In the Haveltermade district of Meppel, a new Cruyff Court officially opened today! On the site of a former small football pitch, there is now a multifunctional sports and meeting space with facilities for football and 3x3 basketball. A place where children and youngsters from the neighbourhood can come together to play, exercise and meet each other.
Together with children from the neighbourhood, FC STRAAT founder, street footballer and Cruyff Foundation ambassador Soufiane Touzani officially opened the new Cruyff Court and enthusiastically cheered on the children during one of the first matches on the pitch. This was followed by an afternoon of sport and activities, including a basketball clinic by Olympic 3x3 basketball champion Dimeo van der Horst, as well as various activities for children such as face painting and a silent disco.
Soufiane Touzani said: “Football starts on the streets. Outside, together, with a ball at your feet. This Cruyff Court is more than just a football pitch. Football connects people, and with the opening of this court we hope to inspire even more children to be active on the pitch.”
A place for sport and connection
The Cruyff Court is located in a central area of the neighbourhood, close to schools and other local facilities. The need for a renewed sports space came directly from residents and children in the area. With the addition of a 3x3 basketball court, the space reflects the sports that are most popular in the neighbourhood.
Councillor Alfred Peterson of the municipality of Meppel attended the opening and sees the Cruyff Court as an important space for the community: “For us as a municipality, this is much more than just a sports field; it is a place where children meet, play sport together and develop themselves. This is an investment in the future of Haveltermade.”
Weekly activities on the Court
A Cruyff Court is more than just a sports pitch. Sports professionals from Meppel Actief and a youth worker from Welzijn MensenWerk will organise weekly sports and play activities on the Court. They will also launch Heroes of the Cruyff Courts. In this programme, youngsters from the neighbourhood learn how to organise their own activities and events on the Court. This gives them the opportunity to develop their talents and contribute to a positive atmosphere in the community.
You can't do it alone, you have to do it together
Cruyff Court Meppel has been realised in collaboration with the municipality of Meppel, the Cruyff Foundation, Action and the Province of Drenthe. As an active partner in the communities where Action stores are located, Action aims to provide children with a safe and accessible place where they can enjoy being active by playing sport together.
Since 2022, Action and the Cruyff Foundation have been working together. Action supports various sport initiatives of the Foundation. Through this partnership, Action contributes within the Action Sustainability Programme to a better future for children.
The Cruyff Court in Meppel is the fifth Court opened within the partnership and the third in the Netherlands. In the coming years, more Cruyff Courts will follow in the Netherlands and in other countries where Action is active, including Germany and France.
Wouter de Backer, General Manager Netherlands at Action, said:
“At Action and the Cruyff Foundation, we believe every child should have the opportunity to be active. As an engaged partner in the neighbourhoods where our stores are located, we want to provide local children with a place to play sport, be active and have fun together. Today in Meppel, and soon in more European cities.”
Photos: Marielle van Opbergen.