On Sunday, 8 June, FC Machida Zelvia Hosted JFA Nadeshiko Friends Square as an event for people who came to watch a match between FC Machida Zelvia and SC Sagamihara in Meiji Yasuda Life Insurance J3 League. After the match finished, the event was held on the same pitch. On the day, the weather was unsettled until the beginning of the match, so we were uncertain that we could hold the event. However, the weather improved, and we were able to hold it as we planned. KAKINE Takuya and SHIRATANI Kento from FC Machida Zalvia participated in the event, and the participants were able to interact with the players in person and enjoy football. They had a smile on their face all the time.

The number of certified groups for “JFA Nadeshiko Friends Square,” which started last November as a project to promote women’s football, reached 100 in 8 months. At present, JFA Nadeshiko Friends Square activities have spread to 30 prefectures, and the number of places where women can regularly enjoy football has increased.

Comment from Organiser

MURAKAMI Yuko
At our “JFA Nadeshiko Friends Square,” all kids including those who belong to football teams and those who have no experience playing football have activities together. Although 45 minutes are very short, we contrive ways to offer them chances to have fun playing football on the same pitch with natural grass where players have matches. They are very cheerful and love football from their heart, and it doesn’t matter whether they are good at it or not. They are likely to do something other than football for fun in everyday life and at school, but I think I learned from them that we could enjoy football even if we didn’t belong to football teams. This is “Football Family.” Through this activity, I was able to strongly feel that football was a sport which could be loved by everybody.

Comments From Participants

OGURA Yui
I work as a volunteer when Zelvia has matches. At JFA Nadeeshiko Friends Square, it was easier for me to play because there were no boys. It was fun, and I was happy about playing football with only girls.

GOTO Yurika
It was really good that I was able to play football on a pitch with natural grass. I participated in the event before, and at that time, I had to play with boys because there were no teams with only girls. Therefore, there was almost no chance for me to kick the ball and I felt it was boring to play football. However, now I can play it with only girls of my age, and it is really fun!

Mother of Ms. Goto
I have always supported Zelvia. After seeing players trying to do their best at the match, I saw my kid playing football on the same pitch. She really looked having fun, and I’m really jealous!

"JFA Nadeshiko Friends Square" is the "place" and "time" for women to start, enjoy, and continue football in their daily lives. We welcome both children and adults. We are also looking for managers.