MELBOURNE MAGIC SOUTH.EXEが大阪YMCAを訪問！生徒の皆さんと交流

3×3.EXE PREMIER 2026 PLAYOFFSの前日となる10月2日、3×3.EXE PREMIER AUSTRALIAのシーズンチャンピオンであるMELBOURNE MAGIC SOUTH.EXEの選手たちがOsaka YMCA International Schoolを訪問し、小学生から高校生までの生徒の皆さんと交流しました。

訪問したのは、翌日のPLAYOFFSに出場する#2 セス・ガルシア選手、#4 マット・ジョンズ選手、#5 グリフィン・ビワー選手、#7 ジェロン・ジェマーソン選手の4名に加え、コーチやスタッフの皆さん。さらに、WARRNAMBOOL STORM.EXEの#7 リアム・マッキナーニー選手も特別参加しました。

学校に到着すると、Head of Schoolの小西雄希先生をはじめ、先生方が温かく出迎えてくださいました。

体育館では、生徒の皆さんがオーストラリアの国旗を振りながら、選手の入場を待ちます。選手たちが入場すると、会場は大きな歓声に包まれました。

イベントの冒頭では、小西先生から開会のご挨拶があり、選手一人ひとりに感謝の気持ちを込めたお礼状が贈られました。

On October 2, one day before the 3×3.EXE PREMIER 2026 PLAYOFFS, players from MELBOURNE MAGIC SOUTH.EXE, the champions of the 3×3.EXE PREMIER AUSTRALIA season, visited Osaka YMCA International School and interacted with students from primary school to high school.

Representing MELBOURNE MAGIC SOUTH.EXE were four players set to compete in the PLAYOFFS the following day No.2 Seth Garcia, No.4 Matt Johns, No.5 Griffin Biwer, and No.7 Jeron Jemarson, accompanied by the team’s coaches and staff. Joining the visit as a special guest was No.7 Liam McInerney of WARRNAMBOOL STORM.EXE.

Upon arriving at the school, the players were warmly welcomed by Mr. Yuki Konishi, Head of School, along with members of the faculty.

Inside the gymnasium, students eagerly awaited the players’ arrival, waving Australian flags and filling the venue with excitement. As the players entered, they were greeted by a wave of enthusiastic cheers and applause from the crowd.

The event opened with welcoming remarks from Mr. Konishi, who expressed his appreciation to the players for taking the time to visit the school. As a token of gratitude, letters of appreciation were presented to each player, marking the beginning of a memorable day of cultural exchange and basketball.

いよいよ交流プログラムがスタート！まずは選手たちが自己紹介を行い、生徒の皆さんとの交流が始まりました。

はじめに、選手たちが2ポイントシュートやダンクシュート、ドリブルテクニックなど、プロならではの技を披露。目の前で繰り広げられる迫力あるプレーに、生徒の皆さんからは大きな拍手や歓声が上がりました。

The exchange program then got underway, beginning with player introductions as students had the opportunity to get to know the athletes.

The players kicked off the session by showcasing their professional skills, including long-range two-point shots, powerful dunks, and impressive dribbling techniques. The exciting display drew loud cheers and enthusiastic applause from the students, who were thrilled to watch the action up close.

その後は、バスケットボールの上達につながる練習を体験。バスケットボールの経験にかかわらず、生徒の皆さんは選手のアドバイスを受けながら、真剣な表情で練習に取り組んでいました。

After the demonstration, students took part in a series of basketball training activities designed to help improve their skills. Regardless of their basketball experience, the students listened carefully to the players’ advice and approached each drill with enthusiasm and focus.

さらに、選手に挑戦するバスケットボール対決も実施。小学生チームは複数人で協力しながら選手からボールを奪おうと奮闘し、高校生チームは本気の勝負を繰り広げるなど、会場は大いに盛り上がりました。

The excitement continued with a series of basketball challenges against the players. Primary school students worked together to try and take the ball from the athletes, while high school students competed in spirited matchups of their own, creating a fun and energetic atmosphere throughout the gym.

選手への質問コーナーでは、生徒の皆さんが積極的に質問する姿も見られ、選手たちの競技への向き合い方や日々の活動について知る貴重な機会となりました。

During the Q&A session, students eagerly asked questions, gaining valuable insights into the players’ approach to the sport and their lives as professional athletes.

最後は全員で記念撮影を行い、生徒の皆さんから選手へプレゼントが贈られました。また、選手からも、参加した選手全員のサインが入った色紙が贈られました。

The event concluded with a group photo, followed by an exchange of gifts. Students presented gifts to the players, while the players gave the school a commemorative autograph board signed by all participating athletes.

イベント終了後も選手にサインを求める生徒の姿が見られるなど、最後まで交流を楽しむ様子が見られました。

今回の交流会を通じて、生徒の皆さんに海外のプロ選手と直接触れ合い、3×3やスポーツの魅力を体感していただくとともに、スポーツを通じた交流を楽しんでいただくことができました。

Even after the event had concluded, many students remained to ask the players for autographs, making the most of the opportunity to interact with them until the very end.

Through this special exchange, students were able to meet professional athletes from overseas, experience the excitement of 3×3 basketball and sport firsthand, and enjoy meaningful connections through the power of sport.

こちらの様子はOsaka YMCA International Schoolおよび、3×3.EXE PREMIERのInstagramでも紹介しております。

Highlights from the visit were also shared on the official Instagram accounts of Osaka YMCA International School and 3×3.EXE PREMIER.

Osaka YMCA International School Instagram
3×3.EXE PREMIER Instagram