[Venue Reception]
At the reception held at the main entrance, Manager Ishii, along with coaches Furukawa, Oiwa, and Yanagisawa, greeted the participants. A fundraising drive for Typhoon No. 18 disaster relief was also held, and many donations were received.
[Opening Ceremony]
The opening ceremony, which began at 3 PM, was hosted by C.R.O. Nakata and Mitsuyo Takagi. After the manager and players lined up, Representative Director and President Shigeru Ihata and player Ogasawara gave speeches.
C.R.O. Nakata giving final instructions to the players before entering the pitch.
Representative Director and President Shigeru Ihata: "To all members of the Antlers family, thank you very much for participating in SOCIO FESTA 2015 today. We are delighted to be able to hold this annual festival. The team is currently engaged in a fierce battle for the championship in the 2nd stage. We have advanced to the semi-finals of the Yamazaki Nabisco Cup, and won the second round of the Emperor's Cup with a team centered around young players. There is a strong possibility of achieving the triple crown this season. Under Manager Ishii, the team has blossomed significantly and is progressing strongly with each match. To achieve our big goal, this is the crucial moment. We ask for your continued warm support so that we can end the season with the biggest smiles together."
Player Ogasawara: "I apologize for losing yesterday's match. Ideally, we would have won and been able to hold today's event, but we deeply feel our own weakness and immaturity in not being able to win such matches. I believe that SOCIO members are people who are strongly determined to fight alongside us throughout the year. With gratitude to all of you, I hope we can offer you our hospitality. We will work together to achieve results that meet your expectations. Please continue to cheer us on at the stadium. We will do our best to make sure you enjoy the event, so please have fun!"
[Photo Site]
At the "Photo Site" set up on the pitch and in the dugout, players, manager, coaches, and C.R.O. Nakata took commemorative photos with the participants. In the first session, players Shibasaki, Sogahata, Akasaki, and Yamamoto appeared, along with Manager Ishii and the coaching staff. In the second session, players Ogasawara, Doi, Sato, Shoji, Davi, Kanazaki, and C.R.O. Nakata took photos with the participants. Additionally, a group photo booth was set up in the second session, with 9 players participating.
[Autograph Site]
At the booths on the concourse, an autograph session was held as the "Autograph Site." In the first session, players Ogasawara, Kanazaki, and Motoyama appeared, forming long lines. In the second session, players Shibasaki, Yamamoto, Sogahata, Toyokawa, Endo, Ueda, and Akasaki signed autographs.
Player Motoyama smiling as he shows his business card.
Player Shibasaki signing with a smile.
[NIKE FACTORY STORE]
As a popular NIKE x Kashima Antlers event, following the match against Gamba Osaka the previous day, NIKE products were sold at outlet prices on the second-floor concourse of the main stand. Players also stood at the storefront, collecting donations for the Typhoon No. 18 disaster relief and interacting with participants.
[Food Court]
Various stadium gourmet foods, familiar from home games, were offered. Players, manager, and coaches also appeared, handing out original business cards available only on that day, and interacting with participants through autographs and photo opportunities.
Player Kubota, participating for the first time.
[Closing Ceremony]
At the closing ceremony, player Toyokawa appeared on the pitch singing "Happy Birthday" to celebrate player Nakamura's birthday, which was that day. Player Koizumi, whose birthday was the next day, received the cake in place of Nakamura who was absent due to illness, but player Sato extinguished the candles first, filling the venue with laughter. Finally, Manager Ishii addressed the participants. At one point, he became emotional and teared up, with the stadium
Players Davi and Kanazaki, who appeared after exchanging uniforms.
Player Toyokawa appearing while singing.
Manager Ishii: "Everyone, were you able to interact with the players and staff today? As Mitsuo also mentioned at the beginning, we really wanted to win yesterday's match and welcome today, but I believe that if we can fight like we did in the second half, or like we did in the home match of the Yamazaki Nabisco Cup, we can accumulate points and get closer to winning the championship. We ask for your continued strong support."
"The season has already begun, and our gratitude to you all has been delayed, but thank you very much again for applying for SOCIO membership this season. I believe that many of you have continued your membership since my playing days. We are able to do our best thanks to your cheers. We ask for your continued strong support."
"There are now a dozen or so matches left in the remaining season, including the league matches, the Yamazaki Nabisco Cup, and the Emperor's Cup. All previous Antlers managers have been highly experienced and charismatic, but I don't have those qualities at all. However, I believe my love for Antlers and my trust in the players are stronger than any previous manager. We will unite with the players and do our best in the upcoming matches, carrying your cheers with us, so please continue your support."
