In Hamburg-Wilhelmsburg, a new Cruyff Court officially opened today! The Cruyff Court was developed by the Cruyff Foundation, with support from Action. Located on the grounds of Helmut-Schmidt-Gymnasium, the new sports and meeting space offers children and youngsters a place to play football, be active and connect with others in their neighbourhood.
Together with local pupils from Helmut-Schmidt-Gymnasium, former professional footballer and Cruyff Foundation ambassador Rafael van der Vaart officially opened the new Cruyff Court. Van der Vaart has a special connection to Hamburg, because he played for Hamburger SV.
Rafael van der Vaart said: “I am very happy to see a Cruyff Court open at this school in Hamburg. It is essential that the Johan Cruyff Foundation continues to promote social projects that foster values such as cohesion and social inclusion for children and young people through sport. I am very proud to be part of the social legacy of Johan Cruyff and to be able to continue what Johan started.”
A place for sport
Cruyff Court Hamburg is located on the grounds of Helmut-Schmidt-Gymnasium, which has more than 800 pupils. For years, pupils at the school had been hoping for a dedicated place to play football. Thanks to the Cruyff Foundation and Action, this wish has now become reality. The Court will serve the school's pupils and will also be open to children and youngsters from the neighbourhood, as well as other local schools and sports clubs. A running track around the Court and an adjacent basketball court offer even more opportunities to play sports and be active.
The project was developed in close cooperation with Bildungsbau Hamburg, the public organisation responsible for the development and management of school, university and sports facilities in Hamburg, with the support of Action.
Creating more space to play
Cruyff Court Hamburg has been realised in collaboration with Helmut-Schmidt-Gymnasium, Bildungsbau Hamburg and our partner Action. Since 2022, Action and the Cruyff Foundation have been working together to encourage children to be active through sport, supporting various sports initiatives and developing Cruyff Courts across Europe.
With the opening of more Cruyff Courts in Germany, the network of Cruyff Foundation Coaches will also grow. Teachers and local youth workers will be trained to organise and lead sports activities on the Courts, both during and after school hours. Inspired by Johan Cruyff's philosophy, they will use sport to bring youngsters together, develop life skills and turn the Cruyff Courts into vibrant meeting places within their communities.
Following the opening of the first Cruyff Court in Paris, three Courts in the Netherlands and one in Spain, Hamburg marks the sixth Court opened through the partnership and the first in Germany.
Hajir Hajji, CEO of Action, said: “Action and the Cruyff Foundation both believe that children should have the opportunity to be active. In the communities where Action stores are located, we want to provide children with a safe place to play sport and have fun. Today in Hamburg and soon in several other cities in Europe.”
Niels Meijer, Director of the Cruyff Foundation, said: “At the Cruyff Foundation, we believe in the power of sport to create better futures for children. Sport connects children and helps them grow. Thanks to our partnership with Action, we’re taking this vision to the next level. Together we’re building Cruyff Courts — safe, inclusive spaces where every child, including those with special needs, can play, connect and thrive.”
Photos: Raymond van Olphen.