This week Football Tasmania is excited to welcome Football players from Hobart's sister city, Yaizu. Players from the Yaizu Training Center in the Shizuoka Prefecture will undertake several matches in Tasmania as part of the Japan-Australia soccer exchange project.
The Junior high school students will usually spend 3-4 nights each week training and will play in gala days every 4-5 weeks across Japan.
Last night the Japanese Under 13/14 and Under 14/15 teams played two matches against the Glenorchy Knights Football Club. Tonight they play against participants in Football Tasmania's TSP program, and tomorrow they take on Clarence Zebras at Wentworth Park.
The players have spent several days in Sydney sightseeing before visiting Hobart where they have been sightseeing in between matches, today visiting Bonorong Wildlife Sancturary and the Doone Kennedy Hobart Aquatic Centre.
FUKUYO Yoshiharu, Technical Commissioner for the Shizuoka Prefecture Football Association, says they have left an extremely hot Japan to brace the Tasmanian cold weather but are enjoying their time in Australia.
Full schedule
Tuesday 22 August
Under 13/14 - 4:15pm, KGV
Under 14/15 - 5:30pm, KGV
Wednesday 23 August
Under 13/14 (Hobart TSP Group) - 4:15pm, KGV
Under 14 (combined Statewide group) - 5:30pm, KGV
Thursday 24 August
Under 13/14 - 4:15pm, Wentworth Park
Under 15 - 5:30pm, Wentworth Park
Photos - Lisa Creese / Glenorchy Knights