Nadine (17 years) and Sanae (16 years) are Heroes and recently organised the final event of their Heroes of the Cruyff Courts project. Children from all around the neighbourhood participated in their football tournament.
The girls used to play on this Cruyff Court in Amsterdam-North as children, playing a game of football. They spent as much time as possible outdoors kicking a ball. Now they are the Heroes of the Cruyff Court and are organising an amazing tournament for the children in their neighbourhood. And their fellow Heroes? Those are the boys they have been running around the field with since they were six.
In action at the Cruyff Court
Heroes of the Cruyff Courts aims to make young people a role model for their neighbourhood and have them actively participate as well. The girls certainly do! They blow the whistle during the matches, create tournament schedules, arrange for sponsors and make sure there is fruit and water available.
Challenging process
Weeks of preparation preceded this: Nadine and Sanae completed their Heroes of the Cruyff Courts course in a few months. They worked towards a final event at the Cruyff Court. During this course, they learned to plan and organise, as well as to budget and consider sponsorship. They found the course and organising the event very educational. Nadine says, “Organising a tournament seemed easier to me than it is: you not only have to gather a group of children, but actually do everything! It takes a lot of time and was quite challenging. But it was fun to do!” Sanae adds, “It’s really nice to see that many children are participating in the tournament. The children also really enjoy it, so that makes it fun for us as well.
Playing outside and making friends
The girls really participate for the kids from the neighbourhood: “We want them to have fun and be able to play football. And really have something nice to do. We think it's important to give the children a sporty day.” says Sanae. Nadine agrees with her: “You also really see that you make a difference: there are not many kids who play outside anymore. They often sit inside on their phone. But now we organize something here, they come here to play nicely. Just to play outside, as I also did myself. The children can come together here, play football, make friends and be active. That's why I find it so nice and important to do it."
A step into the future
Getting involved with kids and organising things can be important for the future. Sanae wants to do something with youngsters later on, and maybe even become a youth worker. Nadine wants to play an active role, just like she did here: "Maybe I’ll go into media, or become an operating room assistant. As long as I can just do something."
Do you, as a sports professional, also want to start your Heroes of the Cruyff Courts project? Then pay a visit to this page.