Ruru Hoshi, a sixth-grade elementary school student undergoing long-term treatment for childhood cancer, has joined the Waseda University Women's Hockey Team through the Being ALIVE Japan (BAJ) TEAMMATES program. On July 5th, Ruru-chan was officially welcomed at an induction ceremony held at the Waseda University Higashi-Fushimi Campus.

The TEAMMATES program is an initiative that allows children undergoing long-term medical treatment to become members of a sports team and participate in activities with players and staff, thereby providing them with the important experience of "youth" and building friendships during their childhood. This is the first time that a Waseda University athletic team has accepted a child into the TEAMMATES program, and they were thrilled to embrace Ruru-chan as a TEAMMATES member of the Waseda University Women's Hockey Team.

Ruru-chan’s new teammates, her family, official sport media, Waseda University Hockey Team Director Nobuo Nakamura (Professor at Waseda University School of Commerce), and the Women's Hockey Team Head Coach Yumiko Yasuoka all came together to give a special welcome to their new teammate. The room was full of excitement, radiating a vibrant, warm energy. 

Third-year Waseda University Field Hockey student-athlete and BAJ leadership fellow Risako Kikuchi played a central role in making Ruru-chan’s official induction come to life. Reflecting upon the draft day and being able to talk with Ruru-chan in front of the whole team, Risako said, “It really hit me that we had finally made it happen with my own team. It was an incredibly emotional and rewarding moment.” Her months of hard work and preparation in the BAJ leadership program were not easy, but it all came together in this moment and “filled [her] heart with gratitude and happiness.”

Director Nobuo Nakamura started off the draft day with a welcoming address to Ruru-chan. Director Nakamura explained that this initiative has been driven by the passion of the current players on the Waseda University Women's Hockey Team and that it is the first such initiative at Waseda University. "As someone in charge of the athletic teams, and as a faculty member, I am very proud of the women's team's challenge," added Director Nakamura.

Following this address, Coach Yumiko Yasuoka expressed how eagerly all the players had been awaiting Ruru-Chan's arrival, and added, "I believe that by welcoming Ruru, the team members themselves will be able to learn and grow in many ways. We will continue to strive to recognize each individual's personality and to enhance the human qualities of Waseda sports."

Afterward, Ruru-chan and Director Nakamura signed the contract, and Ruru-chan officially became a part of the Waseda University Women's Hockey Team. Coach Yasuoka presented her with her own jersey, and her new teammate, Risako, asked some interview questions. Ruru-chan answered thoughtfully, saying that she is most looking forward to "playing hockey with everyone" and that her goal with the team is "to be kind to everyone." When asked what kind of TEAMMATES she wants to be, she said, “It's about having fun playing hockey with everyone and working together."

Next, the team captain, Sara Izawa, gave a welcoming speech to Ruru-chan, sharing how all the team members had been really looking forward to the day they could meet Ruru-chan. She described how a key part of their team identity is that, while the players have diverse backgrounds and experience in hockey, they are all always smiling, kind, and supportive teammates. Sara reassured Ruru-chan, who seemed a little nervous, saying that she was sure she would fit in with the team very quickly. Sara gifted Ruru-chan her own brand-new stick and said, "I think this is your first time playing hockey, but with the stick I'm about to give you in your hand, we’ll create lots of memories together." The presentation was full of love and enthusiastic cheers from the whole team.

After the press conference, Ruru-chan immediately began enjoying her time as a member of the team, playing games and eating dango (rice dumplings) together.