Japanese Women's University Cheerleading Team GRINS Launches Crowdfunding to Compete Globally

Supporting the Journey of GRINS: A Unique Crowdfunding Campaign

On April 20, 2023, the Japanese Women's University Cheerleading Team GRINS kick-started their crowdfunding project titled "Two Minutes of Heart: Aiming for the World's Top Team" through Spportunity, a sports-focused crowdfunding platform. The initiative aims to help the team tackle rising travel costs amidst the economic challenges this year.

The Story Behind the Campaign

Founded in 2007 as a small circle, GRINS has blossomed into a vibrant team comprising over 70 members over the past 18 years. This growth reflects not only dedication but also a passion for promoting a relatively unknown sport in Japan known as song leading, a form of cheer dance. The team's goal is to showcase the enchanting aspects of their performances while representing Japan on the international stage. The members hold a deep desire to create an environment where they can continue challenging themselves globally and make the GRINS name well-known.

In recent years, GRINS has matured into a team capable of being nominated for the world championships. However, 2023 has presented unprecedented challenges, including soaring costs related to travel and currency fluctuations, which have significantly impacted team finances. This prompted the alumni to raise their voices in support, leading to the decision to launch their first crowdfunding campaign.

Crowdfunding Project Overview

The campaign is set to run from April 20, 2025, at 9:00 AM until May 31, 2025, at 23:59 PM, with an ambitious fundraising target of 1,000,000 JPY. This amount is crucial for several purposes:
- Travel Expenses: In total, the entire team requires over 17,000,000 JPY due to increased living costs and foreign exchange rates.
- Operational Funds: Additionally, the funds will support training camps, which have resumed after six years due to the pandemic, as well as sports trainer fees, costume expenses, and shoe costs, all of which the players currently bear themselves.

Every contribution towards the crowdfunding initiative will directly benefit the team's operational costs, enabling them to continue their quest for excellence on a global scale.

Special Rewards for Supporters

Supporters of the campaign will have the opportunity to receive exclusive rewards, including:
1. GRINS Original Merchandise Set: Tote bags, hair scrunchies in team colors, mini-towels, and stickers.
2. Customized Thank You Ribbon: Featuring the supporter’s name, a mini pom-keychain, GRINS original goods, and a letter from the current team members.
3. Original DECO Chocolate Set: With three different GRINS designs, including logo and uniforms, containing 15 pieces alongside a gratitude card from the team.
4. GRINS Uniform-Shaped Mobile Battery: Complete with a thank-you letter from the current members.

Support Provided by Spportunity

Spportunity is dedicated to empowering sports teams, whether professional, semi-professional, or student-based, through simple and effective crowdfunding solutions. Unlike many platforms that provide only the framework, Spportunity’s unique offering includes personalized support for project planning, reward structuring, promotional content curation, registration, and marketing assistance. They provide free coverage to participating teams, helping them raise awareness and funds through quality media articles. For additional information, interested parties can visit Spportunity's official site.

Partnering with Storytelling Initiatives

Furthermore, Spportunity is on the lookout for partnerships to enrich their column series which aims to spotlight lesser-known sports, teams, and athletes while sharing their stories and commitment. Organizations interested in collaboration can reach out via info@spportunity.co.jp.

About Japanese Women's University Cheerleading Team

The GRINS team has been a pillar of the Japanese Women's University since its inception and continues to inspire athletes across the nation. For further details, check their official Instagram page or the support group website.

In conclusion, the GRINS team represents the spirit of resilience and ambition. They are committed to not only showcasing the art of cheerleading but also fostering a sense of community and support through their crowdfunding campaign. Join them on their journey by contributing today and help make their dream of competing on a global stage a reality!