FUTURES IN MOTION JAPAN GRANTEE ANNOUNCEMENT
New Balance Foundation and Beyond Sport Announce the Following Recipients of Grants from Futures In Motion – Japan: Chance for All, Knocku and Yamato Sylphid
The three community sport for development organizations will receive grants along with capacity-building support to nurture positive youth development through sport
TOKYO – 2025, October 1 – New Balance Foundation and global sport for social change foundation, Beyond Sport, today announced the Japanese grant recipients of the international “Futures in Motion” program. Three community organizations, Chance for All, Knocku and Yamato Sylphid, will receive an approximate combined YEN 42,648,800 (USD 300,000) over the next three years to enhance their organizational sustainability and programs advancing youth wellbeing, diversity and access, as well as education and career development through inclusive sport and physical activity.
Currently working with organizations in Japan and Australia, Futures in Motion launched in April 2025 to use sport to promote bright futures, while ensuring a focus on the specific cultural and local needs of the respective communities. The initiative targets young people up to age 26 who are typically excluded from sport and the valuable personal development opportunities that come with it. This often results in health challenges and social inequities, which, in Japan, frequently impacts girls and young women, people with disabilities, LGBTQI+ youth, those living in remote areas and young people discouraged by the country’s hyper-competitive school sports system.
“Sport is a powerful catalyst for personal growth and community resilience,” said Megan Bloch, Director of Global Philanthropy, New Balance Foundation. “Through Futures in Motion, we’re proud to expand our global footprint into Japan and support Chance for All, Knocku, and Yamato Sylphid—organizations advancing inclusive sport and empowering youth. This investment reflects our commitment to building a healthier, more equitable world for young people everywhere.”
Chance for All operates after-school care for elementary school children, play-centered programs and community spaces run by university students that nurture children’s fundamental motor, social and life skills, as well as their physical abilities.
This grant will support the expansion of their “Play Cars” initiative which operates nationally through the Japan Children’s Support Team (J-CST) consortium. Facilitated by trained “Play Leaders,” these mobile play areas provide free, recreational play spaces for all children, and particularly tailored to the needs of urban centers and low-income communities. During times of disaster, Play Cars offer a flexible and responsive solution for those living in affected areas.
Knocku is an emerging organization building a society where youth with and without disabilities can enjoy sports together. As there are few community facilities where this can happen, they seek to create an enriching national para-sports model. Using sport and other activities, they address mental and physical health, while also supporting young people with disabilities to create and reach goals that are important to them.
This grant will help strengthen the organization’s inclusive community handball club. The goal is to provide consistent programming for young people with physical disabilities and those in special needs schools who have limited opportunities for physical education and to live independent lives.
The nonprofit arm of women’s football club Yamato Sylphid is fostering an environment where children, including more girls, can develop life skills. Their "learning by teaching" approach supports personal growth and provides young women with experiences to enhance their careers and break out from traditional gender roles.
This grant will help grow their “Girls in Motion” empowerment program which is inspiring and equipping the next generation of young leaders through sport. Through football and play-based learning, the program builds self-esteem, confidence and a spirit of challenge in elementary school children. A key aspect is the incorporation of Club players who serve as facilitators and role models, while also strengthening their own leadership skills.
“Beyond Sport is thrilled to deepen our engagement in Asia, while simultaneously learning more about local needs and how best to meet them. Chance for All, Knocku and Yamato Sylphid are doing exemplary sport for development work in Japan, and we are proud to support their efforts,” saidFred Fikouhi-Turner, Executive Director of Beyond Sport. “The positive impact that sport and physical activity can have in communities, particularly on youth development, is immense and we look forward to making an impact.”
The Futures in Motion program was developed and operates in close collaboration with in-country consultants, advisory groups and subject matter experts to ensure cultural and local relevancy. By 2027, the program looks to be active in seven locations, helping to strengthen community organizations, ensure their long-term sustainability and equip young leaders to drive change.
To learn more, visit beyondsport.org/futures-in-motion.
PRESS CONTACTS:
Karen Asare, Beyond Sport,press@beyondsport.org
Jacqueline Boas, New Balance Foundation,jacqueline.boas@newbalance.com
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About New Balance Foundation
Since 1981, New Balance Foundation has invested in proven pathways to help young people achieve their goals. Grantmaking focuses on community-led, outcomes-driven initiatives that promote access to sport, educational support, career readiness and overall well-being. They have granted over $150 million to date to trailblazing non-profits across the globe. This includes more than $12 million in donations to 90 non-profits in 2024 alone. www.newbalancefoundation.org
About Beyond Sport
Beyond Sport is a global foundation that uses sport’s unique power to address the most critical social issues of our time. By championing people, programs and communities that are leveraging physical activity to build opportunity and equity, they are working to create a more inclusive and progressive world.Since 2008, Beyond Sport has raised over USD $24.5 million to promote social change through sport. To date, the foundation has granted over $14.3 million to organizations across 80 countries and 58 sports in addition to capacity-building support to create sustainable, long-term impact. beyondsport.org