On November 29th, at the Yono Hachioji Ground, the "Urawa Reds Future Goalkeeper Project" was held for motivated 4th and 5th grade boys who have the goal of becoming Urawa Reds goalkeepers in the future. The aim was to help them experience the fun of soccer and the fun of being a goalkeeper. Specialized training was provided by Urawa Reds goalkeeper coaches. Shusaku Nishikawa from the top team participated in the training.
The "Urawa Reds Goalkeeper Project", which started in 2013 with the support of Bunka Shutter, is now in its 12th year. This year, it was held over two days, November 22nd (Friday) and 29th (Friday), and 20 elementary school students participated.









In addition to Nishikawa, former Urawa Reds player Lee Tadanari also participated in this training, working through the children's training menu and giving them advice based on his actual playing experience. Nishikawa carefully explained the importance of positioning when receiving a shot, speed of reaction, and proper saving, drawing on his own experience. Lee also gave instruction from the perspective of a field player, and the children were seen to be listening intently to the advice of the professional players and actively working on their training.







In addition, when the two players and the participants had a penalty shootout, the children's eyes lit up as they faced off against professional soccer players and former players. After the penalty shootout, the two players presented the participants with commemorative gifts, and at the end, everyone took a commemorative photo to conclude the "Urawa Reds Future Goalkeeper Project."









[Tomoyuki Takano, Manager of the Sales Planning Department at Bunka Shutter]
"We are very happy to be able to support this opportunity to learn about the essence of Urawa Reds from a coach who does not usually teach them. This time, we had Nishikawa participate and Li participate from a forward's perspective, and we were able to carry out the project in a fun way, so I think it was also beneficial for the children who participated. There were many kind words in the messages addressed to the children, and we would be happy if the children carry these messages with them into the future and take to the pitch as Urawa Reds players in the future. We want the children to continue to do their best, and we hope that we can continue this project as a place to spread the appeal of the goalkeeper position and to nurture future star players."

[Mr. Tadanari Lee]
"It was great to see the children's eyes shining. I think it will be a treasured experience for the children to be able to watch a top Japanese player like Nishikawa play in Saitama. It was a wonderful event."

[Shusaku Nishikawa]
"Although it was only a short time, the children who participated listened to what I said attentively and immediately put it into practice, so I could see how they all grew. Also, thanks to Lee coming, the atmosphere was really lively, and I think it was a really valuable experience to be able to receive advice from a forward's perspective. I really enjoyed it too."

[Urawa Reds Official Media (URD:OM)]