The Cruyff Foundation helps children move up by being active. In the Netherlands, the UK and Spain, but also far beyond those borders.
At the end of November, the Cruyff Foundation visited South Africa together with Johan Cruyffs wife Danny Cruyff and ambassador Ronald Koeman to step into Johan Cruyffs footsteps and (re)opened three Cruyff Courts! It was an unforgettable journey.
In 2004, the very first international Cruyff Court was opened in the South African township Elandsdoorn, 200 kilometres North of Johannesburg, where the dedicated Dutch doctor Hugo Tempelman ran a clinic. To give the local youngsters a perspective by offering them sports possibilities he reached out to Johan Cruyff. Johan was convinced straight away and decided to bring the Cruyff Courts concept to South Africa. Soon after this first Cruyff Court in South Africa, there were more to follow. During the World Championships in 2010 the Netherlands National team opened the Orange Cruyff Court in the neighborhood Hillbrow in Johannesburg.
Now, almost fourteen years later, the Cruyff Foundation visited South Africa again. We went back to Hillbrow for the re-opening of the fully renewed Orange Cruyff Court. Once more, it is now a safe place for local kids to play. A great collaboration between KNVB World Coaches and the coaches that guide youngsters!
We revisited Elandsdoorn – a very special moment because Johan and Danny were here together in 2004. We opened a brand new Cruyff Court in the township of Bloempoort, a collaboration with Hugo Tempelman’s Ndlovu Care Group and the Tjommie Foundation. Finally, we visited Capetown for the opening of the Cruyff Court Ajax Cape Town, together with Ajax Cape Town.
The smiling faces, the enthusiasm of the kids and the warm welcome we experienced at every opening prove that the realization of those Cruyff Courts are of the incredible value, also in South-Africa.
Watch the video of Ronald Koeman and Danny Cruyff in South Africa below.