ClubLFC pre-season tour highlights growth of LFC International Academy Japan

Perhaps most importantly, the tour is giving young players the opportunity to experience LFC closer to home than they could ever have imagined.

In addition to attending the senior team's pre-season friendly on Wednesday against Yokohama F. Marinos, a special football clinic will also provide the opportunity to meet a special guest or two.

For Masakazu Shimizu, CEO of LFC International Academy Japan, the tour represents a significant milestone in the journey the academy has been on since it was opened back in 2014.

Opportunity of a lifetime

Masakazu said: "To have LFC visiting us here in Japan is incredible, an opportunity of a lifetime. It's hard to put into words how special this is for everybody involved with the International Academy.

"Since we opened the academy, we have worked hard to ensure we provide an authentic LFC experience to every child who spends time playing here, be it for a day, a month or many years. What can be more authentic than having LFC right here in Japan, playing a game and having club legends visit our venue?"

The venue Masakazu mentions is noteworthy in itself. A brand-new, purpose-built facility in Kawasaki, Liverpool Football Centre opened in 2024 and is the home of LFC International Academy Japan.

Featuring reception areas, classrooms, changing facilities and all-weather pitches, the venue not only gives players and coaches an outstanding LFC-branded facility to train and play at, but it also represents the International Academy's commitment to The Red Way.

"When we built the venue, it was important to us to keep The Red Way at the heart of the development. Sustainability was a top priority," Masakazu added.

"The construction methods, building materials and even the chips used on the artificial turf pitches are all naturally sourced, with sustainability considered in every detail. Since the completion of the facility, we have also been actively engaged in community contribution activities.

"These efforts have been recognised by the British Embassy in Japan, which adopted our activities as part of the MUSUBI Initiative. Through such efforts, we are striving to embody The Red Way here in Japan, even though we are far from Liverpool."

That's a fact not lost on LFC's director of impact, Rishi Jain, who himself will visit the venue this week and will be given a guided tour by Masakazu.

Creating a lasting LFC legacy in Japan

Completing the building of the purpose-built venue was the latest step in what has been an incredible success story for LFC International Academy Japan.

Since opening in 2014, it's estimated that more than 7,500 youngsters have passed through its doors, giving them an authentic LFC experience in Japan.

Globally, LFC International Academy strives to be a world leader in the development of children through football, delivering the greatest possible impact through the power of Liverpool FC.

By implementing the club's coaching methodologies at International Academies around the world, living to its core values and developing children on and off the pitch, LFC is brought to life for children who may never get the opportunity to visit Liverpool themselves.

For Masakazu, these are key aspects of why LFC International Academy Japan has experienced the success it has.

He said: "The International Academy programme is as authentic as it gets, and it shows in what is delivered every single day. Players, coaches and even the parents love to be part of this great club through the academy here in Japan and we continue to see growth year on year.

"The impact the academy has had on our local community is immense, and this tour feels like an amazing reward for all of our families and coaches who have helped us along the way."

Dan White, head of International Academies at LFC, added: "We are very proud of our International Academy in Japan. For over 10 years now our dedicated team of staff have been delivering LFC sessions week in and week out to these young players. Thousands have directly benefited, and many local coaches have also been given opportunities to be part of this special project.

"This is a great example of how LFC can successfully influence football development in the region and further demonstrates the positive impact we have on local communities."

According to a Social Return on Investment Study conducted in 2023, LFC International Academy Japan creates in excess of £500,000 of social economic value to the local community each year.

Meanwhile, in an annual survey of parents of children attending the academy in 2024, more than 90 per cent said they would recommend LFC International Academy Japan to a friend.

For more information, visit www.lfcsoccerschools.jp.