Wolfson student represents Oxford University Men’s Football on Japan tour

Brook Tozer, Wolfson student and Vice-Captain of the Men's Blues football team, recently represented the Oxford University Association Football Club (OUAFC) on a 10-day tour to Japan. The team of Oxford's top footballers played four games, visiting Tokyo, Yokohama, Kyoto, and Osaka, as well as making time to enjoy Japanese food and cultural heritage. 

Brook is a third year DPhil student studying geophysics. His research is focused on understanding the tectonic processes that lead to the formation of cratonic sedimentary basins, with a particular focus on Parnaíba basin, located in NE Brazil. When he is not on fieldwork, he plays casually with the Wolfson-St. Cross Men's Football team alongside a busy training schedule with the OUAFC. Last year Brook was awarded a Blues Award from Wolfson College in recognition of his football achievements, which has helped him to support his passion, and to fund equipment and travel.

The Japan tour marks 45 years since the 1969 OUAFC trip to Japan, where a combined Oxford and Cambridge team won several high profile games and were invited to meet the Japanese Emperor. This visit kicked off with a match against the highly ranked Keio University Men's team on Tuesday 9th December in Tokyo and followed with matches against university teams in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Support for the tour was received from the Vice Chancellor's Fund and through donations from OUAFC alumni. 

Brook said the highlights of the trip included cultural immersion in Tokyo, Kyoto's temples and a special visit to Jiyu Gauken College, one of the smallest in Tokyo (and whose principal went to Oxford). 

In addition to enjoying the chance to play excellent football against strong Japanese university teams, he and his teammates were able to watch the Emperor's Cup Final at the Japanese National Stadium in Yokohama, the equivalent to the FA Cup Final.

The team made the most of opportunities to experience Japanese culture, including staying in a Zen Temple, where an early morning meditation session helped to calm their minds ahead of their match with Osaka University. In Kyoto they ran a Soccer School event for elementary school children, were billeted by students in both Tokyo and Kyoto, and were invited to a Cambridge and Oxford Society gathering in Tokyo. 

The Blues team is now preparing for the Varsity match on Sunday 8th March at Cambridge United's Abbey Stadium. The game will be a 3pm kick off and supporters are always appreciated. Details of how to book are available here. The team are also currently in search of a general club sponsor, please see here for more information.

All up it was a fantastic tour, and showcased some of Oxford (and Wolfson's) finest footballers on the global stage.