Neo-Career Hosts Inaugural Sponsored Tournament 'B-Sponsors Cup' as Part of Club Activity Support Initiative

Neo-Career Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Ryoichi Nishizawa; hereinafter 'Neo-Career'), a comprehensive human resources services provider, hosted the inaugural sponsored tournament 'B-Sponsors Cup' on April 18 and 19, 2026, for boys' basketball teams from member high schools. The event, organized through its corporate-high school sponsorship matching service 'B-Sponsors,' aimed to strengthen club activities and promote inter-school exchange. A total of seven schools participated, creating opportunities for interaction beyond school and regional boundaries.

Background of the B-Sponsors Cup

Since launching the B-Sponsors service in 2025, Neo-Career has supported high school club activities by connecting companies with schools, primarily through financial sponsorship.

However, through direct engagement with schools, the company identified that challenges facing high school clubs extend beyond funding shortages to include limited external interaction and practical growth opportunities. Amid declining birthrates and reforms in teachers' working conditions, the environment surrounding high school extracurricular activities has drastically changed. Issues such as declining membership and unequal access to activities make it increasingly difficult for individual schools to maintain a sufficient competitive environment.

In this context, schools in certain regions or of certain sizes struggle to secure adequate external matches or inter-school exchanges. This results in disparities in students' access to external stimuli and high-level competition. For schools actively striving to improve athletic performance, match experiences in unfamiliar environments and games against schools with limited prior contact are considered highly valuable for student development and motivation.

Against this backdrop, Neo-Career decided to go beyond merely providing sponsorship. Driven by the desire to create growth opportunities where students from different schools and regions can connect, the company launched its first title-sponsored tournament, the 'B-Sponsors Cup.' Notably, the tournament was held at the same venue and on the same dates as an official B.League game, giving students the rare opportunity to play on a professional stage.

Event Highlights

The tournament took place over two days, April 18 and 19, 2026, at Urawa Komaba Arena in Saitama Prefecture. Participating teams included boys' basketball clubs from: Saitama Prefectural Kawaguchi-Higashi High School, Saitama Ei High School, Saitama Prefectural Shōwa High School, Tokyo Metropolitan Musashino-Higashi High School, Kōgakkan University Kugayama High School, Seisa Kokusai Shōnan High School, and Tochigi Prefectural Oyama-Minami High School. A total of seven matches were held over the two days.

The tournament was held as a preliminary event on the same day as an official B.League game. Participating students played their matches on the same court used for professional games. After the tournament concluded, they attended the official B.League match between 'Saitama Broncos' and 'Alvark Tokyo' held at the same venue.

Remarks from B-Sponsors Leadership

"Through this tournament, we were reminded that supporting club activities involves more than just financial assistance. Creating environments and exchange opportunities that students rarely experience in daily life is equally important. As the landscape of high school extracurriculars evolves, the value of cross-school and cross-regional interaction—and the experience of competing on a different stage—will only increase."

"This event provided students with a rare opportunity to play on the same stage as a B.League professional game and then watch a top-level match. We hope this experience offered them new perspectives and inspiration."

"Moving forward, Neo-Career will continue to create new value for high school club activities—not only by connecting companies and schools but also by fostering exchange opportunities that transcend school and regional boundaries."

[Taiki Nishino, General Manager, Business Development Division]

About B-Sponsors

B-Sponsors is a sponsorship matching service that connects corporations with high schools. Companies participate as sponsors, supporting school activities through funding and engagement opportunities. Schools utilize the provided funds via SportsBank*1 to improve club management efficiency and enhance their activity environments. To date, over 30 successful matches have been made, and the initiative continues to expand as a bridge between businesses and schools.

Neo-Career facilitates this system, supporting the creation of sustainable and valuable relationships for both corporations and schools. For students, it provides early career education through corporate engagement. For companies, it offers opportunities to meet and build relationships with future talent.

Going forward, Neo-Career will continue developing B-Sponsors as a new social infrastructure connecting education and business, expanding the circle of support.

*1 'SportsBank' is a sports activity support app operated by Asian Bridge Co., Ltd., featuring fund management tools and efficient club operation support functions.

Service Website: https://b-sponsors.com/

Inquiries: contact_bsp@neo-career.co.jp