Continuing a tradition that began all the way back in 2014, NorCal Premier Soccer’s Player Development Program is set to welcome teams from the Japanese Football Association’s Girls Sakai Academy for a pair of friendlies this month.

The U15 girls PDP South Selection plays first on Thursday February 8th at 6pm, while the PDP North Selection take on the JFA on Saturday February 10th with a 10am kick off. Both games will take place at Fallon Sports park in Dublin.

The event typically features a full-length match open to the public followed by a get together between the two players in something of a cultural exchange.

“The way I look at it now is that NorCal Premier has almost been like a partner to the JFA,” said NorCal PDP Coach and trip coordinator Jovan Yamagishi. “We’re always looking forward to seeing each other and at the same time we have a lot of girls who end up on youth national teams that unite with some of our PDP girls who end up facing them in international matches.”

The idea for the partnership began more than 10 years ago when Yamagishi and another NorCal employee visited Japan and met with staff at the JFA Sakai facility, which is one of five national training centers in the country.

Since then, the JFA has sent a team almost every year and in 2014, NorCal’s PDP girls went on a trip to Japan to play against some of the top youth sides in the country.

For players, coaches, and parents alike, these events have provided a fun atmosphere and a chance to learn about fellow lovers of the beautiful game.

PDP assistant director Justin Selander added, “We want to get as many people to come out to watch the game, but also to observe the purpose of it because soccer is such a global game. We as a country can do a better job of celebrating the global game rather than just making it our game.”

“There are moments where we need to think of our opponents as rivals but there are other moments where we need to think of them as peers, we need to think of one another” he added. “I would love to invite any coaches, directors, players, and parents from other clubs to come out and watch this celebration of soccer.”

Rosters For Both Games Can Be Found Below:

NorCal Premier U15 State South Roster