Barefooted but respected- from snow country and mountain country

On Sunday 27 July, the East Japan Beach Soccer League (EJ League) had its matches held simultaneously in Gonohe, Aomori and Komagane-kogen, Nagano.
The league was launched in 2012, and based on the action plan, works toward "contribution to the hosting community", "conservation of natural environment" and "support for earthquake disaster reconstruction" through beach soccer. The league is also a member of "Respect FC Japan."
The home team "Aomori Stallions" in Aomori and the group of volunteers in Nagano, where there is no participating home team, were in charge of organising the competitions.
No matter where they are in a snow country or a mountain country, players show their energy with bear feet and develop their friendship.

Comments

SAWADA Tatsuya, Chairman of East Japan Beach Soccer League Executive Committee
A spirit of respect is indispensable for beach soccer which is played alongside nature. Sand conditions vary depending on climate or temperature. Beach cleaning activities are imperative to allow players to play safe. Including setting safety nets and watering sands to protect players from burn injury, the amount of things that need to be done before the match surpass the ones necessary for other kids of football.
Since there hasn't been many people playing this sport yet, it's important to remember respect towards not only players but beach football itself. It's not too much to say that everyone’s respect spreads and develops beach soccer originating from the East Japan League.

OTA Ryusuke, Club Director of Aomori Stallions (Organising Team of Aomori Round)
I'm the director of the organising team, Aomori Stallions, for East Japan Beach Soccer League Aomori Round, which was held for the first time in two years. Beach soccer is still developing in Aomori, Tohoku. Meanwhile, this round illustrated many people's passion including participating teams. We will further make efforts to develop the beach soccer in Aomori, Tohoku. Something lying at the root of that is a spirit of respect. We will work for the goal that the movement creates ripple effects by respecting and helping each other.

SHIBATA Yuukoh, Chairman of NPO Stallion Sports Entertainment (Organiser of Aomori Round)
We were in charge of organising the Aomori Round. The Gonohe Sand Court, maintained and managed by us, is an artificial court constructed in 2012. Holding the East Japan Beach Soccer League here means a lot. Some people are looking forward to beach soccer coming to the town where there is no beach. Starting from that, it could be an ideal when it becomes something that gets rooted in the community, aiming for the local activation. Not only participants but also organising staff have a spirit of appreciation and respect for all the people concerned from their standpoints of assigned roles. With such an attitude in mind, I will keep supporting beach soccer.

KURATA Chiho, Volunteer Staff of Nagano Round
As a member of the beach soccer family and member of the local community, I prepared the event for people coming here to stay comfortable. I came to realise the spirit that was unconsciously shared was actually so-called respect. And I was surprised that the respect coming from players was even stronger. Even though they came from far, they helped us set up the event site and pitches. They even helped us do ballpersons, ground-keeping and clear-up after matches finished. I take my hat off to them. There were various kinds of respect - respect from staff, respect from players, respect for each family, respect from referees, respect for the pitch and respect for equipment.
You leave it more beautiful than before you have arrived. Because it is what you are to use. You let others feel comfortable.
I was strongly taught that there are senses of respecting and cherishing people on the pitch, people supporting it, and everything around us so that we all can have fun.