In an exciting new initiative, Tochigi Soccer Club (Tochigi SC) and SE Plus, an IT education company, have collaborated to produce original merchandise designed by the players themselves. The goods will be available for sale at the upcoming Meiji Yasuda J3 League match against Fukushima United FC, set to take place on October 12, 2025, at Kanasuki Stadium Tochigi.
This collaboration marks the fourth phase of SE Plus's partnership with Tochigi SC, where the focus has been on enhancing IT skills among club staff and improving players' IT literacy. Since 2021, SE Plus has supported various IT learning initiatives for the players. Popular activities included learning support for Takashi Yano's IT passport exam and hands-on workshops centered around AI game development. The latest venture introduced a design course utilizing Adobe Illustrator, where selected players created their merchandise designs.
Design Course Insights
The design workshop featured participation from players Takashi Yano, Kōhei Hiramatsu, and Hiroshi Ōmori. The aim was to collaboratively foster excitement among Tochigi SC supporters while giving players the opportunity to express their creativity. The process of designing the merchandise has been documented on YouTube, providing fans an inside look at how the goods were created.
Watch Part 1 and
Part 2 to see the players in action.
Merchandise Highlights
- - Takashi Yano's Design: A commemorative T-shirt celebrating Yano's 600 matches in the J-League. Available in sizes M, L, and XL for a retail price of ¥4,950. Yano expressed his excitement saying, "This design evolved through numerous iterations, making it deeply personal. I hope everyone enjoys it!"
- - Kōhei Hiramatsu's Design: An original Tochigi SC logo T-shirt, also priced at ¥4,950 and available in the same sizes. Hiramatsu noted, "I aimed for a simple yet expressive design that reflects my love for the team. I look forward to seeing fans wearing it in various settings!"
- - Hiroshi Ōmori's Design: Two unique products: a T-shirt featuring his family's toy poodle, priced at ¥4,950, and a tote bag for ¥2,530, perfect for daily use. Ōmori shared, "Drawing inspiration from my toy poodle, I aimed to create items that are wonderful for both the stadium and everyday life!"
Event Details
The merchandise will be sold starting from 11:00 AM on October 12, 2025, at the A Gate goods shop in Kanasuki Stadium Tochigi, coinciding with Tochigi SC's match against Fukushima United FC.
SE Plus's Division Manager, Yūkō Yamada, expressed enthusiasm for this partnership reiterating that it has been highly successful. By implementing the design course, they aim not only to educate but to hand over tangible products to fans, further enriching the bond between players and supporters. Each item reflects the players' dedication and personal touch, making them a unique addition to any fan's collection.
With titles linked to their contributions and the enjoyment of fans alike, the original merchandise from Tochigi SC players is set to be a celebrated highlight at the match!