After completing a successful project in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, NOC*NSF launched its next social project, the Game Changer Project, for the 2020 Games in Tokyo. Through the Game Changer Project, NOC*NSF supports the integration of people with an impairment in Japanese society. The Game Changer Project is endorsed and supported by the Dutch Embassy in Japan.

Better integration of people with an impairment was one of the main objectives of the Tokyo 2020 organising committee and the Japanese government for the 2020 Games. In recent decades, NOC*NSF and Dutch federations have gained ample experience in the field of Paralympics and sports for people with an impairment. Sports, by all means, is an excellent way to give people with an impairment self-confidence, to facilitate their integration in society as well as to strengthen and enhance contact between individuals with and without an impairment. NOC*NSF is pleased to share this experience and knowledge with Japan and, therefore, NOC*NSF has decided to put the integration of disabled people at the heart of its social project.

Since 2017, at least twice a year, Dutch experts share their knowledge and experience with regards to sports for people with an impairment with sports clubs, schools and governmental bodies in Tokyo. This transfer of knowledge focusses on the strengthening of these organisations, so as to enable that these organisations can offer, realise and independently implement a sports programme for individuals with an impairment in the future. In addition, Dutch Paralympic athletes travel regularly to Tokyo to inspire and motivate people with an impairment, their families, teachers, coaches and others, sharing personal stories, their passion and their Paralympic or Olympic accomplishments.

In the Game Changer Project, NOC*NSF closely cooperates with the Japan Sport Council (JSC), the Dutch Embassy in Japan and three Tokyo districts: Edogawa City, Nishitokyo and Adachi City. Due to the postponement of the Tokyo Games, the project has been extended. 

Milestones Game Changer Project

16 - 20 January 2023

Final Game Changer workshop in Tokyo with Dutch Tokyo 2020 Paralympic gold medallist swimming Rogier Dorsman, Tokyo 2020 Paralympic gold medallist table tennis Kelly van Zon, parasports expert Marjolein de Boer, and former Dutch IPC board member Rita van Driel

29 September - 9 October 2022

Game Changer workshop in Tokyo with former Dutch IPC board member Rita van Driel.

19 August 2021

Virtual Game Changer conference with live streams from Tokyo and the Netherlands and more than 100 participants from around the globe. Various presentations about the achievements so fare and lots of interviews with Paralympic athletes, volunteers, and administrators

2020-2021

Monthly online workshops with delegations from the three Tokyo districts, Japan Sport Council,  and Dutch Parasport experts.

Despite the COVID-19 measures in Japan the three Tokyo districts have continued the project. They have launched Sports Service Points; go-to locations for people with an impairment to get information where and how they can practice sport in their area. Furthermore, the districts have organized Walking Challenges, a walking activity for people with and without an impairment, and have organized various workshops for students, teachers and volunteers.

On November 1st, 2020 Adachi City has opened a Special Cruyff Court in cooperation with the Cruyff Foundation in one of the Adachi City neighbourhoods. The Special Cruyff Courts are safe places for children with and without an impairment to meet and to practice sport together.

On May 16th, 2021 during a remote signing ceremony the three Tokyo districts, Japan Sport Council and NOC*NSF have renewed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The five parties have agreed to continue their partnership and have extended the MoU until March 31st, 2022.

18-22 November 2019

Game Changer workshop in Tokyo with Dutch Paralympian swimmer Gert Jan Schep, Dutch Parasport expert Heleen Moes, and Dutch IPC board member Rita van Driel.

16-20 September 2019

Game Changer workshop in the Netherlands with delegations from the three Tokyo districts and Japan Sport Council.

1-5 July 2019

Game Changer workshop in Tokyo with Dutch Paralympian and European champion athletics Marlène van Gansewinkel and Dutch IPC board member Rita van Driel.

4-8 February 2019

Game Changer workshop in Tokyo with Dutch Paralympians and world champions wheelchair basketball Mariska Beijer and Bo Kramer, parasport expert Marjolein de Boer, and Dutch IPC board member Rita van Driel.

8-12 October 2018

Game Changer workshop in Tokyo with Dutch IPC board member Rita van Driel.

25-29 June 2018

Game Changer workshop in Tokyo with Dutch parasport experts Marjolijn de Boer and Dolf Nijbroek and Dutch IPC board member Rita van Driel

19-23 November 2017

Game Changer workshop in the Netherlands with delegations from the three Tokyo districts and Japan Sport Council

4-11 November 2017

Game Changer workshop in Tokyo with Dutch Paralympic table tennis champion Kelly van Zon and Dutch IPC board member Rita van Driel

10 October 2017

NOC*NSF, Japan Sport Council and Tokyo districts Edogawa City, Nishitokyo and Adachi City sign the Game Changer Memorandum of Understanding at the Ambassy of the Netherlands in Tokyo.