We will introduce policies and activities of each prefectural football association based on 12 themes: “Seniors,” “Class 1,” “Class 2,” “Class 3,” “Class 4,” Kids,” “Women,” “Futsal,” “Beach Football,” “Referees Committee,” “Facility Committee (Environmental Maintenance),” and “Technical Committee.” We hope you read this article through and become familiar with activities being held across the country.

Starting from today, we will introduce activities of “Class 1” over the course of four consecutive articles.

Activities of “Class 1” (Niigata Prefectural Football Association)

HAYASHI Ryota, Chairman of Class 1 Committee of Niigata Prefectural Football Association 

“Goals! For the Future of Each Individual Involved in Football”

Class 1 Committee of Niigata Prefectural Football Association consists of Business Group Federation and University/ Technical College Association. In 2007, this association launched a “GOALS Project” for the future of each individual involved in football and developed a master plan that set out visions based on the philosophy. In order to realize the master plan, it is determined that each committee, federation, and district association makes an “Action Plan” every three years.

“Action Plan 2015” refers to the “decrease in the number of registered teams and players,” which is one of the challenges Class 1 Committee has currently faced. There are opinions that in addition to the strict competition rules, there are not many advantages that are worth the registration fees, causing a number of teams not to register for JFA. In order to get those unregistered teams involved in the association, we have taken measures by creating advantages for the registration and carrying out public relations activities in cooperation with the association, Business Group Federation, and University/ Technical College Association.

In 2010, we started holding “Niigata Prefectural Football Tournament for Impaired Players,” and thanks to the support and cooperation from various parties, the number of participating teams has increased every year. We will continue being active to develop the tournament.

We also hold “Niigata Prefectural Football Super League” in which registered teams from Business Group Federation, University/ Technical College Association, and selected teams for the National Athletic Meet in Niigata participate. The tournament was originally set up as a place to strengthen the selected teams for the National Athletic Meet, but now it is also a place to improve the performance of each team. Because of this, the teams have played matches at a higher level.
In Niigata, each class has improved the level of performance in competition, and the teams have shown remarkable success. They have goals such as “having more participating teams from Hokushinetsu Business Group League,” “getting placed in the top 8 in national championship,” and “entering into JFL (Japan Football League).” In order to help realize these goals, Class 1 Committee would like to support their activities.

Class 1 Committee will set out a clear vision based on the philosophy of “GOALS Project,” take measures to solve problems, and construct a system which leads to new possibilities. We will continue to create rich sports culture through football and contribute to the healthy development of mind and body of Niigata Prefectural citizens and to the development of society.