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Why is the Johan Cruyff Foundation expanding with Special Heroes? 

The Cruyff Foundation has been active in the field of disability sports for quite some time. We do this through sports facilities and sports participation initiatives, but also through collaborations with national and international foundations that, like us, are committed to supporting children with disabilities. In addition, we support larger initiatives from clubs, foundations, and special education schools by providing extra materials or additional guidance. All with the aim of making sports as accessible as possible for children with disabilities. To ensure we can continue doing this for children and young people with disabilities in the future, we are expanding our disability sports activities with the Sport & Physical Activity programs of Special Heroes. 

When will the expansion with Special Heroes take effect? 

The expansion will officially take effect on August 1. Until then, we are working hard behind the scenes on the transition from the Special Heroes Netherlands Foundation to the Cruyff Foundation. 

Why will Special Heroes Netherlands stop at the end of 2026? 

This is due to the loss of a subsidy from the Dutch Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS). Without this subsidy, it is not possible to continue providing support and creating impact in the same way and under the same conditions. Therefore, the Special Heroes Netherlands Foundation has decided to focus on preserving the impact of its work for young people with disabilities through transfers to partner organizations, including the Cruyff Foundation. 

Which activities will the Cruyff Foundation take over exactly? 

The Cruyff Foundation will take over the Sport & Physical Activity learning pathway, including introductory lessons, introductory clinics, ShuffleSports, ClubExtra, and cycling and traffic education. From the Work & Participation learning pathway, the programs Junior Sports P.A. and I am Sports P.A. will be taken over. The project leaders from Special Heroes will also join the Cruyff Foundation as of August 1, 2026, ensuring that all knowledge and experience from Special Heroes is retained. The Team12 intervention will also become part of the Cruyff Foundation. 

How will the transition to the Johan Cruyff Foundation be organized? 

As of August 1, our project leaders will continue working on the Special Heroes learning pathways under the Cruyff Foundation banner. They will continue to coordinate, implement, and support the schools’ plans in the familiar way. 

What will happen to the other learning pathways of the Special Heroes Netherlands Foundation? 

The other learning pathways of the Special Heroes Netherlands Foundation will be taken over by other partner organizations. These will therefore not become part of the Cruyff Foundation. Once these partner organizations are confirmed, the project leaders will inform the relevant stakeholders. 

Will anything change in the support provided to schools? 

As the offering will be divided among several partner organizations, schools will receive support from different collaborative partners. The Sport & Physical Activity learning pathway will be managed by the Cruyff Foundation. The familiar project leaders will remain the main point of contact. As of August 1, 2026, they will be employed by the Cruyff Foundation and can be reached through a new Cruyff Foundation email address. 

Will existing agreements or contracts automatically be taken over? 

Absolutely! Nothing will change in that regard during the upcoming school year. 

Can schools continue using the same materials, methodologies, and working methods? 

Yes, the same materials can continue to be used. They may appear in a slightly updated form or look and feel, with a touch of the Cruyff Foundation identity, but the content will remain the same. Your project leaders will inform you how access to the relevant materials will continue or how access can be arranged. 

Where can we go with questions about the next steps or our specific situation? 

Please contact your project leader with questions about your specific situation: 

Where can I go with other questions about disability sports? 

Please visit this page for more information about what we do in the field of disability sports, or email us at gehandicaptensport@cruyff-foundation.org.