NEWS
JFA Uniqlo Soccer Kids in Okinawa - event report
24 June 2015
The JFA Uniqlo Soccer Kids is a series of fun football events where any children of ages 6 and under can enjoy football together. This year, the event is held at 14 venues such as major domes and football stadiums all across Japan. 451 kids, including individual players and kids under 7 years old, joined in the event held in Okinawa City Park on 20 June.
Alongside presence of DAINI Kuniya, President of Japan Football Association (JFA), HARA Hiromi, JFA General Secretary, and MATSUZAKI Yasuhiro, JFA Executive Managing Director, there were a quartet of mascots making appearances; “Challenge Ichi Nensei (1st graders)” mascot “Korasho” from Benesse Corporation. The popular characters posed for photos with participating kids and cheered the players from on the sideline.
Comments from participants
OSHIRO Susumu, Father of Yohan (6yrs) and Asen (4yrs)
It was very good to join the event. We don’t have a good environment including local parks to play football much, even though we have some opportunities to touch the ball with small number of people.
My kids seemed to enjoy some games joining in with a team. Now they go to a nursery but they haven’t joined in any of local football teams. I want to let them join once they reach school age. High-school students helped them; my 2nd son is still too small to join in the game and had to stay alone but one of them spoke to him and played with him using the ball during the game. He might have enjoyed this even more than his elder brother who joined in the game. I appreciate the staff to support us with such a nice positive attitude.
MATSUMORA Ai, Mother of Saki (7yrs), Kana (5yrs) and Mei (2yrs)
We had a good time. I was bit worried about if our youngest one who is only 2 years old can play with the ball at first, but he actually enjoyed the time, chasing his elder brother and sister. Looking at my kids’ having fun made me enjoy the time.
I got to know about this even through the local team. My kids scored several times in the games. As a team, players considered well switching between defense and offense and improved themselves gradually during the 3 games. It was good for me to see the change in the kids. I will definitely sign up if there will be another chance.
Soccer families
Number of participants | Morning | Afternoon | Total | |
---|---|---|---|---|
U-7 | Teams | 7 | 3 | 10 |
Boys | 107 | 49 | 156 | |
Girls | 36 | 14 | 50 | |
Total | 143 | 63 | 206 | |
U-6 | Teams | 8 | 7 | 15 |
Boys | 105 | 80 | 185 | |
Girls | 31 | 29 | 60 | |
Total | 136 | 109 | 245 | |
Total | Teams | 15 | 10 | 25 |
Boys | 212 | 129 | 341 | |
Girls | 67 | 43 | 110 | |
Total | 279 | 172 | 451 | |
Staff | 150 | |||
Audience | 1,200 | |||
Soccer families | 1,801 |
Event Outline
Event Name | JFA Uniqlo Soccer Kids in Okinawa |
---|---|
Event Date | Saturday 20 June, 2015 |
Schedule | Morning: Door open 9:00/Players marching in for opening ceremony 9:45/ Opening ceremony 10:00/Matches 10:30-11:55/Closing ceremony 12:05 |
Afternoon: Door open 13:00/Players marching in for opening ceremony 13:45/ Opening ceremony 14:00/Matches 14:30-15:55/Closing ceremony 16:05 |
|
Venue | Okinawa City Park (2-1-1, Moromizato, Okinawa-shi) |
Game format | 8-a-side mini soccer festival |
Size of pitch: 30m×18m (Total of 8 pitches) | |
Number of games per team: about 3 games Playing time: 10 minutes | |
Player requirments | U-6: Team of eight or more of 6 years old and younger, both boys and girls, no condition about experience |
U-7: Team of eight or more of 7 years old and younger, both boys and girls, no condition about experience |
|
Organiser | Japan Football Association / Okinawa Football Association |
Managing Organisation | Okinawa Football Association |
Special Sponsor | Uniqlo Company Limited |
Sponsor | Benesse Corporation Company Limited |
Supporting Organisation | Okinawa Prefecture/Okinawa City |
Event presenter | NAKAHARA Wakano |
Operating Staff | Okinawa Football Association Kids Committee (11), Yomei Highs School Women’s Soccer Club (14), Kutanakagusuku High School Women’s Soccer Club (18), Naha Shogyo High School Women’s Soccer Club (24), Naha High School Women’s Soccer Club (27), Naha Nishi High School Women’s Soccer Club (30) |
Mascot Supports | Challenge Ichi Nensei “Korasho” |
PR | Websites of JFA and Okinawa Football Association from 24 April |
PR leaflets at all kindergarten and nurseries in Okinawa | |
PR leaflets at all Uniqlo stores in Okinwa | |
Media PR through Ryukyu Broadcasting Corporation between 15-19 June | |
Radio Okinawa, FM Okinawa between 17-19 June | |
Application period | 1 May to 12pm of 19 June |
How to Apply | From Uniqlo Soccer Kids application form on the JFA Official Website |
Event Schedule
Sun. 31 May | Ibaraki | Kashima Soccer Stadium | 9th, 9 consecutive years |
---|---|---|---|
Sat. 20 June | Okinawa | Okinawa City Park | 4th, after 2 years |
Sat. 27 June | Hyogo | Kobe Sports Park | 2nd, after 11 years since the event at Kobe Wing Stadium (currently Noevir Stadium) in 2004 |
Mon. 20 July | Aichi | Nagoya Dome | 4th, 4 consecutive years |
Tue. 22 September | Fukuoka | Fukuoka Yahuoku! Dome | 13th, 13 consecutive years |
Mon. 12 October | Toyama | Toyama Athletic Recreation Park | 5th, 4 consecutive years |
Sat. 17 October | Fukui | Sabae East Park Athletic Field | 3rd, after 2 years |
Sun. 25 October | Tokyo | Tokyo Dome | 4th, 4 consecutive years |
Sat. 28 November | Kumamoto | Umakana・Yokana Stadium | 9th, 9 consecutive years |
Sat. 5 December | Hokkaido | Sapporo Dome | 10th, 9 consecutive years |
Sun. 20 December | Yamaguchi | Yamaguchi Kirara Memorial Park | 2nd, 2 consecutive years |
*The schedule for Saitama, Kanagawa and Osaka to be decided by March 2016.
*Please refer to JFA official Web site for the latest information of the venue, overview and application for the events to be decided.
JFA.jp (Japanese version only)
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