On a basketball court in Tokyo, the smallest player on the court navigates her wheelchair forward and launches the ball with all her strength.
“My favorite part is throwing the ball. When I score, I feel so happy,” says Mizuki, a 9-year-old who takes part in the wheelchair basketball program run by NPO J Camp. She smiles shyly as she speaks.
With a vision to “convey the true joy of wheelchair basketball and pursuing human potential,” J Camp launched its “Push for Future” program in 2024 with support from Play Academy with Naomi Osaka. The initiative helps mainly girls and young women with disabilities take confident steps toward their future through wheelchair sports. As part of the project, J Camp runs “Wheelchair Basketball Play Date,” a program designed for girls age 8 to 15.
Mizuki has been coming for about a year. Her speed with a wheelchair has picked up, her shots are landing more often, and her bright smile when she high-fives friends after scoring has become a familiar sight.
Mizuki is lively and cheerful. She had often spent her time at home doing schoolwork or watching videos. While she participates in running and tennis workshops, the daily opportunities for her to move freely on the field are still rare for girl who use wheelchairs.
For her parents, J Camp has offered more than just playtime.
“It’s given her a place to belong and helped her grow socially,” they say. “She used to be the type who just sat back and watched. Now she asks for the ball, raises her hand to join in, and really throws herself into it. Even when meeting new friends, she keeps showing up as herself.”
Push for Future staff Yume has noticed the change too.
“At first, she was aiming for the tambourine we hung under the hoop. Now she’s going for the basket itself. That spirit of challenge is what impresses me,” Yume says.
“At school, all I do is run,” Mizuki says.
But at J Camp, she experiences something new— throwing the ball, challenging herself and sharing moments with new friends.
“Basketball is my favorite! I want to get even better at throwing,” she added.
J Camp program manager Makiko Harada describes the joy of watching Mizuki grow:
“She does everything with such enjoyment, and now taking on the challenges she wants without hesitation. With each session, she’s talking more with her friends, and we’re seeing more moments where they exchange ideas during play.”
