Ben McGee has spent 13 years shaping young men through rugby, from the Brumbies academies to the Australian Schoolboys, and now as Head Coach of the Daramalan College 1st XV in Canberra. He's a Level 3 accredited coach, an ACT Rugby Coach of the Year, and someone who has seen enough tours to know the difference between a good trip and a genuinely formative one. The Japan 2025 tour with us was the latter.
In this video, Ben takes us inside 12 days that changed how his players carry themselves, how they train, and why the wheels are already in motion for 2027.
Key Takeaways
Culture as the gateway
Ben's goal was never just rugby. He wanted Japan to immerse his players in a culture built around honour and respect, and to use the game as the entry point into that experience.
The Higashi school exchange was the standout
Connecting with Japanese students their own age, touring the school facilities, and playing against a high standard of local rugby left an impression the boys are still talking about.
Japan changed how Daramalan trains
The precision and unique style of Japanese rugby was so impressive that Ben brought elements of it home. Skills learned on tour are now embedded in their training program.
Japanese culture pulled the phones down
Ben noticed his players naturally looked outward in Japan rather than inward at screens. The cultural environment created space for meaningful conversations and genuine presence.
The cost question gets one answer: priceless
Ben's message to any coach or parent sitting on the fence is straightforward. The experience is rare, the fundraising is worth the effort, and Daramalan are already locked in for Japan 2027.
If you're ready to take your team abroad to the world stage, check out our Youth Sport Tours or get in touch with our team to start planning your school's next great adventure.
Ben McGee is one of Australia’s most respected junior rugby development coaches, with over a decade of experience spanning elite schoolboy programs, ACT representative pathways, and Brumbies academy coaching.
Currently Head Coach of the Daramalan College 1st XV in Canberra, Ben has built a reputation for developing not just skilled players, but young men of character. His coaching career includes stints with the ACT Schoolboys, Brumbies Under-19s and Under-20s, Gungahlin Eagles Colts, and the Australian Schools Barbarians. In 2022 he served as assistant coach to the Australian Schoolboys on their tour of Japan, a country he has since made central to Daramalan’s rugby program.
Contact Us
Make a Tour Enquiry
A tour caught your wanderlust?
We’ll send you all the details.
Ask a Question
We're here to answer all your questions.
Speak to Us
Talk to our friendly team.
