We are pleased to announce that the "Antlers Food Education Caravan" for elementary school students in our hometown will be held again in fiscal year 2026. This year, it will start on Tuesday, May 12th, targeting all 14 elementary schools in Kamisu City.
This project aims to give back to the community the practical know-how regarding diet and exercise cultivated through our experience as a professional football club, and to contribute to the healthy development and growth of children.
The lectures use original teaching materials featuring top team players, allowing children to learn the importance of "food" proactively and enjoyably, using Kashima Antlers, their local club and a familiar presence, as an entry point. In addition, "exercise classes" where children move their bodies using soccer balls will be held simultaneously under the guidance of coaches from the Antlers Academy, our youth organization. Through experiencing both "diet" and "exercise," this will be an opportunity for them to learn that the balance between the two is crucial for healthy development and peak performance.
This project, implemented as an initiative of the Antlers Hometown Council with the support of Showa Sangyo Co., Ltd. (Head Office: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; President and Representative Director: Hideyuki Tsukakoshi), our official partner, marks its 13th year.
To date, it has visited elementary schools in the five hometown cities (Kashima City, Itako City, Kamisu City, Namegata City, Hokota City), with over 11,400 children participating in a total of 140 lectures over 12 years, establishing itself as an educational support initiative where the club, partner companies, and the community work together. This year, we will continue to convey the importance of "food" and "exercise" to children.
This year's teaching materials feature new team members Haruki Hayashi, Yugo Okawa, and Haruto Fujii. In addition to raising awareness of basic knowledge such as the role of breakfast and the balance of the five major nutrients, the materials also introduce actual meal menus from the youth player dormitory, as well as correct posture and chopstick holding techniques during meals. It clearly explains what we want children to consider and learn as "daily eating habits." Furthermore, it touches upon local ingredients available in the five hometown cities, aiming to increase interest in local production for local consumption.
FY2026 Antlers Food Education Caravan Overview
■ Implementation Period
Tuesday, May 12, 2026 – Tuesday, June 23, 2026
*The period varies by school.
■ Target
All 14 elementary schools in Kamisu City
Click here for this year's "Antlers Food Education Caravan" teaching material pamphlet
Past Achievements (Number of Schools / Number of Participating Children)
・2014: Kashima City (12 schools / 1,880 participants)
・2015: Kashima City (12 schools / 1,078 participants), Namegata City (6 schools / 880 participants)
・2016: Hokota City (16 schools / 1,057 participants)
・2017: Kamisu City (15 schools / 1,371 participants)
・2018: Itako City (6 schools / 394 participants)
・2019: Kashima City (12 schools / 911 participants)
・2020: Hokota City (9 schools / 536 participants)
・2021: Itako City (5 schools / 356 participants), Namegata City (4 schools / 244 participants)
・2022: Kamisu City (14 schools / 1,012 participants)
・2023: Kashima City (13 schools / 798 participants)
・2024: Hokota City (7 schools / 381 participants)
・2025: Itako City (5 schools / 243 participants), Namegata City (4 schools / 264 participants)
・Total: 140 schools / 11,405 participants