The “JFA Football Day” has been established in 2008 to promote football across the nation. The Japan Football Association (JFA) welcomes everyone to join the football family and enjoy the sport, and each year along with the Prefectural Football Associations plans and organises a wide variety of football events nationwide to give as many people from the local communities regardless of their experience in football a chance to participate in the festival around the 10th of September, the date of establishment of the JFA. In 2016, a total of 16.901 people attended the events that were held at 50 different locations across the country. Similarly this year, the football day proves to be a great success with a large number of people taking part in the nationwide festival.

Shizuoka Prefecture

The Shizuoka Football Association held its football day on Saturday 2 September at Ecopa Stadium, where 110 children and adults participated in the festival along with former Japanese international and current U-17 Japan National Team coach SAITO Toshihide and former J.League player ISHIDA Hiroyuki helping the event as instructors. Fun games were planned in addition to competitions for kick-ups and dribbling exercises. Small-sided games using more than one ball were played as well. Under the warm sun of a beautiful autumn day, both children and adults enjoyed the events and displayed their love for the sport on the pitch.

Participant's Comment

Ms. KAWAGUCHI Yasuko
I couldn’t still believe that I was on the same pitch where the official national team and J.League matches are being held. I was over the moon when I actually kicked the ball. The turf was actually quite soft, and it was very nice to lie down on. I put up a good sweat by running together with my kid, but got a little tired at the end as well. I am looking forward to coming back to Ecopa Stadium.

Miyazaki Prefecture

The Miyazaki Football Association held its Football Day festival on Sunday 20 August at Nichinan General Athletic Park, where 247 participants enjoyed the Kyushu Football League (Kyu League) matched that were organised as a part of the event and cheered their local teams that were aiming to advance to the JFL and then to the third division of the J.League. After the game, the players shared their ideas on the beautiful game, and expressed their joy of playing the sport as well.

Participant's Comment

Mr. Kuroki, Staff of Nichinan City Football Association
I work in accounting, and it’s been a while since I participated in a football event. I enjoyed it and took my mind off my work as well. It was an extremely hot summer day, and, unfortunately, there were fewer children who participated in the festival compared to other years. I felt that we might have to reschedule this for later in the season or organise it as an evening event.

Gunma Prefecture

In its efforts to promote football in the prefecture, the Gunma Football Association has used their homepage and local newspapers to advertise the football events that were held at Shikishima Park Soccer/Rugby Field and Shikishima Park Auxiliary Athletic Field on Saturday 26 August. Having targeted at a wide range of people regardless of their gender or age with an objective to share the joy and experience the beautiful game of football, 538 people from local cities participated in the festival. 

Participant's Comment

NAGUMO Akira (First Grade), GOLAZO Takasaki FC
I couldn’t score a goal, but still made many plays with the ball. Japanese sorbet after the game was delicious. I was surprised to see a six grader score a goal against the elderly.

Hokkaido Prefecture

As a part of the football day event to promote football in the region, the Hokkaido Football Association hosted a penalty-shootout tournament where both adults and children could participate at Mikasa City Athletic Field on Sunday 3 September. Thanks to a beautiful autumn weather, 124 people from the local community entered the competition and enjoyed the event that was filled with wonderful plays.

Participants' Comments

Ms. AKASAKA Naomi, Coach (Ventus Horomui)
Ten parent-and-child pairs participated in the event, and I was astonished to see how well the moms played.

TAKASE Sota (7 years old), Naganuma FC
I played together with my mom, and I was very happy that my mom and I both scored a penalty.

There are still plenty of JFA Football Day events that are scheduled across the nation. For further information, please view the homepage of the Prefectural Football Associations nearby.

47 Prefectural Football Associations

JFA Festivals