“JFA UNIQLO Soccer Kids” is a fun-to-play football event for all kids of 6 years and under, except elementary school students. About 2,400 kids participated in the 6 May event at Fukuoka Yahuoku Dome, Fukuoka prefecture. Former Japanese international, Tsuzuki Ryota, was invited as a special guest and played with the kids. Free style footballer My-B showed off his skills at the opening ceremony which he did to a popular animation song and kids enjoyed his skills while singing along to the song.
We created a better environment for welcoming more kids to this event by changing the name of this event, logo, and the registration process. At the event venue, we placed an “interview board” which allows participants to take photos. To enjoy the event as much as possible, we showed comments and feedback of the participants on a big TV screen at the venue.

Overview of the event

Comment from host organization

NOMIYAMA Atsushi, Fukuoka Football Association, President of Avispa Fukuoka
Thank you for holding JFA Uniqlo Soccer Kids every year in Fukuoka with the support of Uniqlo. Fukuoka was the first venue in the series for Uniqlo Soccer Kids of this year. This time, nearly 2,500 kids participated and we are the biggest of all the other venues. Today Mr. Tsuzuki, the former Japanese international, joined in our event. It was nice to hold this event in the active atmosphere of football especially in the year of the FIFA World Cup and I believe we could deliver our passionate cheer to the Japan squad members in Brazil through this event.

Comment from special guest

TSUZUKI Ryota, Former Japanese international
I would like to encourage all the participants of the event to like football. If you like football then you can start having a passion to improve your football skill. If you feel in that way then you will want to practice football more. Please do like football more and more. I want you to aim to be a future World Cup squad player for Japan. You can tell people about your lovely experience at JFA Uniqlo Soccer Kids in Yahuoku Dome.

Comment from a participant team leader

HORITA Kyoshirou, Ashizukashimoda Nursery School
We fully enjoyed today. Thank you very much for great memory!!

Comment from one of the parents of participant team

MURAYAMA Kazuyuki, Orange Dragon 1
It was nice to see kids enjoy running around. I want them to try to get more scores goals for the future.