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

Event Outline

Event Schedule

*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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