GAMBA OSAKA will be participating in the "TEAMMATES" project, operated by the certified NPO Being ALIVE Japan (Setagaya-ku, Tokyo; Chairperson: Hanako Kitano), which supports the independence of children requiring long-term treatment and helps create a community. The TEAMMATES project allows children undergoing long-term treatment to join a sports team as a member and participate in team activities such as regular practices and matches.
We are seeking one child as described below.

◆Organizing body
Being ALIVE Japan, a certified NPO

◆Implementing Team
GAMBA OSAKA(J.League)

◆Membership period
Planned duration: November 2026 to June 2028 (approximately 1.5 years)

◆ Activity location
Panasonic Stadium Suita (3-3 Banpaku Koen, Suita City)

◆Capacity
1 person

◆Participation fee
3,000 yen (tax included)

◆Recruitment conditions
(1) Children aged 5-15 (elementary and junior high school students) who have been receiving long-term treatment or recuperation for an illness for more than one year.
(2) Children who can participate with the permission of their primary physician
(3) Children who are able to communicate through conversation

◆Regarding participation in the activities
Your child will be welcomed as an official member of the team and will participate in activities. Just like the other players, your child's photos, videos, and name will be published on the team's and the organizing body's official website, social media, newspapers, television, and other media outlets when they participate in activities.
The filming and interviews will focus on the children participating in the activities as part of the team and the team's efforts, and will not be about the children's illnesses. (Regarding the name of the illness, other information, etc., the organizing body will respectfully respond and support the request of the child and their family.)

◆ How to apply
Please apply using the application form below during the application period.

◆Application period
Wednesday, August 5, 2026 17:00 - Saturday, August 15, 2026 17:00

*Applications are accepted online only.
(For telephone inquiries, please contact the office at 03-6432-3068.)

If there are multiple applications, the children who will "join" will be selected by professionals involved in pediatric medical care.

Currently, priority will be given to children who are unable to participate in sports activities, such as school physical education, sports teams, classes, or sports club activities, due to illness or treatment, or children who have limited opportunities for activities or going out. We ask for your understanding and cooperation.

What is TEAMMATES?

The TEAMMATES program is a program developed by the certified NPO Being ALIVE Japan, based on the program of the US non-profit organization Team IMPACT (a matching program between university sports teams and children with chronic illnesses). Children join the team as members of the team, and regularly participate in team activities such as attending practices and supporting at game venues, building relationships with team members. Through connections and experiences with teams, we support the process of children returning to school after long-term hospitalization, provide physical, psychological, and social support for children requiring long-term treatment and care, and help create communities within local areas that support children and their families undergoing long-term care.
We launched our business in November 2017 and have been working with professional baseball teams, J.League and B.League professional sports clubs, and university sports teams. As of July 2026, we have achieved participation from 18 teams and 39 children.

About Certified NPO Being ALIVE Japan
The organization was established in April 2015 and became a certified non-profit organization in 2016. With the mission of enabling children to have the best possible childhood and youth while undergoing treatment, we collaborate with athletes, sports teams, and companies to support the independence of children requiring long-term treatment and recuperation for intractable diseases and chronic illnesses, and to increase the number of "TEAMMATES" in the community who support and encourage these children and their families. To date, we have planned and operated sports activities for children undergoing long-term treatment in hospitals and communities, including providing sports activities for hospitalized children, organizing sports team enrollment programs, and holding sports camps. Through our activities, we support discharge and return to school, and help children develop the strength to live with their illnesses and build friendships. Just as there are medical teams that cure illnesses, we aim to create a treatment life where every child has a team to create a "youthful experience with friends."

■ Inquiries about our activities:
For details about our activities, please check the website below.
For inquiries about TEAMMATES' activities, please contact the certified NPO Being ALIVE Japan.

[TEL] 03-6432-3068
[Email] info@beingalivejapan.org (Contact: Kitano)
[Homepage] http://www.beingalivejapan.org/teammates