ABOUT
Takeshi NOZAWA (Former member of Japan National Rugby Team)Representative Director
We established the company “Never Stop Playing Sports” with the aim to create an environment where all athletes of any sport can be at their best. We provide opportunities for athletes to reflect on their aspiration and support them to achieve that goal. The original movement #Never Stop Playing Rugby2020 on SNS, which began on May 14 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, evolved into “Never Stop Playing Sports” within a few days. We soon recognized similar challenges across sports, such as athletes who retired without another chance to play, and athletes who lost their performance stage and next challenges because of canceled matches. We believe that adults have the responsibility to create a space where young athletes can showcase their talent, and to improve the quality of their athletic life. We’d love to have your support to make this happen. In a few decades, youths that you supported will be invigorating the world of sports. Let’s start giving. We wholeheartedly appreciate your support.
The original movement #Never Stop Playing Rugby2020 on SNS, which began on May 14 amid the COVID-19 pandemic, evolved into “Never Stop Playing Sports” within a few days. We soon recognized similar challenges across sports,
such as athletes who retired without another chance to play,
and athletes who lost their performance stage and next challenges because of canceled matches.
We believe that adults have the responsibility to create a space where young athletes can showcase their talent, and to improve the quality of their athletic life. We’d love to have your support to make this happen. In a few decades, youths that you supported will be invigorating the world of sports. Let’s start giving. We wholeheartedly appreciate your support.
Toshiaki HIROSE (Former member of Japan National Rugby Team)Co-Representative Director
For all who love sports, let’s take action to bring sports closer to our lives!
Let’s open the door to the new era together!
Kota MOGAMI (Communication Producer)Co-Representative Director
There are things we can do, because of the situation we are in.
We grew up playing sports, and now it is our chance to help the next generation do the same. Let’s bring our knowledge and expertise together to give them a brighter future!
What is #Never Stop Playing Sports?
The original movement “#Never Stop Playing Rugby” was founded by NOZAWA Takeshi and HIROSE Toshiaki, former members of Japan National Rugby Team. When many matches and tournaments became canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, high school players lost their chances to showcase their performance for future recruitment. The movement aimed to provide alternative opportunities for students despite the absence of tournaments.
Several high school students began updating videos of their performance on Twitter with a hashtag of the movement name. They were retweeted by famous players, rugby fans, as well as other stakeholders, in order to facilitate their university application. The movement, supported by the media, quickly went viral, and as a result, several players were accepted to play for universities or a top league.
The initiative that began with two sports, rugby and basketball, was soon adopted by other sports, such as handball and judo, and became a more universal “Never Stop Playing Sports” movement.
The company “Never Stop Playing Sports” was established to promote and develop the movement more permanently.
OUR COMPANY
| Name | Never Stop Playing Sports |
| Establishment Date | July 2020 |
| Representative Director | Takeshi NOZAWA |
| Address | 15 Yarai, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo |
