[Iwate Prefecture] Professional sports in Iwate, which gave birth to Yusei Kikuchi, Shohei Otani, and Aki Sasaki, will reach even greater heights! [Introduction to professional sports in the six prefectures of Tohoku]

As the long-awaited spring in Iwate Prefecture comes to an end and life is finally returning to normal after the coronavirus pandemic, we are now able to watch sports and cheer loudly like before.

Iwate Prefecture does not have a professional baseball team, but there are two professional sports teams: the basketball team "Iwate Big Bulls" and the soccer team "Iwate Gruja Morioka" (as of April 3, 2023).

Both are in great shape in 2023, ranking first in the B3 league and J3 league respectively, and both Big Bulls boosters and Gruja supporters are excited!

Iwate Big Bulls (Basketball: B.LEAGUE)

Since joining the then-BJ League in the 2011-12 season, it has been loved as Iwate Prefecture's first professional sports team.

From the 2016-17 season, we will join the new professional league "B.LEAGUE" and will be affiliated with the second division (B2) East region, making a fresh start as a professional team.

In the 2017-18 season, they were demoted to the third division (B3), but in the 2022-23 season, they maintained good form from the start, fought for the lead, and won their first B3 championship on April 2nd.

From now on, we will aim to win the playoffs and return to B2 next season.

What does Big Bulls mean? What is the team color?

"Big" refers to Iwate Prefecture, the largest prefecture in Honshu, and is combined with "Bull," which symbolizes Iwate brand beef such as Maezawa Beef and Tankaku Beef due to its thriving dairy industry, and was named after a public contest.

The team colors are the following three colors:

• Red (Bulls Red): represents the passion of the people of Iwate Prefecture
• Dark blue (iron marine blue): inspired by Nanbu ironware and the Sanriku sea.
• Gold (Heritage Gold): Image of Hiraizumi, a world heritage site with Chusonji Konjikido etc.

The team logo depicts a brave bullfighting victorious, representing energy, activity, tenacity, and dedication, and is an image that inspires dreams and excitement in Iwate Prefecture and brings a sense of unity and vitality.

Cheer dance team “Red Charm”

The team name has the meaning of ``goddess,'' which is also a ``talisman'' that supports the Big Bulls and all the hardworking people of Iwate Prefecture.

Together with the team character "BULLZO", this is a team of goddesses of victory who pump up the booster's excitement during games and halftime and inject vitality into the team.

The Big Bulls' journey so far

Despite being at the mercy of the turmoil in the Japanese basketball world, the team aims to be the best in Japan.

• August 10, 2010: Establishment of Iwate Professional Basketball Establishment Preparatory Incorporators Association and submission of application for entry into the BJ League
• August 26, 2010: Decision to join the BJ League from the 2011-12 season
• 2016: It has been decided that the newly launched "B.LEAGUE" will enter the second division (B2) East region from the 2016-17 season.
• 2018: Finished at the bottom of the league, lost in the replacement match, and was demoted to B3.
• April 2023: Battle for the lead in the 2022-23 season, achieving first victory on April 2nd

What is the Big Bulls' home arena?

The main arena is Morioka Takaya Arena in Morioka City, but matches are also held at gymnasiums throughout the prefecture as home arenas.

Additionally, as the team has traditionally practiced in public gymnasiums, there have been times when talented players have refused to transfer due to restrictions on practice due to the facilities, and difficulties in choosing a place to live due to transportation issues to the practice field.

However, in January 2021, the practice-only gymnasium ``Yahaba Town Iwate Big Bulls Arena'' opened in Yahaba Town, creating an environment where they can practice at any time, which is said to have led to this season's championship.

Additionally, the Big Bulls U15 team was formed and a basketball academy was opened using this facility.

INFORMATION

• Team name: Iwate BigBulls
• Office address: 95-1 Hosoyachi, Mukainakano, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 019-681-6257
• URL: Iwate Big Bulls official website

• Home arena name: Morioka Takaya Arena
• Location: 5-4-1 Motomiya, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 019-658-1212
• URL: Morioka City Sports Association Official Website

GOOGLE MAP

Iwate Gruja Morioka (Soccer: Meiji Yasuda Life J League)

Gruja started the 2023 season in the J3 League, but as of April 2nd, they are in the lead with 3 wins, 1 loss, and 1 draw!

Although they were promoted to J2 last year, they did not perform well and fell back to J3 after one season, but they have gotten off to a great start this season and are aiming for re-promotion to J2 next season.

What does Gruja mean? What is the team color?

The club name ``Grulla'' means ``Grulla'' in Spanish, and the image of a crane flapping its wings expresses the spirit of Iwate, overcoming the harsh winters of Iwate, a northern country.

The name comes from the family crest of the former Morioka domain lord Nanbu clan, ``Mukaitsuru,'' and Morioka's famous B-class gourmet dish ``Jajamen''. The team color is white, which symbolizes victory.

By the way, the team mascot ``Kizuru'' also has an origami crane as its motif.

Gruja’s journey so far

The team's parent organization was founded in 2000 and became a professional sports team by joining the J League in 2013.

• 2000: Alumni from two high schools in Morioka found “Villanova Morioka” (second division of the Tohoku Amateur Soccer League)
• December 2003: ``A group to create a J.League team in Morioka'' is established and becomes ``Gruja Morioka.''
• 2004: Promoted to the Tohoku Amateur Soccer League Division 1 and won the championship for the first time the following year.
• August 2013: Decision to join J3 after the application for J.League associate membership was approved by the J.League board of directors.

What is Gruja's hometown?

All 14 cities, 15 towns, and 4 villages in Iwate Prefecture, centering on Morioka City, are their hometowns, and their home stadium is Iwagin Stadium (capacity: 5,046 people) located at the Morioka City Minami Park Stadium, where a new baseball stadium was completed this year. That's what I mean.

INFORMATION

• Team name: Iwate Gruja Morioka
• Office address: 18-2 Tsushida 13, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 019-613-6333
• URL: Iwate Gruja Morioka official website

• Home stadium name: Iwagin Stadium
• Location: 8-65 Nagai, Morioka City, Iwate Prefecture
• Phone number: 019-632-3344
• URL: Morioka City Sports Association Official Website

GOOGLE MAP

summary

In Iwate Prefecture, a new baseball stadium, Iwagin Ball Park (Iwate Morioka Ball Park), opened on April 1, 2023.

With professional baseball games scheduled to be held in May and June, the excitement of the two professional sports teams that call Iwate Prefecture as their home is set to further excite Iwate Prefecture's professional sports world.

Let's pray and support Big Bulls and Gruja to reach even greater heights together!