This page was machine translated and may contain errors.

HOMETOWN

Hometown

Hometown Activity Details

Main Hometown Activities

Contributing to regional revitalization through various activities

Hometown activities began in 1993 when the J League was launched.
We have deepened our bonds with local people through interactions mainly in Suita City, Ibaraki City, Takatsuki City, Toyonaka City, Settsu City, Ikeda City, and Minoh City.
Here we will introduce some of the major ongoing activities.

Hometown interaction activities

SDGsmile
  • Health and Well-Being for All
  • Quality Education for All
  • Creating a sustainable city
  • Partnerships to achieve our goals

Interacting with local children

"Hometown Interaction Activities" have been held since 2003 with the aim of promoting the healthy development of children living in their hometowns. With the cooperation of each city's Board of Education, players visit elementary schools during school hours. During class, under the guidance of an academy coach, players demonstrate juggling and shooting skills, and interact with the children by playing mini-games. The children's eyes light up with excitement at every move made by the players. When the teams play against their teachers' teams, the children cheer on the teachers' teams, creating a lot of excitement.

Number of elementary schools visited 957 schools
Number of children interacted 297,974 people

  • Mini games with kids

    Mini games with kids
    You can kick the ball and interact with the players.

  • The customary high-five

    The customary high-five
    The children will get to see their favorite athletes right in front of them. At the end, they will have the chance to high-five all the children.

  • At the end, we all took a commemorative photo.

    At the end, we all took a commemorative photo.
    We had lunch together and took a commemorative photo at the end. There was also a lovely blackboard welcome board.

Hometown interaction activities results

Event period Event area Number of schools visited
Number of elementary school students who participated
1st
March 2003
Suita City 31 schools
11,476 people
A total of 30 events have been held between 2003 and 2019!
32nd
October '19
Minoh City/Ikeda City
(+ Top Athlete Elementary School Interaction Program (Toyonocho and Nosecho) 2 schools)
17 schools
5,129 people
2020-22 Suspended due to COVID-19
33rd
June 23
Takatsuki City/Toyonaka City 30 schools
4,370 people
34th
November 23
Settsu City
(+ Top Athlete Elementary School Interaction Program (Kadoma City, Shijonawate City, Daito City, Neyagawa City) 8 schools)
15 schools
2,753 people
35th
June 24
Suita City/Ibaraki City 30 schools
6,202 people
36th
September 24
Ikeda City/Minoh City
(+ Top Athlete Elementary School Interaction Program (Toyonocho) 1 school)
20 schools
4,001 people

Top Athletes and Elementary Schools Interaction Program

In addition to the hometown interaction activities, GAMBA OSAKA also cooperates with the Top Athlete Elementary School Interaction Program organized by Osaka Prefecture, interacting with many children. We support this activity, which aims to share the wonder and excitement of sports with elementary school students, to give them dreams and hope, and to help them acquire attitudes and habits that foster interest in exercise and sports, and we will continue to work with the local government in the future.

Hokusetsu District Gamba Cup Boys and Girls Soccer Tournament Supported by Dimps

SDGsmile
  • Health and Well-Being for All
  • Partnerships to achieve our goals

Giving children dreams! Youth soccer tournament held

In order to inspire children and promote their healthy development and improve the level of soccer in the region, we are holding the "Hokusetsu District Gamba Cup Boys' and Girls' Soccer Tournament Supported by Dimps" with the cooperation of the soccer federations and associations of the seven cities and two towns in the Hokusetsu region and Dimps Co., Ltd.
This tournament started in 1997 and has become a dream stage for children every year. Ten teams representing each city and town enter the tournament, and in the preliminary league they are divided into two groups and play a round-robin tournament. The top teams from each group will compete in the final as an opening match for GAMBA OSAKA's home game. We will continue to hold this tournament in the future with the cooperation of many people.

  • Ten teams representing Hokusetsu come together

    Ten teams representing Hokusetsu come together

  • In the final, Tsukahara Sun Club from Takatsuki City won the championship with an impressive five goals.

    In the final, Tsukahara Sun Club from Takatsuki City won the championship with an impressive five goals.

  • The runner-up was Amigo Todoroki FC from Toyonaka City. They fought well until the end and ran all the way to the end.

    The runner-up was Amigo Todoroki FC from Toyonaka City. They fought well until the end and ran all the way to the end.

GAMBA OSAKA Osaka Scanbio Cup Supported by S-Pool Plus

SDGsmile
  • Health and Well-Being for All
  • Eliminate inequalities among people and countries
  • Partnerships to achieve our goals

Supporting social reintegration through soccer

Since 2008, GAMBA OSAKA has been hosting the "GAMBA OSAKA Scanbio Cup," a futsal tournament for people with mental disabilities.
"Scambio" is an Italian word meaning "exchange" and was named by the director of a medical institution in the team's hometown. Since 2023, S-Pool Plus, Ltd. has been supporting the team as the title sponsor. Every year, a Kansai exchange tournament is held in the summer and a national tournament is held in the fall, with the aim of supporting participants' return to society through "exchange" through sports.
The 2024 national tournament will be held for the first time at Suita Municipal Sports Ground. From this tournament, the tournament will be divided into two leagues: a "competitive league" and an "enjoyment league" that focuses on scambio (interaction) with participating teams. 14 teams, totaling over 120 participants from all over the country, played matches according to their team's goals. For participants aiming to return to society, it is said that not only winning a match but also moving the body, cooperating with teammates, and caring for opponents are very effective. We will continue to work to create an opportunity to come into contact with social life through sports for people with mental disabilities and to support their return to society.

  • Participants chased the ball while enjoying "interaction."

    Participants chased the ball while enjoying "interaction."

  • They interact with each other through the ball and smiles abound.

    They interact with each other through the ball and smiles abound.

  • At the Kansai Exchange Tournament, teams will be rearranged and participants will be able to "interact" with many different people.

    At the Kansai Exchange Tournament, teams will be rearranged and participants will be able to "interact" with many different people.

SHAREN! (social collaboration activities) are activities in which the J.League and J.Clubs work together with local people, companies and organizations (both for-profit and non-profit), local governments, schools, etc. to tackle social issues and common themes such as education, J.LEAGUE, urban development, health, and intergenerational exchange.
We envision activities to create common value with three or more collaborators, and believe that these social contribution activities will help ensure the sustainability of local communities, build relationships and learn, and lead to the rediscovery of value for each stakeholder.

Soccer classes at children's homes in the Hokusetsu area

SDGsmile
  • Health and Well-Being for All

Wishing for a bright future for our children

With the hope of bringing smiles to many people's faces and helping them realize something new or find inspiration for the future through soccer, we are holding soccer classes in cooperation with GAMBASSIST. This was the third time we held the class, and with the cooperation of the Osaka Prefectural Social Welfare Council Child Care Facility Division and the Hokusetsu Child Care Facility Federation, children from child care facilities (9 facilities, 71 children) not only from the Hokusetsu region but also from within Osaka Prefecture participated.
Due to bad weather on the day, the event was held in an indoor training field, but the children had fun kicking the ball around together with former GAMBA OSAKA player Michihiro YASUDA.

  • At the opening ceremony, Mr. Iyama, Chairman of the Child Care Facility Division of the Osaka Prefectural Social Welfare Council, gave a speech.

    At the opening ceremony, Mr. Iyama, Chairman of the Child Care Facility Division of the Osaka Prefectural Social Welfare Council, gave a speech.

  • Trying his best to steal the ball from Yasuda Masahiro

    Trying his best to steal the ball from Michihiro YASUDA

  • In the players' locker room, the children actually sat down and got to experience what it was like to be a player.

    In the players' locker room, the children actually sat down and got to experience what it was like to be a player.

G Smile Class

SDGsmile
  • Quality Education for All
  • Creating a sustainable city

Helping children realize their dreams and hopes

"G Smile Class" is held as a career education activity with the cooperation of Toyonaka City Board of Education and GAMBA OSAKA Osaka Alumni Association, visiting elementary and junior high schools in Toyonaka City. GAMBA OSAKA alumni tell the children about their experiences, and teach them the importance of having dreams and hopes and working tenaciously at things.
And as the name suggests, we operate under the policy of leaving students with a smile at the end, even more so than when they started. We will continue to hold G Smile classes, mainly in our hometowns, and support the dreams and hopes of children.

  • Mr. Hayato Okanabe's class

    Hayato OKANAKA's class

  • At the end, everyone took a photo

    At the end, everyone took a photo

  • Masafumi Maeda's class

    Masafumi MAEDA's class

"Hometown Support Day" aims to promote sports

SDGsmile
  • Creating a sustainable city
  • Partnerships to achieve our goals

Invite your kids to the game and enjoy discounted rates for adults

GAMBA OSAKA holds a Hometown Support Day for people living in the hometown area.
On Hometown Support Day, elementary, middle and high school students are invited free of charge by GAMBASSIST sponsors, and adults can watch the game at a discounted price.
By having people come to the stadium with their family and friends, we hope to create an opportunity for them to increase communication with their families, as well as to allow them to experience the thrill of watching a professional game live.
You can receive special information such as Hometown Support Day by registering for a J.League ID.

  • At halftime, he greeted the fans and supporters.

    At halftime, he greeted the fans and supporters.

  • A commemorative photo taken on the pitch side.

    A commemorative photo taken on the pitch side.

  • The Ikeda City PR booth was a huge success

    The Ikeda City PR booth was a huge success

The players visited a juvenile detention center and interacted with the residents.

SDGsmile
  • Health and Well-Being for All
  • Quality Education for All
  • Partnerships to achieve our goals

Supporting boys who aim to reintegrate into society

Since 2009, with the cooperation of the Ibaraki Rose Lions Club, we have been visiting Naniwa Juvenile Detention Center in Ibaraki City. Through soccer and Q&A sessions, we hope to convey to the boys the struggles and setbacks they faced on their way to becoming a professional soccer player, as well as the mindset required for a professional soccer player, in the hope of helping them to reintegrate into society. This time, player ZHANG Ao Lin and coach Shota UEMURA participated.
During the question and answer session, in response to the question, "What do you keep in mind when bringing a team together?", he shared his experience, saying, "I try to think from the other person's perspective about each play or mistake that happens at that moment, and then offer my opinions and advice."
In the comments written by the students after the visit, many of them mentioned "thinking about things from the perspective of others," demonstrating that the purpose of this activity was achieved in addition to what was communicated through play.
In July, our long-standing activities were recognized and we received a letter of appreciation from the Minister of Justice as part of the "Brighter Society Campaign."

  • Visited Naniwa Juvenile Detention Center in Ibaraki City.

    Visited Naniwa Juvenile Detention Center in Ibaraki City.

  • Interacted with the players

    Interacted with the players

  • We received a letter of appreciation from the Minister of Justice.

    We received a letter of appreciation from the Minister of Justice.

Cooperating in preventive care and health promotion projects

SDGsmile
  • Health and Well-Being for All
  • Partnerships to achieve our goals

Everyone is healthy and well

Stick soccer is a game of soccer in which players sit down, hold a stick, and aim for the goal, with the aim of preventing the need for nursing care. Because it can be played while sitting down, it is a lifelong universal sport that can be participated in by people who require nursing care due to old age, or people with disabilities.
GAMBA OSAKA sponsors this "Stick Soccer Tournament," and GAMBA BOY and GAMBA CHEER attended the 2024 Stick Soccer Osaka Tournament, livening up the event with the ceremonial opening pitch and dance performances.

  • Hit the ball with the right timing

    Hit the ball with the right timing

  • This year marks the 12th tournament.

    This year marks the 12th tournament.

  • The team of Gamba Boy and Gambacia won.

    The team of GAMBA BOY and GAMBA CHEER won.

Gamba Family participates in various events

SDGsmile
  • Health and Well-Being for All
  • Quality Education for All
  • Partnerships to achieve our goals

Revitalizing the area together with local residents

GAMBA OSAKA participated in various activities in 2024. At the summer festivals in each of the seven hometown cities , GAMBA BOY, MOFLEM, GAMBA CHEER, and GAMBA CHEER KIDS performed on stage and in parades, livening up the venues.
The public viewing, organized by the GAMBA OSAKA Suita Supporters Association for the second consecutive year, was held at Suita City General Sports Ground. With commentary from former player Michihiro YASUDA, about 450 supporters enjoyed the game in their own way, including lying down on the grass.
MOFLEM also participated in a home game for the Osaka volleyball team, with whom the company has a co-creation partnership, and appeared at the opening pitch, livening up the venue.
GAMBA OSAKA will continue to participate in various activities with the aim of further livening up the local community.

  • Gamba Family livens up hometown festival

    Gamba Family livens up hometown festival

  • Watching the game under the warm sunshine. A stunning victory over Albirex Niigata

    Watching the game under the warm sunshine. A stunning victory over Albirex Niigata

  • Osaka Bulleteon's mascot "Papines"

    Osaka Bulleteon's mascot "Papines"

Promoting various awareness-raising activities in cooperation with local governments

SDGsmile
  • Health and Well-Being for All
  • Take concrete action on climate change
  • Partnerships to achieve our goals

Promoting and sharing information for a better society

We work in cooperation with Osaka Prefecture and local governments in our hometowns to carry out various awareness-raising activities at the stadium and in our hometowns.
The GAMBA OSAKA Cheer Dance Team participated in the "Toyonaka City Autumn Traffic Safety Fair." They danced the "Five Rules for Safe Bicycle Use Dance" with the participants, and worked to promote and improve bicycle etiquette.
In cooperation with the Osaka Legal Affairs Bureau, we are promoting human rights awareness, creating video messages from players and posters, which are being placed in local facilities and distributed to children.

  • Learn the rules by dancing with the children

    Learn the rules by dancing with the children

  • Orange Ribbon Child Abuse Prevention Promotion Campaign Video

    Orange Ribbon Child Abuse Prevention Promotion Campaign Video

  • Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Prevention Awareness Poster

    Child Abuse and Domestic Violence Prevention Awareness Poster

Working together to contribute to the community

SDGsmile
  • Health and Well-Being for All
  • Responsible Consumption and Production
  • Take concrete action on climate change
  • Partnerships to achieve our goals

Collaborative projects with local educational and medical institutions

GAMBA OSAKA also works with various schools and medical institutions in the area. Starting in 2022, in collaboration with our friendship partner Osaka University , we began providing learning support to GAMBA OSAKA Academy students as part of the Terakoya activities of the Osaka University Soccer Club. Through communication with university students of a similar age, we provide consultations not only about studies but also about the future. The Academy aims to "develop talented players off the pitch" and is working to create an environment where students can balance soccer and learning.
At Osaka Gakuin University, he gave a lecture on GAMBA OSAKA's business growth and efforts at regional co-creation, conveying to students the significance of GAMBA OSAKA's presence in its hometown.

  • Osaka University students support the academy students' studies

    Osaka University students support the academy students' studies

  • Local students learn about their "hometown"

    Local students learn about their "hometown"

Expanding the circle of support with the local community and supporters

SDGsmile
  • Health and Well-Being for All
  • Partnerships to achieve our goals

Players join in support activities

During the match against Avispa Fukuoka, a fundraiser was held for the Tohoku region's heavy rain disaster. Handa, a native of Yamagata Prefecture, also participated in the fundraiser, raising 258,590 yen, which was delivered to the affected areas.
As part of the activities of the Japan Professional Football Players Association, Fukuoka, Suzuki, Nakatani, Ichimori and Ishikawa visited the Ronald McDonald House in Suita City and Osaka Kento and toured the facility.
With the cooperation of the Osaka Red Cross Blood Center, blood donations were held at the stadiums during the games against Kashima Antlers and Tokyo Verdy.
These activities are made possible thanks to the support of our many fans and supporters.

  • The players also participated in the fundraising and called on everyone to help out.

    The players also participated in the fundraising and called on everyone to help out.

  • The players visited the Ronald McDonald House and interacted with the staff.

    The players visited the Ronald McDonald House and interacted with the staff.

  • The blood donation activity at the venue was assisted by former Gamba players Atsushi Kimura and Masaya Kim.

    The blood donation activity at the venue was assisted by former Gamba players Atsushi KIMURA and KIM Jungya.

Collaborative projects with hometown governments

Together with the local community, now and in the future

In 2024, GAMBA OSAKA will conclude a comprehensive partnership agreement with Ikeda City, bringing the number of agreements with all seven of its hometown cities to 1. In cooperation with each local government, the team will work to revitalize the local area by carrying out activities rooted in the hometown region.
MOFLEM statues have been installed at city halls in each city, Gamba GAMBA OSAKA banners have been adorning the streets of Suita and Ibaraki, and a life-size panel of Daichi HAYASHI, a player from the city, has been installed at Minoh City Hall. Local MOFLEM have also been created, helping to enliven the region.

  • Statues of Moffrem installed at each city hall

    Statues of MOFLEM installed at each city hall

  • Comprehensive partnership agreement signed with Ikeda City

    Comprehensive partnership agreement signed with Ikeda City

  • A panel featuring Hayashi welcomes you

    A panel featuring Hayashi welcomes you

"Uniting our strengths" to support reconstruction

J.League TEAM AS ONE Activities

Following the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, the J.League has been collecting donations and carrying out reconstruction support activities under the slogan "United in Strength - TEAM AS ONE."
Following the Noto Peninsula Earthquake in January 2024, we held a "J.League TEAM AS ONE Fundraiser" at six home games in March, April, and October. With the cooperation of players, GAMBA CHEER, GAMBA CHEER KIDS, MOFLEM, and GAMBA BOY, and with the cooperation of fans and supporters who entrusted their donations to us in hopes of the recovery of the disaster-stricken areas, we were able to raise a total of 1,361,960 yen.
Using these donations, elementary and junior high school students from Shika Town and Wajima City in Ishikawa Prefecture were invited to a home game with the goal of "spiritual recovery." A friendly match with a soccer team from Suita City was held in conjunction with the game, and the players appeared on a stadium tour, which the children enjoyed very much.
The event is scheduled to continue in the 2025 season.

  • Your power will become a great power

    Your power will become a great power

  • Children excited to see the athletes

    Children excited to see the athletes

  • Football connects people

    Football connects people