Families need to host student football team members from Japan

Ed Burke, retired football coach from Torrey Pines High School, is hosting a high school football team from Kyoto, Japan, and is looking for a few host family volunteers.

The senior students from Ritsumeikan Uji High School arrive Friday evening, Aug. 19, and depart early Monday, Sept. 5 (Labor Day). This is the fifth year that Torrey Pines has played host to the Panthers’ team, and the response has been excellent, but this is the largest group to ever attend. We are still seeking a home for one girl trainer and two boy players, and time is getting short.

During their stay, the host family is asked to provide food, lodging, and transportation to and from Torrey Pines as the team studies the English language and American football. During the week they attend classes from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., much like your own sons and daughters who attend TPHS.

Every year the students who make the trip are outstanding representatives of their school, family, and country, and they always seem to establish a relationship that will continue long after they return home. It is a wonderful opportunity to become close to a young student from an entirely different culture.

Knowledge of the Japanese language is not required. Most of the Panthers have limited ability to converse in English, but they do read and write English, and study English as a second language in school. The teacher and coaches speak only English, and it is amazing how well everyone communicates with one another. It is truly a wonderful experience that you will treasure for the rest of your life.

If interested, please contact Coach Burke by phone: (760) 331-7412, or email: edandloretta@sbcglobal.net.”