Help publish Ruby Tui’s “Straight Up” in Japan- a true story about the life of a rugby player.
“This is Ruby Tui. An open, raw and honest account of her journey from a troubled and unstable childhood, searching for a better option in life, to Olympic champion and the world’s best rugby sevens player.
After a childhood filled with neglect Ruby yearned for another path. Determined not to let her upbringing limit her, she survived abuse, drugs and tragedy to become one of the most successful women’s rugby players in the world.
The explosion of women’s rugby on the global stage has matched the rise of Ruby’s stellar career, as she has grown with the game from amateur to professional.
In Straight Up Ruby looks herself in the eye, understanding that she can turn pain into purpose.
It’s time to be straight up.”
Please help me raise funds to translate into Japanese this best-selling New Zealand book about the inspiring life of rugby superstar Ruby Tui. I believe her story will resonate with her Japanese fans, especially young female rugby players.
My name is Kyoko (Coco) Atsuji, the initiator of this crowdfunding campaign. I’m a blogger, writer, and Japanese–English translator, and I worked as a team interpreter/liaison officer for Team Samoa at the Rugby World Cup 2019 in Japan. In 2022 I was lucky enough to get another opportunity to work at the Rugby World Cup 2021 held in New Zealand (women’s World Cup, played in 2022 due to COVID restrictions in 2021). I was already a fan of women’s rugby after having had worked as a liaison officer for the England women’s sevens team in the past, and last year, seeing this tournament becoming more and more popular as it progressed was a truly moving experience. I could feel in my skin that something had changed in women’s rugby. Japanese women’s rugby is certainly growing and getting more attention, but it still is nowhere near as developed as New Zealand’s or England’s.
After reading this book, I strongly felt that I wanted all the young Japanese female rugby players to read it, knowing that it would encourage them to continue doing what they love. Also, for me, reading about the development of New Zealand’s women’s rugby gave me the hope necessary to believe that Japan can do the same. That was why I decided to challenge myself to translate 320 pages of English to Japanese and deliver Ruby Tui’s words to Japanese people. Please, everyone, help me make my wish come true!
Straight Up by Ruby Tui
about Ruby Tui
Ruby Tui is a professional rugby player. She won an Olympic silver medal in 2016 and a Rugby World Cup Sevens title in 2018. She was named Black Ferns Sevens Player of the Year in 2017 and World Rugby Sevens player of the Year in 2019. She went on to win gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021). In 2022 she won the inaugural Super Rugby Aupiki competition with the Chiefs Manawa and then made her debut for the Black Ferns, helping them win the 2022 Pacific Four Series.
Off the field, Ruby is a regular commentator for Sky TV and is passionate about promoting healthy environments for Kiwi kids and speaking up about mental health within the sporting community. Creating change through speaking out on public issues, and demonstrating motivation and gratitude to her peers, is how she would like to leave her mark. Ruby is the current ambassador for the HeadFirst initiative.