Youth Fund Youth Fund Sports & Culture sees families asking for help increase by 20 percent page

Youth Fund Sports & Culture sees a 20 percent increase in families asking for help | September 4, 2023

Youth Fund Sports & Culture sees families asking for help increase by 20 percent

Growing poverty affects child development

The Youth Fund for Sports and Culture is seeing a significant increase in applications from families who, due to poverty, cannot afford membership fees or tuition for a sports or cultural club. In the first half of 2023, 49,541 children and young people paid for memberships, a whopping 20 percent increase compared to the same period last year. This demonstrates a growing need for assistance with children's access to sports and cultural activities. With the "Choose a Club" campaign, which launches today, the Youth Fund for Sports and Culture is once again drawing attention to this problem. And it's more urgent than ever.

Especially important now
A survey by NU.nl in July 2023 revealed that the costs of sports club memberships, among other things, are becoming unaffordable for a growing number of parents. Families with children, in particular, are no longer able to make ends meet with the social minimum. This causes stress, isolation, mental health issues, and declining health, among other things. Currently, an average of two to three children per class are growing up in families with financial worries, preventing them from participating in football, street dance, judo, swimming, or music lessons. Based on the caretaker government's plans for next year, the number of people in the Netherlands living below the poverty line is expected to remain the same.

The increase in inquiries is also visible in Breda, which is why it's crucial now more than ever to ensure that all children and young people, regardless of their financial situation, can join a sports or cultural club. "Being a member of a club is essential for a child's development. It keeps them active, makes friends, builds self-confidence, and has fun!" says Jeroen Meeuwissen, chairman of the Youth Fund for Sports and Culture in Breda. Being part of a club also promotes social equality and even leads to better academic performance.

Indispensable solution for children
The Youth Fund for Sports and Culture pays the membership fees and tuition for children growing up in families with limited funds for sports and cultural activities. In this way, the Youth Fund for Sports and Culture offers support, giving thousands of children and young people the opportunity to join a club and grow together.
Remy Bonjasky is an ambassador for the Youth Fund and explains its importance. “I do it for children who are struggling. I think it's important to pass on what I've experienced and learned along the way to the next generation. I want to help children who are less fortunate in their search for themselves and their health. I really want to do my part to encourage these children and make it clear to parents that sports are truly good for every child.”

Kwame Agyapong-Ntra (40), an intermediary for the Youth Fund for Sports & Culture and better known as Master Kwame, knows better than anyone how important sports can be for a child. “When I was 9, I moved from Ghana to Amsterdam Zuidoost. Someone gave me two tennis rackets for my birthday. Cheap plastic things that broke very quickly, but my brother Kofi and I loved them. Neighbor Tine saw us and got us new rackets and balls. In no time, the whole neighborhood was playing tennis. Tennis has given us so much: team spirit, teamwork, and discipline.” Kwame now helps hundreds of children with his homework institute and was named Amsterdammer of the Year in June.

Intermediary Davud Altin also learned the importance of participating in sports as a child: "From the age of 12, I was allowed to participate in sports through what was then the 'Youth Sports Fund.' I played soccer and later judo; I even received the necessary equipment, such as soccer shoes!" He developed a great love for sports and now inspires children himself as a sports teacher.

About the Youth Fund Sports & Culture Breda
The Youth Sports & Culture Fund pays the membership fees and tuition for children and young people from families who don't have enough money for sports or cultural activities. We pay the membership fees and tuition directly to the sports or cultural club where the child joins or takes lessons. The Youth Sports & Culture Fund is part of "Sam& for all children."

The Youth Fund for Sports & Culture Breda in figures. JFSC-Breda_Factsheet-2022.pdf (jeugdfondssportencultuur.nl)

About 'Choose a club'
The "Choose a Club" campaign launches today, at the start of the new sports and cultural season, and runs until September 30th. The campaign aims to let parents know they can easily apply for help paying for their child's sports or cultural activities via www.kieseenclub.nl.