I want children to feel the fun of sports and basketball
In holding “B.LEAGUE ALL-STAR GAME 2022 IN OKINAWA”, B.LEAGUE Hope will be entitled “B.Hope Action DRIVE TO DREAM” to help solve social issues in the community through basketball, and children. Aimed to be an opportunity to engage in learning and sports with dreams.
In Okinawa Prefecture, disparities in children’s education are one of the regional issues. In addition, due to the influence of the new coronavirus, lack of exercise for children has become a social issue nationwide, and in recent years, the increase in injuries to children due to increased learning activities outside school and indoor play time has also become a problem. ..
Under these circumstances, the Nippon Foundation will support the establishment and operation of the facility, and improve and develop lifestyle habits for children facing difficult situations such as isolation and loneliness due to single-parent households and double-income parents. There are seven “Children’s Third Places” in Okinawa Prefecture (one of which is in preparation for opening) that provides learning support according to the stage. Therefore, with the cooperation of Japan Post Co., Ltd., we will present mini-goals and mini-balls to children who use the “Children’s Third Whereabouts” so that they can experience the fun of sports. We supported the healthy growth of children by doing their best and teamwork.
Initially, on the day before the All-Star, B.BLACK Ryusei Shinoyama (Kawasaki Brave Thunders) and B.WHITE Jack Cooley (Ryukyu Golden Kings) will visit some facilities to hold presentation ceremonies and recreation. We had planned, but due to the cancellation of All-Star, we changed the contents to the following and implemented it.
・ Presenting goals, balls, flags, and T-shirts to seven “children’s third places” in Okinawa Prefecture
・ Providing message images of athletes and chairmen
・ Mini basketball goal presentation ceremony
The “Delivery, Basketball!” Initiative with Japan Post Co., Ltd. will be expanded nationwide, starting with the presentation to Okinawa Prefecture. By delivering goals and balls to many children nationwide, we will create an opportunity to become interested in sports and basketball.
We hope that through this initiative, as many children as possible will be interested in basketball, and that it will be an opportunity for children to continue to work with dreams, not just transiently.
* About “the third place for children”
“I always eat sweets because the rice isn’t delicious”, “I play games until late at night and sleep when I’m tired”, “I don’t know what to ask the teacher”, “Mom gets angry when I’m at home”, “I have never thought about dreams or anything beyond that.” Japanese children are now facing various difficulties such as disordered eating habits and lifestyle rhythms, delays in learning and neglect. In an environment where children can spend their time with peace of mind outside of home or school during the after-school hours when children tend to be isolated, self-affirmation, ability to interact with people and society, lifestyle, learning habits, etc. The “third place for children” is a place to foster the ability to survive.
There are many facilities equipped with a kitchen, bathroom, etc. in addition to the living room and study space in the “Children’s Third Place”, and reliable adults (staff) are resident. After school, children can acquire lifestyle and learning habits through learning support, reading, playing with a large number of people, playing games, eating, bathing, etc., and develop self-affirmation and curiosity. As of February 2022, 77 bases have been opened nationwide.
* Click here for an overview of B.LEAGUE ALL-STAR GAME 2022 IN OKINAWA B.Hope Action DRIVE TO DREAM as a whole.
[Corresponding SDGs]
[Posukuma visits Shimada Chairman! To report the presentation of goal balls]
Japan Post character Posukuma visits B.LEAGUE office! He reported to Shimada Chairman that he would deliver goals and balls to children all over the country.
▼ Posukuma ✕ B.LEAGUE Shimada Chairman Special Message
[Outline of presentation ceremony in Okinawa Prefecture]
The following presentation ceremony was held at one of the seven “Children’s Third Places” in Okinawa Prefecture.
● Schedule
March 11, 2022 (Gold) 16:45～17:30
●Participants
・ Mr. Masatsugu Hisada, President of Japan Post Okinawa Branch
・ Character of Japan Post Posukuma
・ Staff and children of “Children’s Third Whereabouts”
・ Facility representative director Takaichi Kaneshiro
・ Ryukyu Golden Kings Mascot Gordy
・ (Video appearance) B.LEAGUE Chairman Shinji Shimada, Ryukyu Golden Kings Shota Onodera, Hayato Maki
Give children a special experience
Children are delighted with Posukuma and Gordy. The first part presentation ceremony started with excitement.
Mr. Masatsugu Hisada, Japan Post Okinawa Branch, said, “Japan Post is supporting you. Children’s lack of exercise is a problem due to the new coronavirus infection. Please play a lot with the goals and balls you will receive!” I received the words.
After that, Shimada Chairman said, “Please aim for the future (basketball) Japan national team!”, And Ryukyu Golden Kings Shota Onodera and Hayato Maki said, “This will give you a sense of the fun of basketball. I’m glad! “Was sent to the video message.
Presenting goals and balls from Mr. Hisada of Japan Post Okinawa Branch to Mr. Hirabayashi, Facility Manager
* The temporary mask is removed only when shooting.
Video message from Ryukyu Golden Kings Shota Onodera and Hayato Maki to children
Commemorative photo with everyone * The mask is temporarily removed only when shooting.
The second part was a recreation with the presented goals and balls.
First of all, before the shooting experience, we all enjoyed stretching while watching the video of the stretch lectures of Ryukyu Golden Kings Shota Onodera and Hayato Maki to prevent injuries.
Children stretching while watching videos seriously
After stretching, it’s finally time to shoot!
The children split into two hands and conducted a shooting experience with the two presented goals of different heights.
When I got a short goal, I tried a tall goal this time, and when I got a shot, I tried to hit it from a little far away, and I enjoyed it while devising myself.
Shoot experience divided into two hands
Children who take shots seriously. Support Posukuma too!
High five with Gordy with a shot!
After the shooting experience is over, a closing ceremony will be held.
From the children, “I didn’t enter at first, but I was happy to be able to enter gradually”, “I was happy to be able to enter from a distance”, “I enjoyed making a basket in the room”, “After this I still want to shoot! “
In addition, after presenting from other facilities such as “Children’s Third Whereabouts” in Okinawa Prefecture, we received the following comments and photos.
“Children play basketball on a daily basis, and we can see that they feel the joy of basketball to the fullest, including children who have not been very interested in basketball until now. I often come to schools and main bases wearing the T-shirts I received, and I feel that I like it very much.
Even if we couldn’t hold the All-Star due to the influence of the new Corona and couldn’t watch the game, we would like to express our sincere gratitude for your support in various ways. I think this experience has become an irreplaceable asset for children. “
Deliver experiences to children all over the country
After the presentation ceremony in Okinawa, Manager Hirabayashi said, “I think that the loss of experience and opportunity of experience will deprive children of their potential.” “In such a situation, after this presentation ceremony, children will set their own rules. I’m glad I was able to hold it while watching how I was playing while deciding. ” Nowadays, various activities are restricted due to the new coronavirus infection. There are less and less opportunities for children to experience and experience.
B.Hope will continue to expand and promote this project nationwide with the cooperation of Japan Post.
We hope that children from all over the country will experience basketball through this project, feel the joy of sports and basketball, and lead to healthy growth.
