Sports and play are an important part of a child’s proper, healthy development. Based on this vision, Johan Cruyff founded the Cruyff Foundation in 1997. Sport improves the fitness of children, teaches them to interact, and helps their personal development. Unfortunately, not every child can easily take part in sports and play, for example because of a lack of space.
We put this into practice by sports .
Through projects for children with special needs, by setting up outdoor sports facilities in deprived areas and social sports programs, we give children the space to take part in sports and be active. We do this all over the world, as it is necessary to help children anywhere in the world stay healthy and to work together to help them hold their own in this often complex society. In doing this, we are still working from Johan’s values: professional, self-willed, involved, positive, connecting, accessible, and passionate.
Our objective is to give children as much space as possible to play sports and be active, with special attention for children in need and a commitment to sustainability. We like to cooperate to achieve our objectives. This enables us to work in a sustainable way and to enhance our impact on the following four themes:
- Health
- Liveability
- Personal development
- Participation
Our social relevance is bigger than ever. Children spend more and more time in front of a screen and spend less time being active and playing outside. Their world is becoming more individualistic, while obesity is on the rise. In other places on the world, there is a lot of poverty, drug abuse, and gender discrimination. This prevents children from getting the most out of themselves and may even lead them astray.
Sport can make a change for all these children, as sport is a universal language for children, regardless of their background, culture, religion, or ability. Sport fosters personal development, self-confidence, and connection, things that every child, anywhere in the world, is entitled to. This is why the Cruyff Foundation creates space for children. To get and keep them active.