Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights Launch First Team Crowdfunding to Improve Viewing Environment and Support Deaf Rugby - Toward a Kumagaya Where Anyone Can Enjoy Rugby with Anyone
Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights started a crowdfunding campaign to improve Kumagaya stadium's accessibility and support deaf rugby.
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- 📰 Published: April 24, 2026 at 00:00
- 🔍 Collected: April 23, 2026 at 15:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: April 23, 2026 at 17:34 (2h 2m after Collected)
The rugby team 'Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights,' operated by Panasonic Sports Co., Ltd., aims for a Kumagaya where anyone, regardless of disability or age, can share the enthusiasm of rugby with anyone else. As part of this initiative, the team will launch its first crowdfunding campaign starting at 12:00 on Friday, April 24. Together with fans and the local community, the campaign aims to improve the viewing environment, disseminate information, and support deaf rugby.
Our team embraces the vision, 'Toward a Kumagaya where anyone can enjoy rugby with anyone.' This project aims to create an environment where more people can share the appeal of rugby in the city of Kumagaya, including those who have never had the opportunity to experience rugby or those who were hesitant to visit the stadium. It is a co-creation initiative nurtured alongside the local community to foster a future where everyone can enjoy being a member of a Rugby Town.
Under the two themes of 'Creating enthusiasm for spectators' and 'Creating enthusiasm for players,' this project will primarily advance the following initiatives:
1. Creating Enthusiasm for Spectators
To ensure that first-time spectators and those anxious about mobility or facilities can visit with peace of mind, we will create a barrier-free map around the Kumagaya Sports Culture Park. Concurrently, we will improve the viewing environment so that more people can comfortably enjoy matches and share the excitement of rugby together at the stadium.
2. Creating Enthusiasm for Players
Through supporting deaf rugby, we will deliver the diverse appeal and possibilities of rugby to more people. We will back the challenges of those involved in the sport while fostering a broader community where people of various backgrounds can connect and support each other through rugby.
The funds raised will be utilized to advance the above initiatives and help create an environment where everyone can enjoy being part of the Rugby Town Kumagaya. We will regularly update the project page with information on how the funds are used and the progress of the initiatives.
■ Crowdfunding Overview
- Target amount: 3 million yen
- Campaign period: Friday, April 24, 2026, 12:00 - Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 23:59
- Format: All-in format
- 3 Main Initiatives (Use of funds):
1. Creation of a barrier-free map: Town walking surveys combining players, fans, and relevant individuals.
2. Improvement of stadium environment: Expansion of universal viewing rooms, installation of temporary ramps, etc.
3. Deaf rugby support: Promotion and strengthening support toward the world tournament scheduled to be held in Japan in October 2026.
■ Return Gifts
- Experience-based: Barrier-free map creation experience, clubhouse tour, deaf rugby experience
- Limited plans: Match tickets, pitch photos with players, limited design goods
- Regional collaboration: Kumagaya famous sweets set, hotel accommodation vouchers, Pilates/conditioning experiences
For details, please visit the crowdfunding project page.
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/907663/
■ Comments
Representative Director, President & CEO, Panasonic Sports Co., Ltd.
Representative of Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights, Tsuyoshi Kubota
Thank you very much for your continuous support. We have always pioneered the Japanese rugby world and forged new paths. However, what we truly look ahead to isn't just the results of the matches. Beyond that is deepening the bonds with the local community centered around our hometown of Kumagaya, and delivering courage and vitality to people through the power of sports. This project is a challenge to co-create a new future for rugby with all of you. We ask for your understanding and support.
Captain of Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights, Atsushi Sakate
Rugby is a sport of diversity. Whether big or small, everyone has a role, and we all aim for a single try and a single victory together. We want to cherish this spirit of 'everyone acting for someone else' in our hometown of Kumagaya. Creating an environment where everyone can equally share the excitement is a new challenge for us. To make this city hotter, guide it to a place everyone can enjoy, and build a better society through rugby, the players will walk alongside you. We kindly ask for your warm support.
Head Coach of Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights, Atsushi Kanazawa
We believe in the power of rugby. It is a power that goes beyond winning and losing, connecting people, and uniting us regardless of age, position, or disability. We want to create an environment where everyone can enjoy rugby in this city of Kumagaya. MORE PASSION, MORE INCLUSION. The more enthusiastic we become, the more Kumagaya opens up to everyone. This initiative cannot be completed by the team alone; we want to build the future together with our fans.
Our team embraces the vision, 'Toward a Kumagaya where anyone can enjoy rugby with anyone.' This project aims to create an environment where more people can share the appeal of rugby in the city of Kumagaya, including those who have never had the opportunity to experience rugby or those who were hesitant to visit the stadium. It is a co-creation initiative nurtured alongside the local community to foster a future where everyone can enjoy being a member of a Rugby Town.
Under the two themes of 'Creating enthusiasm for spectators' and 'Creating enthusiasm for players,' this project will primarily advance the following initiatives:
1. Creating Enthusiasm for Spectators
To ensure that first-time spectators and those anxious about mobility or facilities can visit with peace of mind, we will create a barrier-free map around the Kumagaya Sports Culture Park. Concurrently, we will improve the viewing environment so that more people can comfortably enjoy matches and share the excitement of rugby together at the stadium.
2. Creating Enthusiasm for Players
Through supporting deaf rugby, we will deliver the diverse appeal and possibilities of rugby to more people. We will back the challenges of those involved in the sport while fostering a broader community where people of various backgrounds can connect and support each other through rugby.
The funds raised will be utilized to advance the above initiatives and help create an environment where everyone can enjoy being part of the Rugby Town Kumagaya. We will regularly update the project page with information on how the funds are used and the progress of the initiatives.
■ Crowdfunding Overview
- Target amount: 3 million yen
- Campaign period: Friday, April 24, 2026, 12:00 - Tuesday, June 30, 2026, 23:59
- Format: All-in format
- 3 Main Initiatives (Use of funds):
1. Creation of a barrier-free map: Town walking surveys combining players, fans, and relevant individuals.
2. Improvement of stadium environment: Expansion of universal viewing rooms, installation of temporary ramps, etc.
3. Deaf rugby support: Promotion and strengthening support toward the world tournament scheduled to be held in Japan in October 2026.
■ Return Gifts
- Experience-based: Barrier-free map creation experience, clubhouse tour, deaf rugby experience
- Limited plans: Match tickets, pitch photos with players, limited design goods
- Regional collaboration: Kumagaya famous sweets set, hotel accommodation vouchers, Pilates/conditioning experiences
For details, please visit the crowdfunding project page.
https://camp-fire.jp/projects/907663/
■ Comments
Representative Director, President & CEO, Panasonic Sports Co., Ltd.
Representative of Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights, Tsuyoshi Kubota
Thank you very much for your continuous support. We have always pioneered the Japanese rugby world and forged new paths. However, what we truly look ahead to isn't just the results of the matches. Beyond that is deepening the bonds with the local community centered around our hometown of Kumagaya, and delivering courage and vitality to people through the power of sports. This project is a challenge to co-create a new future for rugby with all of you. We ask for your understanding and support.
Captain of Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights, Atsushi Sakate
Rugby is a sport of diversity. Whether big or small, everyone has a role, and we all aim for a single try and a single victory together. We want to cherish this spirit of 'everyone acting for someone else' in our hometown of Kumagaya. Creating an environment where everyone can equally share the excitement is a new challenge for us. To make this city hotter, guide it to a place everyone can enjoy, and build a better society through rugby, the players will walk alongside you. We kindly ask for your warm support.
Head Coach of Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights, Atsushi Kanazawa
We believe in the power of rugby. It is a power that goes beyond winning and losing, connecting people, and uniting us regardless of age, position, or disability. We want to create an environment where everyone can enjoy rugby in this city of Kumagaya. MORE PASSION, MORE INCLUSION. The more enthusiastic we become, the more Kumagaya opens up to everyone. This initiative cannot be completed by the team alone; we want to build the future together with our fans.