On Saturday, October 4, 2025, FC Tokyo Soccer and Futsal School students and their parents went together on a day trip support tour to the away match against Shimizu S-Pulse!
The program for the day was...
① A "pre-match game" with Shimizu S-Pulse school students
② "High-fives" with players heading to warm up
③ "Watching the warm-up" from the pitch side
④ Entering the field together with the players in a "hand-with-hand"
⑤ Watching the "top team’s match" with parents and children♪
We gathered in front of Shinjuku Kogakuin University Shinjuku Campus at 6 a.m., and everyone arrived on time, allowing us to depart safely.
Since it was early in the morning, the school students and their parents were sound asleep on the bus.
We stopped by Ashigara SA along the way, where it was raining and the temperature was chilly.
On the remaining journey to Shimizu, we boosted our spirits by watching a 2012 FC Tokyo DVD and arrived at IAI Stadium Nihondaira, the home ground of Shimizu S-Pulse♪
After arriving at the stadium, we listened to the Shimizu S-Pulse coach, who explained important points and precautions for the pre-match game.
Although it was unfortunately rainy during the preliminary match, 22 school students ran around the pitch at IAI Stadium Nihondaira with all their might!
I believe they were able to fully demonstrate what they have been working on regularly at each school.
Being able to play on the pitch where the players would later compete was an incredibly valuable experience for the school students, I think.
Go HATANO also joined the pre-match game as a goalkeeper on the spur of the moment, making it an even more valuable experience for the school students♪
After the pre-match game ended, we held a high-five session and watched the warm-up.
As the time for the high-five approached, the school students appeared very nervous.
During the high-five when the players entered, I believe the kids were able to feel the atmosphere before the match while giving high-fives.
During the warm-up observation, GK coach Shota YAMASHITA and Go HATANO surprised the school kids by kicking the ball to them, creating some unexpected moments♪
The school students looked happy!
Actually observing from beside the bench and being able to see the atmosphere of the players before the match and their playing was a very valuable experience, I believe.
After that, Coach Kotaro conducted practice in preparation for the Hand with Hand and the photo with the players.
Since it was going to be shown on TV, the school students practiced desperately.
The school students actually couldn’t hide their nervousness before and after holding hands with the players.
The hand-with-hand and group photo with the players finished safely, and the school students looked relieved.
After that, we returned to our seats and watched the match of the 2025 Meiji Yasuda J1 League Sec. 33 vs Shimizu S-Pulse.
Although the result unfortunately ended in a draw, when player Keito Sato scored a goal, both the school students and their parents jumped up and shared their joy!
We were able to have such a valuable experience, expressed our gratitude to Shimizu S-Pulse, and boarded the bus after the match ended.
The journey home took four hours, but we safely arrived in front of Shinjuku Kogakuin University Shinjuku Campus.
We are truly grateful for the applause from the school students and their parents at the time of dismissal!
We, the coaches of the development department, will continue working together to create more opportunities like this.
Everyone, we look forward to your continued support!!
