Still riding the World Cup buzz, the “SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP Futsal Club” is fired up again this season! | Club Activity Report

Hello everyone! This is Toda from SUNNY SIDE UP.

The futsal club brings together SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP members who love soccer. With the World Cup having everyone buzzing until recently, we were inspired by watching top-level matches every day—and our urge to kick a ball absolutely exploded!

It was August, in the middle of a relentless heatwave. Playing under the blazing sun would be dangerous, of course, but encouraged by soccer lovers saying, “After work it’ll cool down!” and “We just want to kick the ball!!”, we went ahead and held an in-house futsal meetup. Here is our report!

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The “Club Activity Support” program is one of the unique employee benefits included in SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP’s “32 Benefits.” With the goal of promoting communication among members and enhancing group synergy, it supports the establishment and continuation of club activities that match members’ various hobbies and interests, regardless of whether they are outdoor or indoor activities.

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[August] Refresh after work! Hosting an “In-House Futsal Meetup”!

One evening in August, futsal club members from SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP gathered at a court in Tokyo!

This time, due to unforeseen circumstances, the club captain could not attend—so a promising first-year member who had only just been officially assigned to their team in July joined us instead. With “a fresh breeze might blow in!?” the whole futsal club looked on with great anticipation.

Because it was after work, familiar faces naturally came together for this meetup. The atmosphere on the court was already hot from the very start.

And then, a welcome surprise!

Members of another club—the running club—also dropped in, saying, “I heard soccer is great for trail running training, so I decided to join!” They joined on the spot as training for a different sport. Whatever the motivation, whatever the background—everyone is welcome. That is the futsal club’s stance.

Titles and ages did not matter—just the joy of kicking the ball together in a lively, friendly buzz. Once play started, everyone went all out, putting even kids to shame.

Juniors teased seniors for their mistakes, everyone clapped and cheered for goals scored by our running-club helper—there are many ways to work up a “good sweat,” but every single face was absolutely shining!

A futsal club tradition! The “Young” vs. “Veteran” no-holds-barred showdown!!

While everyone enjoys kicking the ball together, once it becomes a competition, things naturally heat up—that is one of the great things about SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP!

The final game was the customary highlight of our in-house meetup—and the hottest moment of all: the “Young” vs. “Veteran” no-holds-barred showdown.

Would it be the fresh “Young” team, now joined by a promising new star officially assigned in July? Or the “Veteran” team, determined to defend the dignity of the seniors?

On the tense pitch, even the bench was full of heckling (laughs).

In this tense, no-holds-barred showdown, who would win—

The veterans, powered by seniority (!?), managed to force out a win! The moment the goal went in, the veteran team erupted in celebration. Meanwhile, some on the young team collapsed onto the pitch in frustration (laughs). Win or lose, everyone was serious. It was an incredibly refreshing sight!

After work, pushing our tired bodies to show up (laughs), we gather on the court with teammates, laugh for real, and clash for real. Fun, energetic, and sometimes seriously competitive—.

This year as well, the SUNNY SIDE UP GROUP futsal club will be stirring up some “fun commotion”! Whether you are just curious or fully committed, you are more than welcome! If you would like to kick the ball with us, please feel free to reach out!

Members from a wide range of departments, age groups, and genders come together—let’s stir up some “fun commotion” with us! Stay tuned!