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Aya Sameshima
Member of the Japan Women’s National Team that won the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup / Tochigi Future Ambassador
Speaker Bio
She began playing soccer in the first grade of elementary school and advanced from her local club, Kawachi SC Juvenile, to Tokiwagi Gakuen High School in Miyagi. After graduation, she joined TEPCO Mareeze, the women’s soccer team of Tokyo Electric Power Company.
Due to the suspension of the team’s activities following the Great East Japan Earthquake, she took on the challenge of playing overseas.
After returning to Japan, she played for Vegalta Sendai and INAC Kobe Leonessa, and in January 2021, she joined Omiya Ardija VENTUS, a new team in the WE League.
She retired from professional football in June 2024 and is now mainly engaged in promoting the sport throughout Japan.
Since her debut with Nadeshiko Japan in 2008, she has been a key player as an irreplaceable left back, known for her exceptional stamina, contributing to the team’s first-ever victory at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany, a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics, and a runner-up finish at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.
She has played 114 international A matches and scored 5 goals for Japan.
She has received the People’s Honor Award, the Tochigi Prefecture Honor Award, and the Utsunomiya City Honor Award.
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Due to the suspension of the team’s activities following the Great East Japan Earthquake, she took on the challenge of playing overseas.
After returning to Japan, she played for Vegalta Sendai and INAC Kobe Leonessa, and in January 2021, she joined Omiya Ardija VENTUS, a new team in the WE League.
She retired from professional football in June 2024 and is now mainly engaged in promoting the sport throughout Japan.
Since her debut with Nadeshiko Japan in 2008, she has been a key player as an irreplaceable left back, known for her exceptional stamina, contributing to the team’s first-ever victory at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany, a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics, and a runner-up finish at the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Canada.
She has played 114 international A matches and scored 5 goals for Japan.
She has received the People’s Honor Award, the Tochigi Prefecture Honor Award, and the Utsunomiya City Honor Award.