UNIQLO launch Next Generation Development Programme with athletes including Roger Federer

Designed to encourage young people across the globe to take part in sports, UNIQLO has launched a Next Generation Development Programme with global sports ambassadors, such as Roger Federer.

UNIQLO’s Global Brand Ambassadors, which includes Federer, Kei Nishikori, Shingo Kunieda, Gordon Reid, Adam Scott and Ayumu Hirano, will lead a series of activities with the goal of inspiring and supporting young people globally.

The programme was created in partnership with the six Ambassadors as well as sports organisations including the Japan Football Association (JFA), Japan Tennis Association (JTA), Swedish Olympic Committee (SOC) and Swedish Paralympic Committee (SPC).

The programme will provide young people with the opportunity to learn from the world’s leading athletes, inspiring and educating them on a range of topics, from sustainability to sports.

Fast Retailing Group Senior Executive Officer, Koji Yanai, commented: “Through our new Next Generation Development Program we will strengthen our commitment and support toward the next generation of youth. Together with our global brand ambassadors, partners and sports organizations, we look forward to continue to generate a positive impact toward their future with learning opportunities through sports and creativity.”

Programmes with Global Brand Ambassadors include:

Roger Federer – Youth Clinic at Laver Cup, London
Kei Nishikori - UNIQLO Japan Junior Tennis Championships (UJTC), United States
Adam Scott - UNIQLO Adam Scott Junior Championship, United States
Ayumu Hirano - UNIQLO LifeWear Day with Ayumu Hirano, Japan
Shingo Kunieda and Gordon Reid - Wheelchair Tennis Clinic at Japan Open, Japan

Programmes with sports organisations include:

JFA UNIQLO Soccer Kids is a long-standing soccer festival for preschool children six and under. This entails small teams of children partaking in the sport, emphasising having fun rather than winning. In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the programme, special tournaments overseas are planned for spring 2023.

In addition, the brand launched UNIQLO Ichiro Post, a project created with baseball great Ichiro Suzuki for the development and support of the next generation. This partnership aims to create opportunities for children to discover their passion, whether in sports or other endeavours.

Finally, the UNIQLO Dream Project sees the global brand joining forces with the Swedish Olympic and Paralympic Committee, to create a sports-based initiative to inspire children and youth. The project builds on "Together for the Future", a shared commitment by the partners to create better tomorrows through sporting and apparel excellence.