Interview with Kurashiki Ablaze Head Coach Hideo Suzuki
Kurashiki Ablaze is set to join the V.League, and is expected to make a strong showing.
We spoke with Hideo Suzuki, the head coach who created Kurashiki's first women's professional volleyball team.
How Kurashiki Ablaze came to be
What made you decide to start a volleyball team in Kurashiki?
Suzuki (honorific omitted)
I quit playing volleyball and moved from Nara to Kurashiki, but I still loved volleyball even while working, so I taught it to children.
As I had more opportunities to coach students, I met many players and thought, “This player has room to grow,” or “This player has great potential.”
When I asked them, “What will you do after you graduate?” I often heard things like, “I have to quit because my family is struggling financially,” or “I have to quit because there’s nowhere to play volleyball while working.”
Then I asked the students, “What would you think if I started a team?” They earnestly replied, “That would mean so much. We really want you to do it.”
Establishing a volleyball team
I see. Was that when you decided to start a team?
Suzuki
I had always wanted to start a team. I tried starting an adult club team, coached a women's volleyball team, and gained experience in various ways.
When I made up my mind to start a professional team, I considered what was most necessary to build a team.
We needed a gym to practice in.
This is true of every team: they struggle to secure available time slots to rent school or city gyms.
I knew the situation well, so I decided that the first thing we needed was a place for the team to practice. In 2018, we built a dedicated gym for the team in Nansei, Mizushima.
The team is finally formed
Building a gym is quite an achievement. Did you recruit players after that?
Suzuki
Yes. We held tryouts and accepted seven players.
Whenever I heard about a good player, I traveled around the country to introduce myself and scout them.
After that, we trained hard and, during our corporate team days, placed third nationally and became champions of western Japan.
After meeting various requirements, we obtained an S3 license and were able to join the V.League, the highest level of professional volleyball, which had been our dream.
Community service activities
I see. You overcame tremendous hardships to make your dream come true. It seems that you are now focusing on community service activities.
Suzuki
We are a team that has only just gotten started.
First, we want people in the community to learn about our team.
People won't take an interest unless the players feel familiar to them.
We interact with people in the community, let them get to know the players as individuals, and hope they become fans.
We hope to become a team and players who are loved by the local community.
Service activities in the Philippines
I heard that you are also active in the Philippines, and that Kurashiki Ablaze has many fans there.
Suzuki
After I coached at a school in the Philippines, we were invited to play in a match in the country's top league.
Kurashiki Ablaze miraculously won that match, and I think that helped us gain more fans.
Wanting to show our gratitude for the victory, we went to Smokey Mountain, a poor area in the Philippines, and gave children snacks and school supplies.
Even local people don't go there, so perhaps people were surprised and praised us.
But we simply wanted to express our gratitude sincerely. We hope to keep visiting the area and volunteering.
What is Smokey Mountain?
One of the poor areas in Manila, Philippines. People collect waste from the mountains of garbage and make a living through recycling and other means. Many children live in poverty and do not get enough to eat.
Future goals
Do you have any plans or goals for the future?
Suzuki
The V.League organization will transition to a new league next year (2024).
Of course, we will remain in the V.League after the change, and our goal is to win the league.
We will also take on various other tournaments, including the National Sports Festival and competitions in the Philippines, and continue to compete as a team representing Kurashiki.
We will also have home games in Kurashiki, and we hope many people will come to watch, learn about Kurashiki, and make us a team they can cheer on.
To achieve that, we will actively participate in community activities, help people get to know the team and players, and share our passion. With everyone's support, we hope to win the league.
From the Writer
When bringing players onto the team, Suzuki said that his first concern was not to worry their parents.
He hired them as employees at his company and created a system that allowed them to continue playing volleyball while also gaining the skills to succeed as working adults, providing their parents with peace of mind.
He also provided a dormitory for the players and, knowing that they might not eat properly if living alone, provides nutritious dinners.
Because he puts the players first and is thorough in creating an environment where they can focus on volleyball, they are able to endure tough training and win.
“I want all the children in the community—not just a select few—to fall in love with volleyball and become stronger.”
Suzuki says.
Kurashiki's first women's professional volleyball team will surely become a team that gives courage and inspiration to children who want to pursue sports.
Through this interview, I also learned more about Kurashiki Ablaze, met an appealing team and its players, and was energized by them.
As a Kurashiki resident, I will continue to support Kurashiki Ablaze.
Kurashiki Ablaze data
| Organization name | Kurashiki Ablaze |
|---|---|
| Industry | Professional volleyball team |
| Representative | Hideo Suzuki |
| Year established | 2019 |
| Address | 2-23-1 Nansei, Kurashiki City |
| Contact | 086-455-5500 |
| Website | Kurashiki Ablaze |
What would you like to know about Kurashiki?
Enter a word to search articles on this site
