#1 The story of a 24-year-old who is deaf becoming the owner of a soccer club aiming for J1 from the amateur league. ~Starting in September, a record of the challenge from scratch~
Nice to meet you! I am SHUN (24), a new club owner who will start moving in earnest from September to enter the adult soccer league.
Yes, I haven't "become an owner" yet; I am "right now, in the process of becoming an owner from scratch."
I have one major characteristic: I am deaf.
I will be honest. A life without hearing was tougher and more difficult than I imagined. I have lost count of the nights I shed tears of frustration over words that didn't reach me, miscommunications, and feeling the weight of my handicap.
But now, as a working adult, I have been entrusted with managing an organization, and together with the best companions, I am standing at the starting line of a big dream: "to create a soccer club that will start moving toward entering the adult league in September and seriously aim for promotion to J1."
◆ "Make the path you chose the right one" — Setbacks and giving back to soccer
My motto is, "Make the path you chose the right one."
I originally played soccer in the academy of a prestigious J-League club, seriously aiming to become a professional. However, I couldn't advance to the higher category and experienced a major setback.
From there, carrying my frustration, I tried various sports like basketball and tennis, but now that I am a working adult, I have come full circle to the realization that "I was saved by soccer after all."
I am still a huge fan of that club, and the time I spend kicking a ball with my friends on the weekend is the most fulfilling part of my life.
I may have taken a detour after my setback. But, I will now make this path I chose and walked on the "right one" with my own hands.
"I want to give back to soccer and to the people who supported me." That is the origin of why I launched this club as an owner.
◆ Using "individuality" as a weapon. The "ultimate management" I gained as a deaf person
And the word I value is "individuality" (rashisa).
Because I am deaf, I have lived my life supported by many people. I truly feel I have been blessed with people.
There were times I struggled with my handicap, but because I cannot rely on sound, I gained "management skills to read people's expressions deeply and empathize with them more than anyone else" and "the tolerance to accept people's differences and their 'individuality' just as they are."
And now at 24, I have been evaluated as a working adult and have built a track record of leading a team as a manager.
Disability has nothing to do with it. Everyone has the right to do what they want by fully embracing their own "individuality." With the unconventional ideas I can come up with precisely because I am deaf, and management that utilizes each person's "individuality," I will rewrite the common sense of soccer clubs to date.
◆ Life is always more fun when you are dreaming.
The name of the club I am creating is still under final consideration. But the people who have gathered are the best members, including reliable companions in charge of branding, as well as those handling field operations, player scouting, and administrative procedures. They are all incredibly interesting people who have jumped on board with my passion and vision.
“Life is always more fun when you’re dreaming.”
I want to keep chasing big dreams myself, and through my challenge, I want to show everyone involved that they can dream big too. I want to create an exciting future together with you.
◆ Real footprints from September and to our friends (supporters)
From now on, I will update this note every week with our real footprints.
The 'realistic walls' required to enter the adult league (accompanying referees, securing facilities, etc.) and the breakthroughs
My team management techniques that transcend words as someone who is deaf
Building an organization with the best initial members, including those in charge of branding
Realistic costs and strategies to make the club a success as a business
This is a documentary that isn't just about the pretty parts, but about building something from scratch through grit and hard work.
For those who want the courage to take on a challenge, and those who want to achieve results in business. And above all, for those looking for a team that will make their hearts race, or those who want to become supporters and chase our dreams with us.
I would be happy if you could follow us and enjoy this challenge together as our 'friends'!
From next time, I think I'll talk a little more about myself. First, I'll deliver: 'The reason why I value the word 'individuality' more than anything else.' Look forward to it!
Extra edition:
I read this myself so far... but it might have come off as a bit suspicious (lol).
Perhaps it's because elements like 'a 24-year-old who is deaf,' 'aiming for J1 from the adult league,' and 'becoming an owner' feel like a dramatic story or some grand fiction.
However, this note is by no means a made-up story or an exaggerated production, but a record of my own true life and my serious challenge.
The wall of reality that I am deaf, the setback in the Kashima Antlers youth system, and crawling back up from there to build a soccer club from scratch with reliable friends. I am writing down the entire process, both the good and the bad, in my own words.
If you are even a little bit interested, please read my story. Even if you are deaf, life can be more interesting and more passionate. I will prove that in this note.
I would be happy if you could witness the moment when my challenge, which seems unbelievable at first glance, eventually 'makes the path I took the right one'!