Cruyff Courts are a place for youth like Adam (13 years old) to further develop themselves. Cruyff Foundation Coaches - community sports coaches and youth workers - offer various programs, including Heroes of the Cruyff Court. Adam participated in this with his friends, and together they organized "FC STRAAT" qualifiers for the entire neighbourhood.
“His confidence is visibly growing, and he dares to take the lead," says Joost Hogerwerf, who works as a social worker in sports at Welzijnskwartier. Adam is 13 years old, lives in Katwijk, and often participates in the activities organized by Joost and his colleagues. This includes Heroes of the Cruyff Court. "Organizing a tournament yourself, a national "FC STRAAT" tournament. Yeah, that is really cool!"
Connection between coaches and youths
"Adam moved to Katwijk five years ago, and since then, we've been seeing each other about twice a week. Just outdoors, or during the activities we organize," social worker sport Joost explains.
Community sports coaches and youth workers play a crucial role for young people. By using sports among other things as a means, they come into contact with each other in an accessible way and stay informed about what's happening in a neighborhood. This contributes to a stronger, more enjoyable, and safer community. Over the past few years, Adam and Joost have developed a strong bond. Adam shares: "I know that if something happens, I can always come to Welzijnskwartier. Even if something happens at school or at home, for example."
"Welzijnskwartier operates in the dune and flower region and is involved in prevention, advice, support, healthy lifestyle (Sports and Exercise), participation, and integration, among other things. One of the locations where they are active is the Cruyff Court in Katwijk. Joost explains: "On a regular playground, such as a grass field near a playground, we notice that we can not apply our rules, our behavioral norms and values, properly. For example, on a Cruyff Court, we can convey this better. For instance, young people are sent home if they go too far. They are not welcome for the rest of the day. Of course, they are welcome to join again the next day."
Heroes of the Cruyff Courts
The Heroes of the Cruyff Courts program focuses on youths who - under the guidance of a Cruyff Foundation Coach - organize an event at the Cruyff Court. The youths organize everything themselves within eight weeks: from creating a match schedule to recruiting sponsors.
Adam is now also one of the Heroes of the Cruyff Courts, and he has learned a lot from this experience: "Every week, we worked in groups on the event. My friends and I got to do a lot of things ourselves. We had to buy supplies, create match schedules, come up with side events, invite children, and even referee ourselves. I found learning to referee and having to organize everything myself the most enjoyable!"
Joost explains: "While refereeing, Adam learned to deal with criticism from the players. When we referee and the youths disagree with the decision made, they make sure to let us know. We thought it was important to let them experience firsthand what it's like to be the referee themselves." When asked if Adam will behave differently towards Joost and his colleagues while refereeing from now on, he laughs and responds, "Haha, no!"
