“Now is the time to give back to the ladies who looked after me during my high school days living in a dormitory, to the people in the community who welcomed me warmly, and to my parents who always supported me,” said Yamada Daiki. Yamada, who has been a central player for Jubilo Iwata and has been performing remarkably, talked to us about the charms of his hometown, Shizuoka, as seen through soccer!
Motivation
When I was four years old, my parents encouraged me to join the soccer team at the kindergarten I attended, and that’s how I started playing soccer. From then on, I was devoted to soccer throughout elementary, middle, and high school. The glamorous stage of the J-League. The players from Shizuoka who play for Jubilo and S-Pulse. The soccer passion of Shizuoka people that is growing more and more. Being able to feel it up close was a good stimulus. To be honest, I didn’t pay any attention to anything other than soccer.
Setbacks
From the first to third year of junior high school, there was a period when I couldn’t play in any games. I guess that was the only setback I had. I loved soccer so much that I never thought about quitting. My parents were also very supportive… My father always came to pick me up and encouraged me by saying, “Don’t be a fool. There are people watching you. The important thing is to work hard.”
Thanks
I left my parents and lived in a dormitory for high school. The dorm ladies and locals loved me like they were their own son. I really felt how warm Shizuoka was. I left
Shizuoka for Tokyo for university. What surprised me was the difference in interest in soccer. In Shizuoka, convenience stores stocked soccer magazines as a matter of course, but in Tokyo there wasn’t a single one…that was the first thing that surprised me (laughs). In Shizuoka, even high school students can feel the joy of being cheered on by so many people and the pressure of being watched when they play soccer. I’m grateful to have been born and raised in Shizuoka.
future
Through soccer, I was able to learn the importance of continuing. It’s important to persevere and continue even when things aren’t going well. I’m now living a happy soccer life, but I think it’s because of those difficult times that I’m who I am today. I’m sure that
all the high school students reading this can do something in their own circumstances. First of all, take the time to really face yourself. And then, do everything with all your might. If you keep going, you’ll definitely see the future.
Hiroki Yamada Born
in Hamamatsu City in 1988.
Played for Jubilo Iwata’s youth academy until the junior youth level. Went to Fujieda Higashi High School and Meiji University.
After graduating, he joined Jubilo Iwata. He played an active role as a central player, contributing to victories with his sharp dribbling and passing. In 2012, he became the youngest game captain in the club’s history. He was also called up for the first time to the Japan national team training camp.