Since last year, Ference Lamp has been a member of the Dutch Board of the Johan Cruyff Foundation. Originally from Curaçao, he spent many years working in the financial sector and lived in various parts of the world. Drawing on his own background, he understands the importance of creating opportunities for youngsters.
WHAT ROLE HAS SPORT PLAYED IN YOUR LIFE?
"Sport has always been a part of my life. Growing up in Curaçao, it was usually football or baseball. I wasn't particularly good at football, but I was much better at baseball, so that's where I spent a lot of my time. What I love about sport is that it brings people together. And to be honest, I really enjoy watching sport as well."
WHAT APPEALS TO YOU MOST ABOUT THE CRUYFF FOUNDATION'S MISSION?
"For me, it all comes down to children. When you give young people opportunities, it can shape their entire future." He sees this reflected in his own family as well: "My father was the first of his brothers and sisters to have the opportunity to go to university. That changed things for the generations that followed. Today, going to university is something my children take for granted. It shows the difference that opportunities can make. Sport is a powerful way to create those opportunities. By being active, children develop in so many different ways."
"The need for sport and physical activity is only continuing to grow"
WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO HELP DRIVE FORWARD AS A BOARD MEMBER?
"The Foundation is already doing fantastic work. My own contribution is about helping to move things forward, step by step." Given his background, Ference naturally focuses on the financial side: "How do we ensure we have the resources to keep achieving our goals, and how do we use those resources where they can make the greatest impact? The need for sport and physical activity continues to grow. That's why it's so important that we make sure children can keep taking part."
WHICH OF JOHAN CRUYFF'S LESSONS HAS STAYED WITH YOU THE MOST?
"Try to look at things differently," he says without hesitation. He admires the way Johan Cruyff approached challenges: "Where others saw a problem, he came up with different solutions. To me, that was his greatest strength. I think there's something we can all learn from that. Rather than simply following the way things have always been done, it's important to be willing to take a different approach every now and then."