Ryosuke Itomi
Ryosuke Itomi is a former distance runner from Japan who has transformed his sporting career into international leadership roles. He served as the national distance head coach in Vanuatu, where he delivered the Kids Athletics programme nationwide, reaching even the most remote islands. With a Master’s degree in Development, Ryosuke believes that community-led sport can strengthen social cohesion, address loneliness and unlock new opportunities for young people. He is now focused on creating safe, inclusive and sustainable grassroots sporting environments in Japan and beyond, harnessing the power of sport as a driver of community development.
Tamari Hub addresses the urgent need for safeguarding education and sustainability within Japan’s community sport system. For decades, junior high school sport clubs, run by overworked teachers without formal training, provided the backbone of youth sport. While these clubs fostered participation, they also created environments vulnerable to harassment, misconduct and burnout.
As Japan transitions toward a community-based sport club model, Tamari Hub offers a solution: financially sustainable community sport associations with safeguarding education integrated for coaches and trainers. The project supports municipalities with tools for funding, logistics and coach education, ensuring safe, inclusive and professional grassroots structures. By embedding safeguarding practices, Tamari Hub reduces risks, fosters stronger community bonds, and creates an ecosystem where young people can thrive through sport in safe and supportive environments.
SDGs
