Attached, Please find the PDF and articles for the JFA Academy SAKAI.
海外の読者の方々のために日本サッカー協会のエリートプログラムのJFAアカデミー堺の説明を英文で掲載します。
~ Becoming NADESHIKO of the World~
Foreword
For the name of our program, we use the word “elite”, which is seldom used in today’s Japan. We are aware of a strong reluctance for using this word; nevertheless we are daringly using this expression.
Our reluctance toward this word today seems to derive from somewhere away from the original meaning of this word. Virtually, elite does not signify a privileged class but a leader obligated to be on the frontline in serving society.
The education in Japan assumed the direction of popularization and equalization after the World War II, which may have been necessary at the certain period of time. Now, we are faced with the lack of social leaders and the necessity for nurturing them, and some countries strive for educating the elite with nation-wide efforts.
We hear expressions such as “bottom-up” and “pull-up”. Bottom-up means literally raising the bottom level. Pull-up is to return the result accomplished by the elite education for raising the standard of society as a whole.
On January 1, 2005, the Japan Football Association launched the “JFA2005 Declaration”, setting the clear goals to register 5 million members by 2015 and to be on the top 10 teams in the world, then by 2050 Japan to hold the World Cup and win the championship, in order to realize the principles of building rich sport culture through football, and to contribute to healthy development of mind and body of people and advancement of society. This declaration was not made simply as the goal of Japan Football Association but also as its two-way promise with the people of Japan.
Understanding the importance of raising the base standard specifically, we have made a great effort for improvement and are beginning to see some result. Now, we are extremely aware of the need to combine both raising of the base standard and the elite education for the further progress.
Recently, in sports and other fields, we see examples of young people being trained at a professional level from very early stages.
Depending on the kinds of activities, some may consider them as adequate while others won’t. We need to analyze their criticism.
On the basis of understanding special nature of the game of soccer football, we study particular ways how children growth and develop, and we have experimented with the methodologies that are suitable for each age group, with the concept of “long-term fostering”. It led us to believe that there are many things we need to teach young people at an early stage regarding football or otherwise. Children are not small size grown-ups. There are adequate exercises suitable for each age. By understanding that, it is necessary to provide the best environment and training for each age group.
So-called “segment training” is another subject to consider. Trying to build a highly competent team at each stage of elementary, junior and senior high schools may harm athlete’s long-term growth of capability. Many athletes end their competing years without fully developing their potential. It would have been better if all the children are trained under the same vision and concepts, so that the training with a long-term perspective can be adopted when the young athlete moves to another team, and that is exactly what we are aiming for. However, it is not an easy task. There, universal training has a great advantage.
Through years of proactive work of cultivating youth, we have come to know that the younger they may be, the more talented people with many possibilities are found. It is important to provide good environment and opportunity to develop their possibilities.
The other reason for the resistance against elite is derived from the sense of discrimination held by those who were not chosen.
It takes time for some children to grow by receiving various influences, and each child has his or her different speed of growth. It is not the end for them even when children are not selected in their young time. It is not our intention to give final conclusion that child will not succeed in the future. We believe that among them too we may find a prospective player who will lead Japan eventually. On the other hand, it does not mean that the chosen children possess the promised future. Being selected for our program does not promise them to become professional. These things must to be understood by the athletes and the grown-up people around them. Thus, we are trying to incorporate programs that benefit the young people who can be internationally active outside of football as well.
Following the idea of pulling-up, we are confident that by raising the level of one particular group, levels of other groups and the entire football community can be raised. By doing so, the world of football will broaden its scope and depth. We expect that such development will not simply remain as it says but contribute to the great strength of the Japan National Team which strives to make the Top 10 list in the World.
We are working hard to provide the best environment and the best training for the youth in their important stages of growing-up. We truly hope to share this belief with many of you.
Inauguration Ceremony of the JFA Academy Sakai
“Pledges by Academy Students”
April 3, 2012
“Dream”
My dream is to be a member of NADESHIKO JAPAN and to make NADESHIKO JAPAN rank FIFA No. 1 that the whole world is aiming for. My idea of NADESHIKO JAPAN member never gives up, send accurate passes, and play with positive mind under any circumstance. I wish to be a reliable player in NADESHIKO JAPAN.
“Creation”
By using my idea, I want to be creative bringing out something out of nothing in football plays and my everyday life. I want to be a tireless hard worker, and I will not fear to proactively bring forth new things.
“Freedom”
I think freedom is to be able to do what I want to do; however, freedom always accompanies responsibility. Life in the academy is a group living in the dormitory. It is important to be responsible for our own conduct when living with team members; thus, I will carry out my responsibilities then I enjoy freedom.
“Responsibility”
I have been supported by many people, and now I have many cheering supporters. So, I will try my best to live up to their expectations. I need to take care of everything on my own now, not like before; I will seek to become a responsible person with a great strength.
“Pride”
I took the screening test for the Academy with many of my school team mates, but I was the only accepted. My friends back home still support me. To meet their expectation, I will challenge everything with my best effort. That is my present idea of “pride.”
“NADESHIKO”
Being NADESHIKO is my goal. When many were hurt by the Great East Japan Earthquake, NADESHIKO JAPAN were the people who showed us that we should never give up. I want to be like them. So, I will become a NADESHIKO.
“Inner Strength”
Just like Sawa, I will be an athlete with strong mind who never gives up. I will never give up and play hard until I hear the final whistle.
“Cheerfulness”
Whatever happens, I want to stay cheerful and positive. There are two reasons. Firstly, no crying or fighting will solve any problems, and secondly my smile will make family and friends happy. I will always carry my smile through next three years.
“Gratefulness”
I am grateful to my father and mother. They are working hard to support me to come to this Academy. I think it will be my way of saying “Thank You” to join NADESHIKO in the future and play in the international games and show my parents how much I have grown. So, I will cherish every one of my days and work hard.
“Friends”
Without team mates, I won’t be able to play football now. In my old team, I was very happy when I put passes through or steal the ball in coordination with my team members. Friends gave me warm-hearted encouragement when I was injured, so I want to do the same to others. I will cherish and respect my team mate as I play.
“World”
I know it is not easy to become a world-class player. So, I admire NADESHIKO JAPAN for where they are today. The world acknowledged women’s football of Japan through its victory in the World Cup championship. I want to join such NADESHIKO JAPAN and play a leading role internationally.
“Challenge”
I am willing to challenge many new things and meet many new discoveries. I will not be ashamed if I fail. It is more shameful not to challenge when I want to try something. If I fail, I will get up and try again. Life is a series of challenges, so I want to positively challenge what I want to do.
NADESHIKO Vision
Becoming NADESHIKO of the World
For the development of the Japan Women’s Football,
To carry out “Principles, Vision, Promise of JFA”,
Under the vision of “Becoming NADESHIKO of the World”,
We declare three goals to be shared and carried out by all the people associated with women’s football.
1. Make football a women’s major sport in Japan
◆ Create an environment for everyone to enjoy football where the players, instructors, and referees can continue their involvement throughout their lives.
◆ Enhance visibility of women’s football as the sport to be enjoyed by girls and women alike and to be loved and supported by many.
◆ Hold FIFA Women’s Football World Cup in Japan in the near future.
In 2015, make the number of women football players reach 300,000
2. Advance NADESHIKO JAPAN to a top class team in the world.
◆Compete in the U-20/U-17 World Cup and play as many games as possible and aim for medals.
◆Compete in the World Cup/Olympic and win medals.
Win the championship in FIFA Women’s Football World Cup in 2015.
In 2015, win the FIFA Women’s World Cup
3. Foster “individuals” who meet the world standard.
◆ Strengthen scouting for talented players and the training system to contribute to future NADESHIKO JAPAN.
◆Raise the level of instructors for girls.
And be the real “NADESHIKO”
The real “NADESHIKO” = the role-model and the goal of Japan women’s football players.
The real “NADESHIKO” will have
Dedication, Inner Strength, Cheerfulness, Politeness
Let us be “NADESHIKO” athletes! Let us foster “NADESHIKO” athletes!