Okayama University Tennis Club Launches Crowdfunding Campaign for Competition Costs

Okayama University Tennis Club’s Fundraising Initiative

The Okayama University School of Medicine Tennis Club, based in Okayama City under the leadership of President Yasutomo Nasu, has recently embarked on a crowdfunding campaign to support its student athletes in the face of financial challenges. The team is comprised of 36 male players, including seven managers, and 22 female athletes, totaling 58 members. This initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden on students as they prepare for an upcoming competition in September 2025.

Aiming for Excellence

Members of the tennis club range from those who have competed since childhood to students who are new to the sport at the university level. Each athlete has their own personal goals, whether it’s participating in tournaments or improving their tennis skills. Collectively, the team is focused on the dual objectives of enjoying their university life and achieving victories in matches. However, this year's results from the Chugoku-Shikoku competition were disappointing, prompting the club to ramp up its efforts to surpass the outstanding records set by previous generations in the Western Medical Athletic Association and Western Medical Games.

With several fresh recruits joining the team, the veterans aim to inspire the newcomers to work hard, not just towards personal goals but as a unified team. The club places great importance on teamwork, striving for progress across all levels, including both regular and irregular team members.

The Financial Challenge ahead

This year, the Western Medical Students Comprehensive Sports Festival (西医体) is set to take place in Kagoshima, and the anticipated expenses are significant—approximately 100,000 yen per club member. This led the team to seek external support through crowdfunding, hoping to cover a portion of this cost. The goal of the crowdfunding campaign is to raise 600,000 yen by the end of August 2025, which would allow them to subsidize each member's travel expenses by 10,000 yen. Any excess funds raised will be utilized for club activities.

The team is optimistic that with community support, they will be able to balance costs and give their athletes the opportunity to compete at a high level without the stress of financial constraints. Every contribution, however big or small, makes a difference.

How to Support the Campaign

For those interested in supporting the Okayama University School of Medicine Tennis Club, more information can be found on their crowdfunding page. The initiative, titled "Buhi Katsu," outlines their fundraising efforts and describes how contributions will directly benefit student-athletes. Donations can be made until August 31, 2025, further providing an avenue for community engagement.

Links to More Information:

The Okayama University Tennis Club proudly represents their institution, and through this campaign, they hope to foster a strong sense of community while also achieving athletic excellence. Your support could help turn their dreams and aspirations into reality!

The club’s commitment to excellence in sports and education underscores their belief in the power of teamwork and perseverance. Join them in their journey on the court and in the classroom.

Together, let's contribute to building the next generation of athletes at Okayama University!