A Study on a “Club Activity Activation Project” for Extracurricular Sports Activities at Public Junior High Schools in Suginami City, Tokyo

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to clarify the aim and problems of a “club activity activation project” involving professional coaches from corporations who have been employed for extracurricular sports activities (ESA) at public junior high schools in Suginami City, Tokyo. The study conducted expert interviews in 2019 with three people, including an official of the city administration, as well as a staff member and an instructor at a private sports company in Tokyo. As results of this research, the study clarified the following points : Suginami City instituted this project in 2013 using its budget. Suginami City uses professional coaches for ESA that were earlier supervised by teachers with no experience in playing sports, as their expertise was in subjects other than physical education. The purpose of the “club activity activation project” is to allow students to enjoy the experience of club activities, and also to reduce the burden on teachers. However, the project is facing difficulties in finding coaches for individual sports such as soft tennis. The project to revitalize ESA was initiated so that private sector instructors could rectify the unequal situation in which club activities were not feasible.