Home > About Us > Sustainability Management > Sustainability Report > Sustainability Report 2014 > Close-Up on Social Contributions 2: Contributing to Society through Sports
Close-Up on Social Contributions 2: Contributing to Society through Sports
Contributing to society through sports is one of the Kobe Steel Group's distinctive activities. We pursue original activities designed to promote sports and foster the next generation of athletes. For instance, in addition to encouraging the popularization of rugby through support for high school rugby clubs, we also pursue local and societal outreach through the Kobe Steel Rugby Club and support a variety of other sports as well. Below, we share just some of the ways in which the Kobe Steel Group contributes to society through sports.
Special Sponsorship for High School Rugby
We offer support for training and coaching of coed high school athletes, in preparation for men's and women's rugby sevens becoming an official event for the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympics.
Encouraging the Next Generation of Athletes:
The KOBELCO Cup 2013!
Kobe Steel Group sponsors the KOBELCO Cup, an all-national high school division all-star teams rugby tournament. The ninth such tournament, KOBELCO Cup 2013 was held August 1-4, 2013 at Sugadaira in Ueda City, Nagano Prefecture.
The U17 and U18 players are selected from nine blocks throughout the country to engage in high-level matches to raise their skills. Coaching and tournament support is offered by the Classic Steelers (alumni of the Kobelco Steelers Rugby Club), who are just as passionate about their coaching as the athletes are about their playing.
Support for Women's Rugby Sevens Tournament
The Kobe Steel Group also sponsored the third annual all-national high school women's rugby sevens tournament held in Sugadaira in Ueda, Nagano Prefecture, in tandem with the KOBELCO Cup 2013. The women's tournaments were begun in 2011, as Japan's first official all-national high school women's rugby sevens championship.
The Kobe Steel Group holds workshops for beginners and inexperienced players to help spread the popularity of women's rugby.
Contributions by the Kobe Steel Rugby Club
The Kobelco Steelers are there for their fans on and off the field. A Top League club, the team contributes to society through activities such as fundraising and earthquake relief.
Kobelco Steelers Dominate First-Ever Official Rugby Match Attended by the Emperor
H. Nagaoka
The Kobe Steel rugby club performed excellently in the 2013-2014 season, advancing to the play-off tournament and championship semifinals. They played exceptionally well in the game attended by the Emperor. In the second match of the 51st Japan Rugby Football Union Championships, held at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium, the Kobelco Steelers competed against the Yamaha Motor club. After the first half Yamaha was leading 10 to 9. Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan arrived during halftime. The second half was closely fought, but with a last minute try and conversion the Kobelco Steelers upset the score for a 28 – 26 win. As the first ever official match attended by Their Majesties, the Kobelco Steelers are proud to have secured victory.
Raised Funds Presented to the Japan Spinal Cord Foundation
On August 26, 2013, the Kobe Steel Rugby Club donated a total of ¥225,887 to the Japan Spinal Cord Foundation, which included a portion of funds raised at matches in the last season, a portion of funds raised at the KOBELCO Rugby Festival 2013 held on July 14, 2013, and the funds raised by the "10 Yen Per Point" campaign carried out by the Japan Rugby Top League Captains' Meeting.
The Rugby Club has continued to make donations to the Foundation for 11 years, as spinal cord damage is an injury to which rugby players are susceptible.
Ongoing Disaster Relief Support for 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake
On June 18, 2013, the Kobe Steel Rugby Club donated a total of ¥1,128,486 to the Hyogo chapter of the Japanese Red Cross Society in support of relief efforts for the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. Funds included a portion of fan club membership dues from the 2012-2013 series as well as funds collected at matches during the previous season. The club also carries out a variety of activities to support the region, such as rugby clinics for students of rugby schools in the affected area of Iwaki, Fukushima Prefecture.
Support for a Variety of Sports
Local Outreach through Sports at Nadahama Sports Zone
Adjacent to the headquarters of the Kobe Steel Rugby Club, the Nadahama Sports Zone, which has an artificial turf field and tennis courts, has been opened to the public.
The facility loans out some equipment so that the field can be used for rugby, soccer, and ground golf. The Sports Zone is serving as a place of exchange among people who love sports, including local schools and rugby and soccer club teams.
Space Ball Events
Kobe Steel supports the sports-oriented NPO, SCIX, and holds events where children can participate in SCIX's original new sport, "Space Ball."
Like rugby and soccer, Space Ball is a sport where a ball is passed through space, helping children to develop their physical and situational assessment skills. Utilizing Kobe Steel's unique access to rugby athletes, coaches and facilities, we invite nearby elementary school children to the Kobe Steel Nadahama Ground to experience Space Ball firsthand.
