2014 Volume 11 Pages 27-32
This is a report about the creation of a local futsal team for people with mental health problems in Hokkaido and Tohoku in 2012‐2013. The method in this example, which targets a wide area, is not designed to create a highly competitive team. We set the aim to “take part in a big competition as an all-star team” and it was devised so that each player had an equal chance under severe economic and geographical conditions. As a result of a series of activities concerning the creation of the team, a feeling of solidarity beyond the area was provided to the staff, and players gained confidence, a sense of continuity and formed friendships. In each area, more and more people are helping us and there is more recognition of our activities. The local all-star team played a big role in the spread of activities in the northeast and the results achieved were far superior to the results of four all-star teams in the championships.
