FC Ryukyu on Wednesday announced the opening of FC Ryukyu Gakuin, a private high school located in the city of Okinawa.

The school, which will be the first of its kind, will focus on developing student athletes and raising the next generation of football players from Okinawa prefecture.

“Education will be incredibly important for future generations,” FC Ryukyu chairman Keishiro Kurabayashi said. 

“As this prefecture’s J.League club we want to take on the important challenge of running an athletics-focused school by using our resources and networking ability.

“Together with the rest of the prefecture, FC Ryukyu Gakuin will work to realise our three visions of developing sports education, developing talent in the field, and promoting sports within the prefecture.