Introduction: A Story of Dedication and Community
Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara is a professional women’s football club. It is based in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture . The club was a founding member of the Japan Women’s Empowerment Professional Football League (WE League) in 2021. It combines corporate support with a strong community focus. The electronics retail company, Nojima Corporation, founded the team. Nojima Stella has progressed through the Japanese women’s football system. They achieved promotion to the top division before becoming professional. While the club has not yet challenged the league’s top teams, its consistent presence and community mission are vital to the WE League.
Context: The WE League
The WE League is Japan’s premier women’s professional football competition. It was established to elevate women’s football in Japan. The league aims to empower women both on and off the field. Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara is an integral part of this league. Their participation showcases the league’s commitment to diverse club identities. For more details on the league’s structure and other teams, visit our WE League Hub.
The Nojima Stella Way: Philosophy and Identity
Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara’s identity centers on contributing to the local area. This is achieved through “people creation, town creation, and energy creation.” This philosophy guides their community engagement efforts.
- Club Colors: The team’s official colors are NOJIMA Red and NOJIMA Blue.
- Mascot: The club’s mascot is a character named Lady Momo.
- Home Stadium: The team plays its home matches at Sagamihara Gion Stadium. This is a multi-use venue in Sagamihara, Kanagawa. The stadium has a capacity of 11,808.
Logo Showcase
Club History: The Ascent to the Top Flight
Nojima Stella was founded in February 2012. It began as the women’s football club of Nojima Corporation. The club set an ambitious initial goal. They wanted to be the first women’s team from Kanagawa Prefecture to reach the top tier. This was the semi-professional Nadeshiko League at that time.
The club’s name, “Stella,” is Italian for “star.” It reflects their ambition to be the shining star of Kanagawa. It also shows their aim to contribute to the growth of women’s football in the region.
The team’s progression through the league system was fast and well-planned:
- 2012: They started in the Kanagawa Prefectural League Division 3 and won the championship.
- 2013: The club earned promotion to the Nadeshiko Challenge League, which was the second tier.
- 2015: After a league reorganization, the club began competing in the Nadeshiko League Division 2.
- 2016: Nojima Stella achieved its main goal. They won the Nadeshiko League Division 2 title. This secured their promotion to the First Division for the first time.
From 2017 to 2020, Nojima Stella competed in the Nadeshiko League Division 1. They solidified their position in the top flight. The club’s most notable national success came in 2017. They finished as runners-up in the prestigious Empress’s Cup. In 2021, the club became professional. They were a founding member of the newly formed WE League.
The Modern Era: Competing in the WE League
Since the WE League’s inaugural season in 2021-22, Nojima Stella has been a consistent competitor. However, they have found it challenging to reach the top half of the table. They often compete in the lower ranks. The club has experienced long winless and losing streaks. This highlights the competitive difference between them and the league’s elite teams.
Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara WE League History (2021–2025)
| Season | Position | Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | Goals For | Goals Against | Goal Difference | Points |
| 2021–22 | 10th | 20 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 19 | 25 | -6 | 18 |
| 2022–23 | 9th | 20 | 5 | 4 | 11 | 17 | 32 | -15 | 19 |
| 2023–24 | 12th | 22 | 3 | 4 | 15 | 16 | 41 | -25 | 13 |
| 2024–25 | 10th | 22 | 4 | 6 | 12 | 27 | 39 | -12 | 18 |
Note: The 2021-22 and 2022-23 seasons featured 11 teams.
(Data sourced from official WE League records and historical archives)
Performance in Cup Competitions
In domestic cup competitions, the club has had varied results. Their best performance remains the 2017 Empress’s Cup final appearance. In recent years, they have typically been eliminated in earlier knockout rounds. This is often by top-tier opposition. In the WE League Cup, the team has consistently exited at the group stage.
Management and Key Players
Management
The club is currently managed by Tadashi Ogasahara . He was appointed in July 2024. He succeeded Masaaki Kanno. Kanno led the team from its start in 2012. He guided them through promotion and into the WE League era. He resigned at the end of the 2018 season and later returned for a second period.
Key Players & Club Legends
Over the years, several players have been central to Nojima Stella’s identity. They have also been key to its on-field efforts.
Arisa Minamino: The Enduring Striker
Arisa Minamino was a club icon. She was a crucial striker for Nojima Stella for a decade. Minamino led the team’s attack. She was also a top scorer in many seasons. She retired in May 2025. Her retirement marked the end of an era for the club.
Hikari Hirata: Midfield Consistency
Hikari Hirata became a professional at the start of the WE League. Hirata has been a consistent presence in the midfield for Nojima Stella.
Chinari Sasai: Rising Talent
Chinari Sasai is a young forward. She joined the club in 2022. Sasai has shown promise. She has been a regular feature in the squad. She contributes goals and has represented Japan at the youth international level.
The current squad includes a mix of veteran players and emerging talent. This includes Spanish midfielder Paola Soldevila.
Conclusion: The Future of the Stella
Nojima Stella Kanagawa Sagamihara represents a model of steady, community-focused club building. This is evident in Japanese women’s football. Their journey started in the Kanagawa prefectural league. Now they are a founding professional club. This journey shows consistent progress. On-field success in the highly competitive WE League has been challenging. However, the club’s commitment to its founding principles remains strong. These principles include developing players and engaging with the local community. This ensures its role as a stable and important member of the league. As the WE League continues to grow, Nojima Stella’s challenge will be to transform its off-field stability into improved competitive results.