TAYLOR ANDERSON CUP
夢を生きる
TAYLOR ANDERSON CUP IN ONAGAWA
Live your dream.
In 2011, an American teacher lost her life in the tsunami of the Great East Japan Earthquake.
This tournament carries the spirit she left behind from Onagawa to the world through women's football.
Hosted by the Taylor Anderson Cup Executive Committee
Japanese players challenging themselves abroad and WE League players connected to Tohoku gather in Onagawa.
Through women's football, we energize Onagawa's present while passing the memory of the Great East Japan Earthquake on to future generations—
That is the Taylor Anderson Cup.
From a photo of her days in Ishinomaki /
Ms. Taylor Anderson
Who is Taylor Anderson
In 2008, an American woman came to Ishinomaki as an Assistant Language Teacher through the JET Programme.
Her name was Taylor Anderson.
She spent her days teaching English to children at elementary and junior high schools in Ishinomaki. On March 11, 2011, Taylor lost her life in the tsunami of the Great East Japan Earthquake at the young age of 24.
In 2023, a memorial stone donated to the Ishinomaki Minami-Hama Tsunami Recovery Memorial Park was inscribed with the words "Live your dream," carrying her parents' wish for their daughter's dream.
The name of this tournament was entrusted to us by Taylor's parents, who kindly gave their consent for its use.
The Spirit Behind This Tournament
Ms. Taylor fulfilled her dream of coming to Japan. The Taylor Anderson Cup, too, has made helping young people fulfill their dreams one of its missions.
There are Japanese players challenging themselves overseas. There are also foreign players who wish to play in Japan. This tournament began with the thought that holding it to coincide with the close of the WE League season might help such players realize their dreams. And we hoped that children in Onagawa, Ishinomaki, Minamisanriku, and Kesennuma might get to watch this stage. "Maybe I'll want to play football too." "Maybe I'll want to watch the WE League." Perhaps one day, a player who takes flight into the world will emerge because of Onagawa. We think it would be wonderful if such a culture could be born here in Onagawa. We want this tournament to be more than just a boost for Onagawa — an equal, win-win event that helps Onagawa itself fulfill its own dreams.
