SCHOOL REPORTS School Reports

On Saturday, May 23, at Utoden no Sato Sports Park, we held an exchange match for 4th, 5th, and 6th grade elementary school students with the Kashima Antlers school players. After the exchange match, we moved to Mercari Stadium and also held a barefoot preliminary match called the "Curtain Laser Match."

The wind was strong and the weather felt chilly, but since the ground had been open before the exchange match, as soon as they arrived at the venue, they immediately started kicking the ball and communicating with each other!

After the opening ceremony, we finally began warming up for the exchange match. The coach shared today's goals, and both mentally and physically, everyone prepared thoroughly for the game.

From the warm-up, the children were full of energy, actively engaging while encouraging each other.

In the exchange match, although there was tension playing against opponents they rarely face, each player gave their all, resulting in an intense and exciting game.

At first, due to nervousness, they couldn’t play as they wished and were pushed back by the opponents at times, but gradually they found their rhythm and kept scoring!

This exchange match was conducted under the same rules as the Century Vision League, and in the event of a draw, a penalty shootout was also held. The children faced the tense moments that decided the outcome with excitement, making it a valuable experience that they rarely get to have.

After the exchange match ended, we moved to Mercari Stadium and held a preliminary barefoot match called the "Curtain Raiser Match." The children, standing on the pitch where professional players actually play, showed excitement as they ran freely across the vast grass field, chasing the ball with all their might until the very end.

Playing in a stadium, an experience rarely available in everyday life, became a special and memorable moment for the children.