At the 2025 J.League Sharen! Awards, sponsored by the J.League, Avispa Fukuoka 's social collaboration activity "FUKUOKA TAKE ACTION!", in collaboration with our university, won the "Fan and Supporter Selection Award," selected by votes from fans and supporters nationwide.
The activity was a social collaboration activity based on the three project themes of "co-education," "society," and "urban development," and was the first such initiative by Avispa Fukuoka, which aims to create opportunities to "take a step forward." The students took an active role in planning and running the event while collaborating with various stakeholders in the community, deepening their practical learning.
The project's leader, Akira Yoshida (Hideaki Yachiyo High School), a third-year student in Professor Naohiko Ueno's seminar Faculty of Human Sciences Department of Sport Science and Health Human Sciences, served as the project's public relations officer. He filmed videos, recorded and wrote articles about the activities, and widely disseminated the appeal of the initiative on social media. The activity report compiled by Yoshida is published on the Avispa Fukuoka official website.
Yoshida says, "In addition to TAKE ACTION College, this year I am also participating in AVISPA CHANGEMAKER HUB, a social leadership development program for students run by Avispa Fukuoka. With the theme of 'sports x social issues,' I am challenging myself to learn in a way that will allow me to create something from nothing. In the future, I would like to continue studying so that I can turn my Sharen activities into a job."
Kozo Yuki, President and CEO of Avispa Fukuoka Co., Ltd., said, "The situation surrounding the J.League is changing with the times, but even in this situation, I feel that flexible thinking that is not afraid of young perspectives and is willing to put them into action is what is necessary for future social collaboration activities." He also spoke about the significance of the activity from an educational perspective, saying, "I want students to develop the ability to identify issues. That ability will be the driving force that moves society."
President Misayoshi Kitajima commented, "We are grateful for this opportunity as it allows our students to put their practical learning to good use. It is a great opportunity for them to go out into society and come into direct contact with the marketplace." He also praised the program's educational significance, saying, "This is a new model of learning, and a valuable opportunity for students to think about what they can learn and how they can contribute to society."
On Tuesday, July 29th, our university's president, Kozo Yuki, received a letter of appreciation from the J.League for this initiative.
Going forward, our university will continue to deepen its ties with the local community and create opportunities for students to take the initiative in addressing social issues.
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[Department of Sport Science and Health]
