LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL PROJECT, START!! Part 22009.05.01

In terms of keeping this project running continually, in reality the most difficult aspect is its viability as a business. Although I have played in more football games than I can count, my experience at getting teams together and holding matches is still very limited. But in order to make this project an ongoing thing despite this obstacle, it needs to be financially viable. (It is run by a trust fund, so there cannot be profit, but at the same time if our books are always in the red, no matter how passionate we are it would not be able to go on.)

The initial structure I came up with for this project, through exchanging opinions with the hosts, involved the hosts gathering funds to cover the cost of holding the matches (excluding fees for players) and the cost of holding exhibition events etc. either from the budgets of the regional governments and soccer associations and so on, or through sponsors. My reasoning behind this was that in order to motivate the regional governments and football associations to take on a sense of ownership of the project and work to stimulate their respective regions, it would be best for them, not us, to be responsible for securing funds. All costs directly related to recruiting players, on the other hand, would be footed by the fund, and as a general rule gate takings would be put to use in ball distribution projects. However in reality it would be very difficult for the hosts to gather funds to cover running costs of their games, so in the end the plan came to be that running costs would be covered by gate takings.

In this LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL PROJECT, being able to pay players decently (money, that is) for their participation is a key in facilitating its continuation. For that reason I planned to pay players with money received by the fund from sponsors. However, as is the case with J League at present, with the economy as unhealthy as it is, teams that rely on corporate sponsorship are left in very difficult positions as sponsors drop off one after another. Teams that cover their running costs primarily with gate takings, however, which is standard practice for entertainment in general, have managed to maintain stability in times like these. Currently, we are fortunate enough to have sponsors who support TAKE ACTION F.C. and our principles, and thanks to them the game in Kofu recently was possible without us having to pay the players. But looking into the future, we have many cities raising their hands to be match hosts, and for us to have a business model that relies entirely on sponsors would jeopardise the stability of the project's future. In that sense, I now believe we need to adjust our business plan so that players can be paid from gate takings too.

My hope was initially to use the gate takings to purchase and distribute as many balls as possible around the world, and because of the above situation, the number of balls we will be able to buy will have decreased. But even so, I had to review my priorities - the most important thing is not how many balls we donate, but how long we can continue this meaningful project. It's important to have a set-up not that sacrifices no one - that can be continued without putting unreasonable pressure on anyone at all. If the project can continue, then so can the distribution of balls. So that is how I came to the decision to move forward with the project in this way.

Initially, it was the goal of the LIFE AFTER FOOTBALL PROJECT to donate 10,000 balls per year. We were planning the number of matches we should have per year, the capacity of stadiums and the price of tickets all based on fulfilling that goal of 10,000 balls. On top of this, in order to attract as broad an age range as possible, we decided to keep the tickets as cheap as possible, and to invite 1500 senior citizens (people aged 65 or over) to attend for free.

However, once again, having ascertained that the running of TAKE ACTION FOOTBALL CLUB and the matches cannot go in the format originally planned, I now see that although we managed to hold the last game without any problems, we will need to rethink this aspect for future games to, if we are to continue with several matches a year. This aspect has been the biggest learning curve for me. But what I am really happy about is that some information came through that despite the economic circumstances, the money from the game in Yamanashi alone looks like it will be enough, at a stretch, to meet our annual ball donation goal of 10,000! I will give a proper detailed report including profit etc when the full details come through.

Firstly, by offering football that is worth watching and worth (more than) the ticket price, we will keep the spectators happy. The match will also act to promote football. With each match held, the media will focus on that region, which will lead to both the promotion and stimulation of the area. The TAKE ACTION F.C. players will enjoy themselves, and the young players on the opposing teams will be motivated by the experience. The sponsors who support this kind of new system will be making a contribution to society, and a great number of soccer balls will reach children living in tough environments. I really wanted to create a business model that brings happiness to every person who is involved. That is the whole purpose if this project for me.

But despite this, there are misunderstandings...

To be continued