【Crowdfunding Campaign】Support FlaGorad Kagoshima's SV.LEAGUE Challenge: A Source of Pride for Our City and Dreams for Our Children – Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture

Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture, supported by LR Corporation (headquartered in Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture, CEO: Yuma Suetsugu), which provides e-commerce support and other services, has launched a Government Crowdfunding (GCF) campaign utilizing the hometown tax system. The initiative aims to rally community-wide support for 'FlaGorad Kagoshima,' a men's volleyball club based in Ibusuki City, as it prepares to compete in the SV.LEAGUE. The campaign seeks to drive regional revitalization through sports and expand sports opportunities for children. The project will focus on promoting Ibusuki City through home games, collaborating with local events, and enhancing sports experiences for children. Together with a community-rooted club, the city aims to showcase its charm and create relational populations.

Project Overview

・Platform: Furusato Choice (https://www.furusato-tax.jp/gcf/5447)

・Campaign Period: July 1, 2026 – September 28, 2026 (90 days)

・Funding Goal: 25,000,000 JPY

[Use of Funds]

◾️ Hosting home games and supporting regional collaboration

◾️ Youth development and creation of sports opportunities

◾️ Collaboration with local events and fostering a cheering culture

◾️ Public relations and promotional outreach for Ibusuki City

◾️ Operational and administrative expenses

◾️ Contingency and adjustment funds

※ Even if the funding goal is not met or exceeded, the project scale will be adjusted according to the amount raised, and activities will be prioritized accordingly.

[Purpose]

1. Regional Revitalization Local specialty products will be promoted during home games, and players and cheerleaders will participate in major city events to generate excitement throughout the city.

2. Next Generation & Education In addition to volleyball clinics for children, the project will provide career education opportunities through sports management and volunteer experiences.

3. City Promotion The city's charm will be promoted through SV.LEAGUE, a nationally recognized stage. Strategic PR via social media and video content will enhance the city's visibility and image.

What is Government Crowdfunding® (GCF®)?

A crowdfunding-style hometown tax program launched in 2013.

Municipalities can present specific solutions to local challenges, specify how donations will be used, and set fundraising periods to raise funds from the public. Donors can choose how their contributions are allocated.

【FlaGorad Kagoshima】

A men's professional volleyball team founded in 2021, based in Ibusuki City, Kagoshima Prefecture.

Deeply rooted in the community, the team became the first from Kagoshima Prefecture to enter the V.LEAGUE. They made their debut in the V.LEAGUE DIVISION 3 in the 2023–24 season and won the championship. They later became the inaugural champions of the new V.LEAGUE.

While aiming for further growth, the team continues to contribute to regional revitalization and social good through the power of sports.

The club's name combines 'Flagorad,' meaning 'strawberry' in Italian, with the Kagoshima dialect suffix '–ddo,' expressing the spirit of 'moving forward positively' and 'walking together with the local community.'

● The Story of a Club Challenging the SV.LEAGUE from Ibusuki City

Our story has always been intertwined with our home arena, 'Flagora Arena Ibusuki.'

FlaGorad Kagoshima, born in Ibusuki City as its hometown, has grown step by step through the passionate support of citizens and community-based activities.

From entering the V3 League, enduring tough battles, to claiming victory in the V.LEAGUE. Looking back at the photos from that time, the smiling faces of local fans celebrating points and the landscapes of Ibusuki City, where we shared sweat, are always present.

And in 2026, we will challenge the 'SV.LEAGUE MEN,' the highest stage in Japan.

This is not merely a league promotion. It marks the dawn of a new era in which the name 'Ibusuki City,' with a population of approximately 47,000, will be broadcast nationwide through television, streaming, and social media.

A small club nurtured by the region will compete against national powerhouses, carrying the pride of Ibusuki City.

The protagonists of this story are not just the players. They are all the citizens of Ibusuki City who have walked this journey with us.

● The Need to Elevate a Locally Grown Club to the Next Stage

We now stand at a major turning point. With the opportunity of entering the SV.LEAGUE, we aim to grow FlaGorad Kagoshima not just as an entertainment entity, but as Ibusuki City's 'community asset' and 'shared asset.'

This project is an endeavor to elevate volleyball into a 'tool for regional revitalization' through your donations.

Specifically, we promise to create the following five values for Ibusuki City:

① Nurturing the Dreams of the Next Generation

Players, cheerleaders, and staff will visit local schools to conduct volleyball clinics and sports experience events. Through interaction with top athletes, we will inspire children with a spirit of challenge and love for their community.

② Maximizing the City's Vibrancy

We will turn home games into a 'showcase' to promote Ibusuki City's charm. By introducing local products and tourism information to fans from across the country, we will encourage circulation within the city.

③ Fusion of Tradition and Sports

We will collaborate with Ibusuki City's proud traditional events such as 'Seppetobe' and 'Temple Myoanji Pilgrimage,' leveraging the club's outreach to promote local culture nationwide.

④ Creating Relational Population

By making game attendance a trigger, we will increase the number of people visiting Ibusuki City for the first time, creating fans of the city (relational population).

⑤ Promoting Ibusuki City Nationwide

Through the highly visible SV.LEAGUE stage, we will strengthen Ibusuki City's regional brand.

[Comment from Ibusuki City Social Education Division]

FlaGorad Kagoshima's participation in the SV.LEAGUE is a perfect opportunity to promote Ibusuki City's charm nationwide and revitalize the region.

Our city will fully promote and support various local and event collaborations, including school visits and experience events, to help children interact with top athletes and cultivate love for their community and a spirit of challenge. We sincerely appreciate your support and cooperation.

[Comment from Ibusuki City Mayor, Yutaka Nagayama]

FlaGorad Kagoshima is a vital presence that operates with Ibusuki City as its hometown and delivers dreams and inspiration to many citizens.

Since its founding, the team has steadily grown and now stands at a new stage: challenging the SV.LEAGUE, Japan's highest-level league.

I believe this is not just the team's challenge. It is also a challenge for Ibusuki City and all of Kagoshima Prefecture.

Community-based sports teams connect people, give dreams to children, and create pride in the city. That is why we want the entire community to support FlaGorad Kagoshima's challenge.

Your support will be a great force in shaping the team's future. We would be delighted if you could join us as a partner in creating new history together with FlaGorad Kagoshima.

About Ibusuki City

[Introduction to Ibusuki City]

Ibusuki City, located in western Kagoshima Prefecture on the Satsuma Peninsula, is surrounded by rich natural beauty facing the East China Sea.

'Fukiagehama,' known for its white sand and pine trees, is one of Japan's three major sand dunes. It is a popular destination where visitors can enjoy marine sports and view beautiful sunsets.

Historical traditional events such as 'Myoanji Pilgrimage,' 'Yabusame (horseback archery),' and 'Seppetobe,' along with 'Satsuma ware,' which boasts 400 years of history, and the 'Yunomoto Onsen Village,' known for its excellent water quality,