For children and adults alike.
Creating safe spaces to take on challenges
throughout the community.
A practitioner transforming Hamamatsu into a city where more people take on challenges, working across sports, education, and community development.
* Even rough ideas are welcome. Please feel free to contact us.
Current Roles
Shoya Shimazawa
SHOYA SHIMAZAWA
Born in 1994 in Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka Prefecture. Graduated from Hamamatsu Technical High School.
From his own soccer experience, he pursued the path of a "coach" and became a coach for FC Yuto at age 18. While working with children in the field, he deeply felt the importance of not only sports instruction but also character development and career education.
In 2020, he established Grow Up Academy as a general incorporated association. He introduced "biima sports" and serves as principal of 4 schools in Hamamatsu City, engaging in early childhood education.
"I'm still on my journey, but I'm committed to creating a stage where everyone can shine, from Hamamatsu to the world."
CURRENT ROLES
- Grow Up Group CEO
- Grow Up Academy President
- Shizuoka Connect Special Advisor
- Shizuoka Digital Twin Association Vice Chairman
メディア掲載実績
Three Sports Organizations Form Group for Regional Revitalization in Hamamatsu
中日新聞
Shizuoka Connect: A Stage for Students in the Community
中日新聞
Promoting Coexistence Through Cricket in Hamamatsu
毎日新聞
Promoting Coexistence Through Cricket
中部経済新聞
Building an Attractive City Through Cricket Promotion
中日新聞
Shizuoka People Interview: Working on Cricket Promotion and Multicultural Coexistence
静岡新聞
Cricket Promotes Coexistence in Hamamatsu (Kyodo News)
共同通信（14紙配信）
India Hamamatsu Festival: Mutual Understanding Through Food and Culture
静岡新聞
Appeared on Morning Rajira as Cricket Promotion Master
K-mix（静岡エフエム放送）
Solamo Sports Festival in Downtown Hamamatsu
静岡新聞
India Hamamatsu Festival 2025: Parade and Cricket Experience
LOOK 静岡朝日テレビ
Agreement with Japan Cricket Association for Promotion in Western Shizuoka
中日新聞
Hamamatsu Organization and Japan Association Sign Cricket Promotion Agreement
静岡新聞
Spreading Cricket to Make Hamamatsu Attractive to Indian Talent
静岡新聞
Children Experience Cricket in Hamamatsu
中日新聞
Good Morning: 'Conveying Possibilities' Shoya Shimazawa
中日新聞
Private Volunteers Launch Cricket Hub in Hamamatsu with City Partnership
日本経済新聞
Promoting Cricket in Hamamatsu: Association Representatives Introduce Its Appeal
中日新聞
FACE: Shoya Shimazawa
建通新聞
| Date | Type | Media | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026.01.18 | 📰 Newspaper | 中日新聞 | Three Sports Organizations Form Group for Regional Revitalization in Hamamatsu |
| 2025.12.01 | 📰 Newspaper | 中日新聞 | Shizuoka Connect: A Stage for Students in the Community |
| 2025.11.30 | 📰 Newspaper | 毎日新聞 | Promoting Coexistence Through Cricket in Hamamatsu |
| 2025.11.25 | 📰 Newspaper | 中部経済新聞 | Promoting Coexistence Through Cricket |
| 2025.11.22 | 📰 Newspaper | 中日新聞 | Building an Attractive City Through Cricket Promotion |
| 2025.11.21 | 📰 Newspaper | 静岡新聞 | Shizuoka People Interview: Working on Cricket Promotion and Multicultural Coexistence |
| 2025.11.21 | 📰 Newspaper | 共同通信（14紙配信） | Cricket Promotes Coexistence in Hamamatsu (Kyodo News) |
| 2025.11.04 | 📰 Newspaper | 静岡新聞 | India Hamamatsu Festival: Mutual Understanding Through Food and Culture |
| 2025.10.01 | 🎙️ Radio | K-mix（静岡エフエム放送） | Appeared on Morning Rajira as Cricket Promotion Master |
| 2025.09.14 | 📰 Newspaper | 静岡新聞 | Solamo Sports Festival in Downtown Hamamatsu |
| 2025.09.11 | 🌐 Web | LOOK 静岡朝日テレビ | India Hamamatsu Festival 2025: Parade and Cricket Experience |
| 2025.08.20 | 📰 Newspaper | 中日新聞 | Agreement with Japan Cricket Association for Promotion in Western Shizuoka |
| 2025.08.19 | 📰 Newspaper | 静岡新聞 | Hamamatsu Organization and Japan Association Sign Cricket Promotion Agreement |
| 2025.05.18 | 📰 Newspaper | 静岡新聞 | Spreading Cricket to Make Hamamatsu Attractive to Indian Talent |
| 2025.05.11 | 📰 Newspaper | 中日新聞 | Children Experience Cricket in Hamamatsu |
| 2025.04.24 | 📰 Newspaper | 中日新聞 | Good Morning: 'Conveying Possibilities' Shoya Shimazawa |
| 2025.03.04 | 📰 Newspaper | 日本経済新聞 | Private Volunteers Launch Cricket Hub in Hamamatsu with City Partnership |
| 2025.03.01 | 📰 Newspaper | 中日新聞 | Promoting Cricket in Hamamatsu: Association Representatives Introduce Its Appeal |
| 2025.01.21 | 📰 Newspaper | 建通新聞 | FACE: Shoya Shimazawa |
Years in Education & Community Work
12+ years
Children & Youth Impacted
3,500+
Groups Managed/Involved
17+
Grow Up / biima / Rendir / Digital Twin Assoc. etc.
Rather than teaching the "right answer", I want to be an adult who provides "options".
The Origin of My Belief
When I started my career as a soccer coach at 18, I thought my job was to "teach skills". However, while working with children, I faced a certain reality.
"A child who isn't good at soccer but is excellent at bringing the team together." "A child who struggles with practice but excels at analysis and strategy." They were only recognized when they scored goals. Other talents were often overlooked in the sports field at that time.
It's not that they lack ability—
Perhaps they just haven't found "the right role" or "an environment where they can shine".
From that moment, my role shifted from "coaching" to "creating environments".
Creating spaces that don't blame those who struggle
We foster challenges by accepting failure and ensuring psychological safety.
Team building where everyone has a role
The ace isn't the only star. We practice organizational theory that values diverse personalities.
A "hub" connecting community, business, and schools
Connecting the dots to create a cycle where the entire community raises children.
Speaking & Programs
Shimazawa himself or our specialized team will visit according to your needs.
Building Children's Self-Esteem: Turning "I Can't" into "I Did It"
Learn how to develop children's "non-cognitive abilities" from biima sports' science-based practices. We'll discuss how to nurture hearts that take on challenges without fear of failure.
Typical Settings:PTA lectures / Community courses
Target Audience:Parents / Teachers / Childcare supporters
Strengthening Organizations with "Sportsmanship Management"
Applying soccer team management methods to business. The secrets of team building that maximizes individual strengths and creates autonomous teams. Management theory that leverages diverse talent.
Typical Settings:Corporate training / Executive seminars
Target Audience:Executives / Managers / Leaders
Multicultural Coexistence and Community Development: Sports Connecting Communities
Based on cricket exchanges in Hamamatsu City and the student collaboration project "Shizuoka Connect", we propose new ways to build community.
Typical Settings:Local government staff training / Community development symposiums
Target Audience:Government staff / NPOs / Students
Not just "one-time" but "ongoing" relationships
Beyond single lectures or training sessions, we can also engage as ongoing partners such as team management advisors or consultants.
- ● Participation in team/organization management (Remote locations OK)
- ● Community/project management
- ● Curriculum development & leader training
* Fields other than sports (business, government, education, etc.) are also welcome
Partnership with Grow Up Group
Depending on your budget and scale, we can propose comprehensive support not only from Shimazawa himself but also from the Grow Up Group's specialized staff team.
Nationwide travel & extended stays availablePast Examples
Here are some examples of projects we've been commissioned for.
Case Study
For High School Seniors
'Cricket x Multicultural Understanding' Class
Consultation (Aim of Organizer)
Create an opportunity for seniors to touch 'the world outside the classroom' and 'diverse values'. A class to feel international understanding through experience, not just lectures.
Before: Challenges felt by teachers
- ● Classes tended to be passive with video viewing and lectures.
- ● Only some motivated students spoke up, others just listened.
- ● Few opportunities for natural interaction with students of foreign roots.
After: Changes seen after class
- ● Even students not good at sports found their roles and participated.
- ● Quiet students were seen giving opinions in strategy meetings.
- ● Students with foreign roots naturally expanded conversations with classmates.
Program Overview (50 min)
Input via slides, videos, and demonstration.
Everyone touches real equipment and learns rules.
Touching real bats and balls and understanding rules in a short time led to student confidence and understanding.
Voices of Participants & Teachers
"International understanding class became a time for students to learn while interacting, not just listening." ― Teacher in charge
"I didn't know the sport, but it was fun and I got interested in various cultures." ― Student survey
Business
The origins of my work—continuing to act in the local "field".
Grow Up Group →
A group creating a stage where everyone can shine, from local to global, focusing on education, sports, and community development.
Grow Up Academy →
Core of education & HR development. Nurturing children's minds and bodies through 'biima sports' and food education.
Rendir Hamamatsu →
An adult soccer team based in Hamamatsu. Contributing to regional community building through sports.
Shizuoka Connect →
Platform connecting students and local companies. Supporting youth career development and corporate recruitment.
Shizuoka Digital Twin Association →
An association promoting regional problem-solving and industrial development in Shizuoka through 3D city models and digital technology. Serving as Vice Chairman.
— Shimazawa's Stance —
You don't have to try to handle everything alone. There are people in your community who want to help you.
Please use me
"Can I ask for something like this?" is perfectly fine. Please feel free to consult with us first. Let's think together.