We will introduce the principles and activities of each prefectural football association under the 12 different themes ? "seniors," "the first class," "the second class," "the third class," "the fourth class," "kids," "women," "futsal," "beach football," "referees committee," "infrastructural committee" and "technical committee." We would like you to take a look at it so you will know what sort of activities are being held around the nation.
Today, we introduce the activities of the Shimane Football Association on its senior categories.

Approaches on Senior Football - Shimane Football Association

ISHIHARA Terumi, a Senior Committee of Shimane Football Association

"With an aim to become a legend in youth's hearts"

In 1995, Matsue Branch in Shimane Prefecture formed a league with people over 40 years old. Senior leagues in the prefecture will have 20th anniversary this year. At present, nine teams in four branches (Matsue, Izumo, Masuda, and Hamada) participate in regional league matches.

There are two purposes for the senior football. The first one is to enjoy football and promote good health by interacting with people in other communities. Another one is to focus on competition with an aim to play in national tournaments. We have aimed for expansion of senior leagues by conducting prefectural senior championships and senior tournaments in which all teams in Sanin Region participate. In addition, we have been on expeditions to Kansai, Chugoku, and Shikoku regions and deepened exchanges with senior generation in the various regions. We have also conducted tournaments among teams from Kochi, Okayama, and Shimane prefectures and Takarazuka City Exchange Tournaments over ten years. Moreover, we have been trying to have intensive training for each generation (O-40, O-50, and O-60) since national senior tournaments have been held during recent years.

The senior football in this prefecture started in 1992 after National Sports and Recreation Senior Football Tournament was held in Shimane Prefecture. National Health and Welfare Festival "Nenrin-Pic" has also given us great opportunities. We were fascinated by the dreamy fact that we could stand on the same pitch as previous Japan National Team members, who seemed to be in a different world because of their play. This motivated us, and old as we were, we drove ourselves as hard as ever to kick a ball and gradually found new goals. (The picture shows a Shimane prefectural team which participated in "Nenrin-Pic Yosakoi Kochi in 2013." KAMAMOTO Kunishige (on the left), a previous Japan National Team member, came to join "Matsue DanDan Cup" as a special guest.) Now we have about 60 days of tournaments and about 50 days of practice throughout a year, and because of this, we have been much busier. A big factor that allows us to be active is the fact that we have satisfying facilities with both natural and artificial grass thanks to cooperation from associations and municipalities. When we were younger, we used to play at clay grounds. That's why, we constantly got hurt. However, at the ground with grass, we don't get hurt as much. It is an obvious fact that the satisfying environment and facilities encouraged senior football. I always try not to forget gratitude when playing football.

The senior football started with an O-40 league. However, 50th, 60th, and 70th generation has become active as years go by. Interleague matches with girls teams and children in elementary and middle school are unique to senior leagues, but we don't consider these as only matches. Instead, we regard our activities as a clue to contribute to local communities and to the development of youth. We are motivated to play football as a lifelong sport to keep us happy and healthy and devote ourselves to be a model for youth and become a legend in their hearts.