1903: 5th Season

日本語 Español
“Keio University Rugby Football Club Officially Joins the Athletic Association”
 Despite many difficulties, members including Ito, Inokuma, Yamazaki, and Matsuoka made Keio University Rugby Football Club an official rugby football club as a member of the Athletic Association. Finally the Rugby Football Club was admitted by the Athletic Association as the seventh sport group, following the Kendo Club, Judo Club, Baseball Club, Boat Club, Japanese Archery Club, and Swimming Club. (Source: “The 100-Year History of Keio University”)
Fujio Yamazaki was appointed as the first captain of the club.
 
“Records of 2nd and 3rd YC&AC Matches Confirmed”
One record says that Keio, led by Captain Fujio Yamazaki, took on the challenge to play with YC&AC on 5 December 1903 for the first time since the Keio rugby club was officially approved. A rugby journalist, Yoichi Akiyama, found this precious record. He is known as the greatest journalist when it comes to collecting rugby records from all over the world.
Yasuzo Toyama, the main author of “The 100-Year History of Keio University”, related the match records and the members' delight in restoring these records from The Japan Weekly Mail. This historical book merely describes the third match as follows: “YC&AC won a crushing victory over Keio again at match held in Yokohama. Keio is certainly familiar with the rugby rules, but they failed to beef up the team.” No records about the score and the members are mentioned. Keio purchased land for a new sports field in Mitatsunamachi on December 28.
The record of the first Keio match says: “This match was held at the new Tsunamachi field on January 29 at 3 PM. Chancellor Kamata and Taro Fukuzawa passionately watched. The match was refereed by Ginnosuke Tanaka, and the white team won the red team 6-0.”