Japan Futsal Training Camp 2024 - Part 1
In September 2024, I had the opportunity to take two Kiwi futsal players, Sarah and Bee, to Japan to train with Bardral Urayasu, one of the top futsal clubs in the country. This trip was driven by my passion for giving New Zealand players greater exposure to futsal at an international level and a glimpse into the rigorous training environment outside of New Zealand. Over the course of two weeks, the players experienced late-night training sessions with one of Japan’s best teams, while also immersing themselves in the vibrant culture of Japan.
Sarah and Bee visiting Osaka Castle
Our Schedule
Late-night Training with Bardral
Our late-night training sessions with the Bardral Women’s Team took place after the day's activities had wrapped up, running from 9:00 PM to 11:00 PM. The team was incredibly welcoming, and their coach, Masao Yonekawa, openly shared their training sessions with us. Over six nights, we had the opportunity to train alongside them.
Bardral Urayasu Women’s First Team
The Bardral team was incredibly strong, fit, and fast, with training sessions that were both intense and high in energy. It was inspiring to see this level of commitment, especially considering they balanced their daily lives with rigorous training almost every day.
Japanese Women’s League Games
While in Japan, we had the chance to watch some Women’s League games. We took a four-hour bullet train from Tokyo to Hyogo to see Bardral compete against two other teams. Their performance on the court was exceptional, a clear reflection of their extensive training. Watching them in action, Sarah and Bee couldn’t help but comment, ‘These guys are REALLY good”.
Sightseeing in Japan
Not every day was dedicated to training. During our downtime, we took a train to explore the city's vibrant metropolitan side and immerse ourselves in its rich history. We experienced Japan’s pop culture in Shibuya and Harajuku, and also took in the beauty of Kyoto and Osaka’s historic temples and castles.
Shibuya Crossing
Rooftop Futsal
While in Shibuya, we visited a local futsal stadium and joined a session they call Kosal Futsal which is a popular way to play social futsal in Japan. Players sign up individually and are grouped into teams on the spot. We had the incredible experience of playing on a rooftop futsal court, surrounded by towering buildings in the heart of Shibuya. The atmosphere was unreal.
Adidas Futsal Park in Shibuya
My Takeaways
The Japanese team’s style of play is more thought-out and calculated. Even for something as simple as a kick-in, they carefully consider the timing, direction, and height of the kick, while also preparing multiple backup plans based on the opponent's positioning.
Through extensive training and game experience, they develop exceptional decision-making skills. Even under intense pressure, the Bardral team remains composed, making quick decisions that lead to precise execution.
In Conclusion
This was my first time taking Kiwi players to Japan, and I hope to continue doing this to help develop futsal in New Zealand. By exposing players to the possibilities that futsal can offer, they gain a clearer understanding of what they need to work on to compete at a higher level. New Zealand is still in the early stages of its futsal journey, and to support its growth, we need to create more opportunities like this.
Bardral Team after their match in Nishinomiya
