On Tuesday afternoon, 30 July, Japanese exchange students in Kiama came together with local students for a day of soccer.

For one week, the Lopes family hosted two Japanese exchange students, 11-year-old Ruka and Kinari, through UAH Homestay. 

Kinari came from Okinawa and Ruka from the northern prefecture of Tokyo. “It was short and sweet. We do it again. My boys loved it,” the family says.

With the Lopes boys, Liam and Blake, playing soccer as part of the Kiama Junior Football Club, they thought it would be a great idea to get the Japanese exchange students together with the local children for a day of fun.

Japanese exchange students Ruka and Kinari with the Lopes boys Liam and Blake. Credit: The Lopes family.

The students were staying with local families and attended Kiama Public School for English lessons. 

Local dad “Marky Mark” (Mark Mitchell) ran the training session, featuring music and different activities. There were about 20 players from the Kiama Junior Football Club along with the nine Japanese boys.

The Kiama Junior Football Club donated nine jerseys and KJFC President Andrew Wales presented the students with the soccer jerseys after the session.  

“Kinari told his parents that he wanted to move to Kiama when he’s older,” says the Lopes family.