国内トップを目指す（7人制）女子ラグビーチームからの依頼で、今年初め通訳を引き受ける事となった。野球・サッカーと比べて公的な補助が無いため、サクラオーバルズは地元の企業の全面バックアップにより成り立つチームだ。冬も使用可能な広い室内練習場、女子ラグビーワールドカップNL代表の元コーチ招請、国内及びNLのトップ選手の加入、そして（実は世界的にも有名な）国立弘前大学のスポーツ医学リハビリスタッフの全面サポート体制など2026年に青森県で開催される国民スポーツ大会に向けて、現在、様々な環境を整えて努力をしている。
On Febriary, I had an offer from the women's rugby team, which aims to become the top women's rugby sevens team in Hirosaki , for the team interpreter. Compared to baseball and soccer, women's rugby is not publicly subsidized, so the Sakura Ovals are a team that relies on the full support of local corporation. In preparation for the National Sports Festival to be held in Aomori Prefecture in 2026, they are currently working on various measures, including a large indoor practice field that is available in winter, an invitation of a former coach of the NL Women's Rugby World Cup team, the addition of domestic and international top players, and a full support system of sports medicine rehabilitation staff from (actually world renowned) Hirosaki National University. They will receive full support before the 2026 event.
https://hirosaki-sakura-ovals.com/
通訳内容はNL人のコーチの通訳。これまで、英語の通訳・翻訳・ガイディング・講師と異なるジャンルを幅広くカバーしてきたため問題ないだろうと思っていたが、ルールや専門用語の問題が（ラグビード素人の自分に）大きく立ちはだかった。ただ、これも少しづつクリアーできると分かってきた一方、仕事と調整を付けるのが困難になってきた。通訳自体は嫌ではないが、中途半端な状況ではチームに迷惑を掛けると判断し、レギュラーでの通訳を辞退させてもらった。結果、もう一方の通訳の負担が増える事となったが、それも事前解決したうえのお願いだ。
My task is to interpret for the NL coaches. I had covered a wide range of different English genres so far, including conference interpretation, translation, guiding, and lecturer, so I thought it would be no problem, but the issue of rules and terminology loomed large (for me, a rugby amateur). The issue of rugby rules and terminology was an obstacle (for me, not knowing rugby at all). While I started getting the knack of it, but it became difficult to coordinate with ongoing tours. The interpreter is fine, but I had to turn down interpreting assignments on a regular basis because a half-hearted commitment would not be good for the team. This results in an increased workload for the other interpreter, which he agreed this in advance.
https://hirosaki-sakura-ovals.com/kizi-comon/y-yjOFxb
国内の主要大会でも上位に入り込み、選手は日本一のチームにも勝てる確かな手ごたえを感じているという。このチームが成長する姿を間近で一緒に観る事はできないが、彼らのため、今後も協力を惜しまないつもりだ。女子ラグビーといえば「サクラオーバルズ」と言われる程 強くなってほしい。
The team has advanced to the final round in major domestic tournaments, and the players feel a solid sense of confidence that they can beat even the best teams in Japan. Although I will not be able to be with this team up-close, I'll continue to support them. I want people to remind "Sakura Ovals" when it comes to the best women's rugby, and I believe that day will surely come in the near future.