Time for professional players and dreams! Volleyball Class by Hiroshima Sanders in Kochi

On June 21, 2025, 94 elementary and junior high school students from the prefecture gathered at the main stadium of the Kochi Prefectural Gymnasium. A volleyball class was held with four players from the professional volleyball team "Hiroshima Sanders".

This is part of the “Sports Exchange Project” implemented by Kochi Prefecture, and aims to improve children's competitiveness and motivation through direct exchange with top athletes. There were applications for nearly 100 classroom participants, and the venue was full of vitality and expectations.

Experiences that interact with real technology

This time, four instructors were Shinichiro Inoue, Koshi Takechi, Junya Sakashita, and Daiki Abe of Hiroshima Sanders. A practical and fulfilling classroom was developed for elementary and junior high school students in the prefecture.

After the opening ceremony and the introduction of the players, the progress was a baton touch to the players. The group was divided into elementary and junior high school students, and the program progressed in a form in which two players were in charge of each.

The first thing that was done was recreation using the ball. The idea was to learn how to use the body necessary for volleyball naturally during play, and the children moved with a smile.

Next is instruction on basic techniques of volleyball such as toss, spikes, and receivers. There is also a scene where professional players explain with demonstrations and talk to each child. It was impressive to see how they tried to absorb technology while shining their eyes.

The junior high school team challenged a real-life mini game with a mixed member of the Hiroshima Sanders player and a support team. I deepened my learning in practice while experiencing professional play up close.

On the other hand, elementary school teams practice interpersonal training to receive spikes released by players. The appearance of challenging the ball that was driven out without hesitation excites the venue.

Spend another time with the players

In the second half of the classroom, participants set a question time for Hiroshima Sanders players. On a valuable opportunity to ask questions directly to your longing players, the children said, "What do you take care of in your usual practice?" Serious questions were asked one after another, such as "How do you not get nervous before the game?"

In the subsequent technical show, professional players performed warm-up and 2-to-2 mini games. A great applause and cheers were sent from the venue for a series of accurate and powerful plays.

It is also a valuable opportunity to actually receive the receipt of a professional player.
"Don't run away! Look at the ball!” At first, the participants, who were scared, took a step forward with everyone's encouragement, and were able to see them heading to the ball with courage.

In addition, autograph sessions and commemorative photos were held, and the exchange between players and children progressed in a warm and peaceful atmosphere until the closing ceremony, which closed the classroom.

Developing the future through sports exchanges

In this classroom, Kochi Prefecture is actively promoting `` sports exchange '' so that athletes and students in the prefecture can experience the top-level skills in the competition environment of Kochi Prefecture, where there are few opportunities to see the play of top athletes close. It was held as part of the business. In 2024, a running seminar by Aoyama Gakuin University track and field club and a rugby clinic by Hanazono Kintetsu Liners were also held, and various initiatives are planned in 2025.

Voices of Participants

The children, who were directly instructed by professional players, smiled throughout the practice and showed a serious look.

This time, we interviewed several junior high school students and elementary school students who participated in the classroom and talked about their impressions and future goals.

We asked two junior high school students belonging to Esperansa Aki based in Aki City, Kochi Prefecture for their impressions.

Yamamoto-kun (right photo) "When I saw a professional player for the first time, I was surprised at the height of my height, and I thought that the connection of the ball in each position was smooth and flowing. I learned a lot of techniques I didn't know, so I'd like to take advantage of the techniques I learned from now on."

Nozaki-kun (pictured right) "I was happy to be able to ask a professional setter player directly about the tips of over tossing. I want to be able to lift a good toss too.”

We also talked to elementary school students who participated from the joint team of Takasu Junior Volleyball Team and Juichi Elementary School Volleyball Club.

Mio: "I learned how to teach Hiroshima Sanders players. I want to make use of what I learned today to participate in the national convention.”

Juri-san "It was fun to be able to laugh at the volleyball practice that I had never done before. Personally, I want to practice what I learned today and get better at receiving.”

"Because I'm with professional players, I'm going to practice very well. I enjoyed the basic practice. I want to keep practicing today and be able to hit straight spikes.”

Fumina "I feel a little better because I was taught how to get the tips and how to get the receiver. I want to win the national convention.”

The children's words have conveyed that valuable interaction and learning experiences with professional players have led to their confidence and future goals.

Message from the players

After the volleyball class, we asked Shinichiro Inoue and Koshi Takechi about their impressions of completing this class and their messages to volleyball kids who work hard nationwide.

Here are some powerful words unique to professional players for future players.

Koshi Takechi (No. 8 from Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture)

"The kids in Kochi were very energetic and we were very easy to do, and it was good for us to be able to share the fun of volleyball together. I'm really glad I came here.
Volleyball is a sport that you can't do alone in a team competition. I think it's a very attractive sport, so I hope that children who are playing volleyball now can enjoy volleyball anyway and like it. "

Shinichiro Inoue (No. 5 from Takamatsu City, Kagawa Prefecture)

"Currently, mainly in Hiroshima Prefecture and the Chugoku region, we do a lot of volleyball classes, but even if we look back on our experience, we are professional players at elementary schools and junior high schools when we are small, It was a stimulus to see top-level players play up close. It is a great pleasure for us to have such an experience that we like sports even if it is not a valley and want to play like this, so with such thoughts, such a classroom I'm doing it.
As an individual, there are currently few volleyball league players from Shikoku, so I hope that I can play an active part in it and excite the volleyball of Shikoku more. "

At the end

The children would have gained great stimuli and goals by being exposed to professional skills and direct guidance. This classroom was realized through the enthusiastic guidance of Hiroshima Sanders players and the warm support of local high school and university teams. It was a day that made me feel such a possibility that the top players of the future flutter from this Kochi area.

You can check the status of the day on the official YouTube.

We hope that this opportunity will continue to spread further through Kochi Prefecture's "Sports Exchange Project".