PROGOS, Inc. (“PROGOS”), the subsidiary of RareJob, Inc. (“RareJob”), which utilizes data related to human resource to develop global talents, provides language learning support for J. League Club, Kashima Antlers.

Partner agreement with Kashima Antlers

PROGOS signed the partner contract in March 2021 to help soccer players, staff and stakeholders of Kashima Antlers grab opportunities to play active roles globally.

Background for this support

As one of the leading club teams of J. League, Kashima Antlers aims to “keep the strong club that challenges the world”. Professional soccer players who play active roles in Japan and the world have many opportunities where they need English speaking skills for such as away games and interviews in foreign countries. PROGOS will help athletes improve their communication skills in English for their professional lives and succeed globally by the provision of English learning services. In addition, acquiring English skills leads to not only helping their international success as professional soccer players but also expanding their future career options. We hope that this support will be a significant benefit for their professional lives and second career in the future. This support program started in July, targeting 11 athletes of Kashima Antlers who want to improve their English speaking skills. We try to maximize our learning support to respond to their passion for growth.

Overview of our support

All learning services are provided online, which allows athletes to learn anytime and anywhere. For example, they can take lessons during trips for away games and spare time between training.
・Details:
-Assessment of English speaking skills and proposal of optimized learning plan individually
… The AI business English speaking test “The PROGOS test (Automated version)”
-Training to improve English speaking skills with online English tutoring service that allows them to take one-on-one lessons anytime
… Online English tutoring service “RareJob Eikaiwa” Business English course, 25 minutes per day plan

Comment by Koji Nakata, C.R.O. of Kashima Antlers F.C. Co., Ltd.

Koji Nakata is responsible for strengthening relationships with all stakeholders of the club as C.R.O. (Club Relations Officer). One of his missions is to encourage soccer players in the club to acquire various skills for their second career in the future during their first career as professional soccer players.
After I retired, I regretted that I should have learned more about what I was interested in. When I was a professional player, I had neither strong motivation nor know how to start learning so I missed an opportunity to learn. As I don’t want other players to feel such regrets, I let the club provide a variety of learning programs that inspire them and mature them not only as professional soccer players but also as sensible members of society.

Excerpts from participating players in the program

Ryotaro Araki
I have already been studying English by myself for a while before this support started, but now I am very grateful that the club provides me with the study program to improve my English communication skill for my professional and private life. I would like to make the most of this program effectively from now on to learn something new.

Tomoya Inukai
I think this is a significant advantage that our club provides such a motivating environment where we can inspire each other for English learning. Professional soccer players sometimes have a half day off after training, so we are able to take this program during a half-day leave. As it’s important to take advantage of such spare time to do something meaningful in my opinion, I am eager to learn anything spontaneously.

Future Outlook

We are planning to expand the targets of this program to youth players and coaches. In addition, we continue to provide various services to help athletes of Kashima Antlers, staff and stakeholders succeed internationally based on the vision of PROGOS, “developing the global leaders truly needed in the world”.

About PROGOS Inc.

Address: 6th Floor, CRANES Park Building, 18-1, Jingumae 6-chome, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Representative: Masuyo Ando, President and COO
URL:https://www.progos.co.jp/
Business: Evaluation, training, and recruitment of global leaders

About Kashima Antlers F.C. Co., Ltd.

Address: 2887 Aou Higashiyama, Kashima City, Ibaraki
Representative: Fumiaki Koizumi, President
Business: The management of professional football clubs and Kashima Soccer Stadium assigned by Ibaraki municipal office