Pacific Rim Cup Hosts Special Youth Soccer Clinic with Former Japan National Team Star Takuya Yamada in Oahu

WHAT:  
The Pacific Rim Cup Powered by MIXI, Inc. returns to Hawaii this summer with a one-of-a-kind soccer experience for kids aged 4–14. On Saturday, July 19, Japanese soccer legend Takuya Yamada will lead a special youth clinic at the Waipio Soccer Complex, offering a hands-on training session inspired by his professional journey in Japan and the United States.
This free-flowing and engaging clinic is part of Pacific Rim Cup’s mission to provide world-class soccer education and foster cross-cultural connections, while working toward its long-term vision of bringing professional soccer back to Hawaii.
Website: https://pacificrimcup.com/prc2025

WHEN:  
Saturday, July 19, 2025  
8:00 PM – 10:00 AM  
  
WHERE:
Waipio Soccer Complex
93-061 Waipio Point Access Rd, Waipahu, HI 96797

ABOUT THE PACIFIC RIM CUP:

The Pacific Rim Cup has a proud history in Hawaii. In 2018 and 2019, the tournament featured professional matches with teams from MLS (Major League Soccer) and the J.League (Japanese Professional Soccer League) at Aloha Stadium. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the stadium’s closure, these professional games had to be paused. Since 2022, Blue United Corporation — the event organizer — has been dedicated to keeping the PRC spirit alive by organizing youth soccer clinics for Hawaii’s keiki, with the ultimate goal of bringing professional soccer back in 2029.

ABOUT TAKUYA YAMADA

Born in Tokyo in 1974. Former Japanese national soccer player. After graduating from Komazawa University, he joined the J.League side Verdy Kawasaki. He served as captain and played for three more teams – Cerezo Osaka, Yokohama FC, and Sagan Tosu – before signing with Tampa Bay Rowdies in the US for 5 seasons.

He was invited back to Japan by the legendary coach Takeshi Okada, the only Japanese to coach the National Team in two FIFA World Cups (1998 and 2010), to join FC Imabari. He played until the age of 43, scoring 39 goals in 562 games in Japan and the United States, and captaining three teams, demonstrating his leadership.

Following his retirement from playing, he joined Nike Japan as the Football Manager in Sports Marketing, where he studied the industry from a business perspective. He is keeping himself busy, deepening his study of the industry to increase the value of football.