On Sunday, October 6, the renovated Cruyff Court Egoli in Amsterdam-SouthEast officially was reopened under its new name: Cruyff Court Ryan Gravenberch. As of today, the court wears the name of Gravenberch, who won the Johan Cruyff Prize for Talent of the Year in 2021.
The opening was festively celebrated in the presence of Ryan's family, local residents and many children from the neighborhood. Many enthusiastic children came to watch their idol on this sunny afternoon. After beautiful words from Ryan Gravenberch, in which he expressed his great honor, a special opening match was scheduled; the young talent team of AFC Ajax O10 took on a team of kids from the neighborhood, in an exciting 6-on-6 match!
The match symbolized the connection between a soccer hero from Amsterdam-SouthEast and the new generation of soccer players from this neighborhood. The kids from the neighborhood got the chance to show their soccer skills on the brand new pitch and played full of energy and fun, coached and encouraged by Ryan Gravenberch himself.
After the opening game, the soccer tournament of Soccer For Safety, a social initiative that emphasizes the power of sports to bring young people together and make them aware of the importance of a safe environment, began.
The importance of Cruyff Courts
Ryan also made his first meters on a Cruyff Court: “I spend many hours on a Cruyff Court and the fact that a Cruyff Court is now named after me is something I am very proud of.”
A place where children and young people in the neighborhood can freely play sports and develop. Ryan Gravenberch, born in Amsterdam, is proud that this very court in his old neighborhood now wears his name.
Talent of the Year
The Cruyff Court Ryan Gravenberch came about thanks to the participants of the Friends Lottery who helped make this court possible. The Johan Cruyff Prize has been awarded to the Talent of the Year since 2003. With this prize, Johan Cruyff wanted to give young footballers a push towards an even better future and help them do something in the social field.