will be made in due course.

Thank you to all the staff for the efforts they make to assist out national teams.