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Why hold the national senior soccer "back championship"?

There are many senior players nationwide who are serious about playing soccer while maintaining a balance between work and home even when they grow up. Their goal is to participate in the "All Japan O-40 Soccer Tournament" in which only 16 teams that have won the regional qualifiers can participate. In order to further excite senior soccer, three men moved, saying, "I would like to hold a similar tournament for the players who could not participate!" The national senior soccer "back championship" will be held. We talked to Shunsuke Watanabe, who served as an advisor for this tournament and had previously appeared in KING GEAR.

Icon 16466945 810048175800857 1247399717 nKoike Kikuchi | 2020/11/12
--Please tell us the reason for holding the National Senior Soccer Tournament (Over 40), commonly known as the "Back Championship".

Watanabe: Many of the people who continue to play soccer seriously even as adults are working hard with the goal of "entering the senior league and participating in national competitions at the age of 40".
 

Currently, the JFA "8th All Japan O-40 Soccer Tournament" (hereinafter referred to as the "Main Tournament") is being held. It is a valuable tournament where only 16 teams can participate nationwide.
 

――It's more difficult than the high school soccer championship to be able to participate only in the 16 teams that have won the district qualifiers. In high school soccer, you can get two teams from Tokyo, but there are many cases where you can't get one from Tokyo.
 

Watanabe:That's right. It is a narrow gate to participate in the national tournament, and there are many players who lose in the district qualifying and cannot participate in the national tournament. I have been trying for several years, but as I get older year by year, many people quit.

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Atsujiro Nakamura (former Zweigen Kanazawa GM, behind this time, said, "I want players who have lost their goals to continue pursuing their dreams by holding a wonderful tournament that is similar to that" in order to make senior soccer even more exciting. It was from the founder of the championship. Below: Atsu-san).

"Isn't it interesting for seniors to have something similar to the" back championship "that is held by gathering teams that couldn't play high school soccer? I was asked by Mr. Atsushi.

Since I myself have participated in the Over35 national tournament, it is motivating to play against strong players nationwide, and people who are playing while working as members of society also change greatly just by having goals, so I think it is interesting. I will. "
 

After exchanging opinions with Atsushi, the founder, and Hideto Wakita (hereinafter referred to as Waki), who is the executive committee chairman of this tournament, about his passion for senior soccer, I was in the form of an advisor for the back championship. We have a network for senior teams, so we will help you. "

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――It would be a great motivation for senior players to have another tournament. Please tell us your plans for such a tournament.

Watanabe: The number one point is to provide a place where you can seriously fight the part that you will play as a lifelong sport. Unfortunately, I would like to collect the strong players who could not participate in this tournament, and I also want the participating teams to enjoy it.

The selection of the venue is also important, and the disaster-stricken J-Village reopened in 2018 with a reopening. I told him that I would like to use it at that time, and I kindly agreed with J-Village. For us, J-Village is also a stage we admire like the National Stadium.
 

――Originally, you planned to hold the first tournament in October last year, right?
 

Watanabe:Yes. Twelve strong teams gathered, but due to the forecast that a large typhoon would land, safety was the best, so we canceled it.
 

At the stage of cancellation, I was adjusting the schedule of this tournament and the schedule that I would not suffer, saying "Let's switch to 2020!" ..
 

I was giving up halfway in a situation where I didn't know what the world would be like socially, but when I saw more and more situations, and when it was decided to restart the J-League in the summer, the people concerned said, "Let's do it!" We decided on this and recruited teams as we did last year with the concept of "providing a place where powerful players can gather and fight seriously."
 

Since the back championship was announced last year, 12 teams will be decided early, and the league match and tournament will be held on November 14th (Sat) and 15th (Sun) to decide the championship. It was decided.
 

――It's only a few days until the tournament. What kind of team will participate?

Watanabe: Basically, I'm the first to speak to the strong teams who lost in qualifying and couldn't make it to the main tournament.

Even if you take first place in Tokyo like this year's "Elyse Tokyo Senior 40", you can't participate in this tournament unless you win the Kanto qualifying. (The Kanto tournament will be canceled due to the influence of the new Corona this year, and the teams participating in this tournament will be decided by lottery)
 

* A list of participating teams is posted at the end of the sentence.

――It's nice to have another tournament.
 
Watanabe: You can set a goal of "I can't play in the main tournament, but I may be able to play in the back championship", and teams that are serious about senior soccer always have a schedule for the week when this tournament is held. The purpose is to hold the event on weekends in the vicinity so that the schedule will not be covered.

We hope to spread senior soccer through synergistic effects without causing any inconvenience to both parties.

――You are over 40 years old, aren't you? Many people who continue to play soccer until this age are very hot.
 

Watanabe: Yes, I work in different environments and many have families. There are many people who are facing soccer properly even in difficult times, and they are seriously facing soccer.

Above all, the time to play with friends is interesting, and when it's an official game, it becomes more serious. Everyone who is a senior is really serious about it.

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――You are particular about winning and losing, and you are training even when you don't have time for work.

Watanabe: For example, Mr. Atsu was also a GM of Zweigen Kanazawa, so there was a time when he was practicing back and forth between Tokyo and Kanazawa aiming for a national tournament in Kanazawa before. There are many people all over the country who are so serious.
 

――Shunsuke is also playing in a senior league team, isn't it?

Watanabe: From the beginning of this year, I made a senior team and participated in the league at "TSV1973 Yokkaichi" which I run.

Seniors and juniors in high school and players who played in the national polity when they were working adults have gathered and started their activities.
Everyone is doing it really seriously in the absence of time, and I think it's very healthy and good.

――You can feel like an extension of your youth. 

Watanabe: It's really interesting to be able to work together again with friends who were seriously fighting together from 18 to 22 years old, even though their backs have changed since they were over 40 years old and their physical strength and muscular strength have changed. I'm happy.
 

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――If you didn't continue playing soccer, you might not have been able to meet again. Many supporting companies are attached to this tournament, aren't they?

Watanabe: I am really grateful to all the companies who agreed with the purpose of this tournament. He also agreed to create a place where he can fight seriously as a member of society.

As a company, he really thinks about the importance of health and an environment where he can play sports seriously.

Special sponsorship from OMRON HEALTHCARE, various companies such as setting up a trainer booth, promoting recovery with low frequency treatment equipment, providing pre-supplements to participating teams, shooting videos, shooting play by professional photographers, etc. Thank you for your cooperation. (List of supporting companies is posted at the end of the sentence)
 

We will set up a number of team awards and individual awards to support adults who play seriously, and we must make the tournament mature and wonderful for the sponsoring companies.

--Wonderful! It's a place where adults play seriously. It would be even better if we could expand the community and increase the number of friends and enrich our lives through this tournament. 

Watanabe: I would be happy if various exchanges were born through soccer. In addition, it may be difficult for a father player who has a family to participate overnight on Saturdays and Sundays, so he puts in the thought of "please come with his family" and is studded with the hospitality of Atsushi and Waki. It is a tournament.
 

--This is the last question. Why does Shunsuke continue to play soccer?

Watanabe: Soccer is soaked in my body! Life without soccer is unthinkable. If the environment is in place, I want to do it anytime.

I think it's difficult to do that when you grow up. But on the contrary, because I became an adult, I am looking forward to playing soccer with my friends again and motivating myself.

Of course, aiming for a national tournament is also motivating, but I'm really looking forward to kicking the ball with my friends toward the same goal instead of drinking alcohol.

Even if I don't like it at work, it's really fun to have friends around me on a sunny day and say, "Let's kick the ball!"

--The back championship will be held soon. If you have any message, please. 

Watanabe: We would like to express our sincere gratitude for the cooperation and cooperation of many people. Thank you very much.

We are looking forward to the fierce battle at J-Village from Saturday, November 14th in anticipation of clear autumn weather! Staff, players, please enjoy the serious game and do your best to become the first champion! !!
   

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【profile】

Shunsuke Watanabe

Born in March 1978. Born in Yokkaichi City, Mie Prefecture.
After graduating from high school, moved to Germany alone. After playing for two and a half years in Düsseldorf, he returned to Japan in 1998. He played as a test student until the end of the season in search of a place to play an active part in the J League, but did not reach a contract in J2 the following year. After 1999, he returned to his hometown and became involved in the world of adult soccer. At the age of 20, he started an apparel affiliate, SDI Co., Ltd.

In 2014, it took over the family business sewing company Ing Co., Ltd. and made a full-scale entry into the bedding and bedding industry. While involved in product planning and manufacturing of famous apparel brands, he also founded his own brand.

In 2008, he produced the men's apparel brand "BOTANIKA", which was particular about organic cotton, with designer Taishi Nobukuni. In the same year, "VIRI-DARI deserta" was born and focused on making clothes using organic cotton.

In 2019, he became the representative and general manager of the local soccer club "TSV1973 Yokkaichi". Declared to become a professional sports club and enter the J-League in the future. Through soccer, which he has devoted himself to for many years, he aims to mature the sports culture and local community of his hometown Yokkaichi.

≪1st National Senior Soccer Tournament (Over40) ≫

"Back Championship"
List of participating teams 

① Ossandore Sapporo 40 (Hokkaido) * 3rd place in Hokkaido
 
② FC Iwate (Iwate Prefecture) * Morioka FC and Shiwa Masters joint team
③ Iwaki Senior 40 (Fukushima Prefecture) * Local holding frame
④ Dream Mito Senior FC40 (Ibaraki Prefecture) * 1st place in the Ibaraki Prefecture League
⑤ SOL TODA (Saitama Prefecture) * Saitama Prefecture 1st Division 2nd place
⑥ FC Funabashi (Chiba) * Currently No. 1 in the Chiba 1st Division League
⑦ FC Ichihara Senior (Chiba) * Currently 3rd in the Chiba 1st Division League
⑧ aries Tokyo Senior 40 (Tokyo) * 1st place in Tokyo qualifying
⑨ Real Tokyo 40 (Tokyo) * 2nd place in Tokyo qualifying
⑩ T. Dreams (Tokyo) * 3rd place in Tokyo qualifying
⑪ Compass Club NAGOYA (Aichi Prefecture) * 2nd place in Tokai Tournament (1st place in Aichi Prefecture League)
⑫ Rakuto Senior Soccer Club (Kyoto Prefecture) * Kyoto Tournament Best 4

≪List of supporting companies and prizes≫

■ Group award

① OMRON HEALTHCARE Co., Ltd.
Official sitehttps://www.healthcare.omron.co.jp/
[Winning team supplementary prize]
・ Low frequency treatment device with microcurrent (for up to 20 people)

② JOGARBOLA (Soccer.com Co., Ltd.)
Official sitehttp://www.jogarbola.net/
[Runner-up team supplementary prize]
・ Providing products worth 200,000 yen from the catalog

③ M.MOWBRAY SPORTS (R & D Co., Ltd.)

Official sitehttps://www.mowbraysports.jp/
[3rd place team supplementary prize] 
・ For 15 insoles
 

④ Log In Co., Ltd.
Official sitehttps://store.sido-japan.com/
[4th place team supplementary prize] 
・ Bandage pants for 15 people
 

⑤ Molecular Physiochemical Research Institute Co., Ltd.
Official sitehttps://www.mpc-lab.com/
[Distant Team Award] 
・ Three types of sets of vitamin B, vitamin C, and coenzyme Q10 (for up to 20 people)
 

⑥VILI-DALI
Official site
http://store.viri-dari.jp/
[Fair Play Award] 
・ Mask, mask case, eco bag (for up to 20 people)
   

≪List of supporting companies and prizes≫

[Individual Award]

⑦ Neu interesse (Morpho Co., Ltd.)

Official sitehttps://www.cypris.co.jp/
[Individual Award Supplementary Award] 
・MVP Briefcase
 
・MIP Longwallet
 
・ Scorer Longwallet
 
・ Fighting Award Briefcase
 
・Excellent trial award Longwallet
 

⑧ Nishikawa Co., Ltd.
Official sitehttps://www.nishikawa1566.com
[Individual Award Supplementary Award]
・ MVP Air Portable Cushion S
・ Best FW Air Portable Cushion S
・ Best MF Air Portable Cushion S
・ Best DF Air Portable Cushion S

⑨WALLER   
Official sitehttp://waller.co.jp/
[Individual Award Supplementary Award]
・ Best GK GK Gloves [Overall Support]

⑩ sfida (Imio Corporation)

Official sitehttp://sfidasports.com/
【Use the ball】 
・ BSF-VN01 VAIS PRO
* EAFF E-1 Football Championship Official Match Ball


⑪ Space One Co., Ltd.
Official sitehttps://www.spacexone.com/
[Meeting commemorative video / drone shooting]
・ Shoot play scenes such as qualifying league (partial) and finals, and ceremony scenes such as opening ceremony and awards ceremony
・ Shooting cheering people and off-the-pitch scenes as a tournament scene ・ Fukushima Prefecture gift set (5,000 yen)

⑫ The StadiuM Co., Ltd.

Official sitehttps://thestadium.co.jp/
[Trainer booth]
・ Trainer support will be provided at the trainer booth during the tournament.

⑬ Minami Ikebukuro Osteopathic Institute
Official sitehttps://minamiikebukuroseikotsuin.jimdo.com/
[Trainer booth]
・ Trainer support will be provided at the trainer booth during the tournament.

Photo courtesy of Shunsuke Watanabe