South African born Matsushima Kotora is the first Japanese rugby player to be enrolled at the Sharks Academy and now playing for Harlequins in the local Under 20 ‘A’ league for the Frank Norris Trophy.

Kotora whose mother is a social worker in Tokoyo was educated at Toin Gakven High school in the Japanese capital and represented the national under 18 side against France last year.

Needless to say the youngster is very concerned about the events that have taken place in his homeland and will be returning to visit his family at the Easter recess. With this in mind it has been decided to raise funds for the Earthquake Disaster Fund and in some small way help alleviate the hardships the Japanese people are experiencing at the moment.

With a number of rounds in the Under 20 league still to be played before Easter, long time supporters of club rugby McCarthy Toyota have in conjunction with Pete Smith of the KZNRU, Quins coach Andy Keast and their Director of Rugby Francois Schoeman put together a joint initiative to raise money for the fund.

They have introduced a novel fund raising concept ‘Tries for Charity’ for the remaining Under 20’A’ league games before Easter and will be contributing R300 for every try scored. Jimmy Smith CEO of McCarthy Toyota KZN was delighted to be part of the initiative and challenges other business’s in KZN to participate in this very worthy fund raising initiative for the people of Japan.

IN THE PIC LEFT TO RIGHT ANDY KEAST HARLEQUINS COACH, MATSUSHIMA KOTARO, CEO MCCARTHY TOYOTA JIMMY SMITH AND FRANCOIS SCHOEMAN DIRECTOR OF RUGBY AT QUINS

- Jos Robson