May 18, 2020

Can I join in again later?

Due to the coronavirus crisis, more and more families are experiencing financial difficulties. As a result, parents can no longer afford their children's sports clubs and cultural activities. Sports and cultural activities are crucial for children's physical, mental, and social development. With the "Can I join in again soon?" campaign, we're letting these families know they can count on us. More children will soon be unable to participate.

The importance of going to the football club or street dance class, for example, has become increasingly clear in recent weeks. But even now that sports fields are reopening, participation isn't a given for every child.

In the Netherlands, over 272,000 children are growing up in poverty (source: SCP). That's two (2!) children in every classroom. They don't have the opportunities that their peers take for granted. We fear that the number of poor families will only increase due to the coronavirus crisis.

Don't let children suffer from the corona crisis and ensure they can continue to play sports and exercise.

Director Monique Maks"For a wealthy country like the Netherlands, far too many children and young people have been living in poorer families for years. Now that many companies are cutting back and collapsing, unemployment and, with it, poverty in our country will only increase. Children should not suffer as a result, and that's why we're calling on families to contact us. We must continue to make sports and culture accessible to these children."

Physical, mental and social benefits

On the sports fields or at dance or music school, children discover what they love, make new friends, and acquire valuable skills. Low-income families can no longer afford the fees and lessons. Maks believes that this crisis will put more families in dire straits: "The reality is that children and young people who used to go to the football club, dance school, or judo club every week will be sidelined in the new season because their parents can no longer afford the membership fees or tuition. This cannot and should not be the case. That's why we're launching this campaign. We want to show that we're there for families in need. Even now.