【Tokyo Great Bears】Announcement of Head Coach Kasper Vuorinen's Retirement
Tokyo Great Bears announced that Head Coach Kasper Vuorinen will retire due to the expiration of his contract. The coach led the team for three seasons, contributing to their first championship appearance. He expressed gratitude to fans, players, and staff in his comments.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 6, 2026 at 21:00
- 🔍 Collected: May 6, 2026 at 12:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 6, 2026 at 12:49 (17 min after Collected)
We would like to announce that Head Coach Kasper Vuorinen will be retiring due to the expiration of his contract.
Coach Kasper led the Tokyo Great Bears for three seasons with his speedy volleyball, solid coaching philosophy, and positive, open communication skills, guiding the club to its first championship appearance and a new stage.
We sincerely thank Coach Kasper for all his support and encouragement to date.
■Kasper Vuorinen (Head Coach) Profile
【 Date of Birth 】April 22, 1984 (42 years old)
【 Place of Birth 】Finland
【 Career History 】
2019-20 Head Coach, Raision Loimu (Finland)
2020-21 Assistant Coach, Wolfdogs Nagoya
2021 Assistant Coach, Finland Women's National Team
2021-23 Assistant Coach, Incheon Korean Air Jumbos (Korea)
2023-2026 Head Coach, Tokyo Great Bears
■Comment from Head Coach Kasper Vuorinen
First of all, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the fans who supported us throughout this season. The three seasons I spent with this club have been very special and irreplaceable for me.
When I first joined the Great Bears, I was strongly attracted by the club's great potential and strong will for growth. And I feel that together with everyone, we were able to get one step closer to the "Volleyball Dream." The growth of young players, the presence of veteran players, and the experience with players from diverse backgrounds have been a great asset for both the team and myself. Also, the growth of the staff members has been very impressive, and I truly feel that this club is nurturing talent that will support the future of Japanese volleyball. I have always valued open communication, healthy competition, and being open to new ideas and skills. I believe that every individual involved in the club's history has the desire to "pass on the pink uniform in a better way to the next," and I feel that we have fulfilled that responsibility.
I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support of all the Lil' Bears. Your presence was a great support for both the team and me. I am proud to have built a special connection through our playing style, team personality, and passion for volleyball. I have always wanted volleyball to be a sport that can be the best form of entertainment, and to be an attractive team for both players and spectators.
I also want to thank my wife for supporting my styling during matches. It was a great joy for me to connect with the fans in a new way through fashion.
The experience with the Great Bears, the club, the community, and in Tokyo will continue to be an important part of my volleyball life. Sports, like life, have various phases, but I believe that with courage, strong will, and effort, a good future will surely follow. I sincerely thank the club, players, staff, owners, sponsors, and fans who gave me this experience. Thank you very much.
Coach Kasper led the Tokyo Great Bears for three seasons with his speedy volleyball, solid coaching philosophy, and positive, open communication skills, guiding the club to its first championship appearance and a new stage.
We sincerely thank Coach Kasper for all his support and encouragement to date.
■Kasper Vuorinen (Head Coach) Profile
【 Date of Birth 】April 22, 1984 (42 years old)
【 Place of Birth 】Finland
【 Career History 】
2019-20 Head Coach, Raision Loimu (Finland)
2020-21 Assistant Coach, Wolfdogs Nagoya
2021 Assistant Coach, Finland Women's National Team
2021-23 Assistant Coach, Incheon Korean Air Jumbos (Korea)
2023-2026 Head Coach, Tokyo Great Bears
■Comment from Head Coach Kasper Vuorinen
First of all, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all the fans who supported us throughout this season. The three seasons I spent with this club have been very special and irreplaceable for me.
When I first joined the Great Bears, I was strongly attracted by the club's great potential and strong will for growth. And I feel that together with everyone, we were able to get one step closer to the "Volleyball Dream." The growth of young players, the presence of veteran players, and the experience with players from diverse backgrounds have been a great asset for both the team and myself. Also, the growth of the staff members has been very impressive, and I truly feel that this club is nurturing talent that will support the future of Japanese volleyball. I have always valued open communication, healthy competition, and being open to new ideas and skills. I believe that every individual involved in the club's history has the desire to "pass on the pink uniform in a better way to the next," and I feel that we have fulfilled that responsibility.
I am deeply grateful for the unwavering support of all the Lil' Bears. Your presence was a great support for both the team and me. I am proud to have built a special connection through our playing style, team personality, and passion for volleyball. I have always wanted volleyball to be a sport that can be the best form of entertainment, and to be an attractive team for both players and spectators.
I also want to thank my wife for supporting my styling during matches. It was a great joy for me to connect with the fans in a new way through fashion.
The experience with the Great Bears, the club, the community, and in Tokyo will continue to be an important part of my volleyball life. Sports, like life, have various phases, but I believe that with courage, strong will, and effort, a good future will surely follow. I sincerely thank the club, players, staff, owners, sponsors, and fans who gave me this experience. Thank you very much.