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Groningen | March 26, 2024

Lindsey with the help of the Youth Fund on football

Every Tuesday afternoon, 10-year-old Lindsey meets with several other children in the living room of WIJ Hoogkerk in Groningen. Under the supervision of childcare workers Theresa Nanninga and Janny Boer, they form the "Be You" group. They create a safe space for children in grades 5 through 8 to connect, have fun, and develop their skills. She is taken there by taxi from her special education school. It's a place to discover what you enjoy and what you might even be good at.

It was all settled within two weeks

Theresa: "As soon as I saw Lindsey with a ball at her feet, and especially the enjoyment she had, I knew this was a perfect sport for her." She and her mother, Bianca, were already exploring which sport would suit Lindsey best. After a few trial sessions at HFC '15, it was immediately clear that Lindsey wanted to pursue this. Because the family's current financial situation didn't allow Lindsey to join the club, Theresa submitted an application to the Youth Fund for Sports & Culture. Within two weeks, it was finalized, Lindsey was officially a member, and with a gift certificate she could pick up new soccer shoes.

A big surprise

She's been training with a great team for several months now, under the guidance of coaches Max and Joery. She's even played her first matches. She didn't win every match, but she had a lot of fun. Because of her enthusiasm and the significant development she's already made, Theresa and Janny wanted to put her and her mother in the spotlight. Together with coordinator Martina Haak-Snoek of the Groningen Youth Sports & Culture Fund, they arranged a big surprise for Lindsey. She received the special "Word Groter" ball, along with a water bottle, a ball pump, and soccer cones so she can practice at home every day. In addition, FC Groningen has provided tickets so she and her parents can go to a match at the stadium soon.

See what participating does for a child

On her club's soccer field, ready to take a few photos, she beams with enthusiasm and joy. Chasing her new ball, she dribbles across the entire field before quickly taking another sip from her new water bottle. For the photo, she demonstrates her scoring skills. She can't wait to show her class, coaches, and team what she's received. It's wonderful to see firsthand what participating does for a child. With a proud childcare worker and an even prouder mother on the sidelines. This is precisely what the Youth Fund is designed to do: enable all children to participate.

• Are you as a professional also involved with children/families? Become an intermediary so that, like Theresa, you can ensure that children can become members of the club if there is (temporarily) no money for it at home.
• As a parent, would you also like your child to become or remain a member of a club, but is it difficult to pay the membership fee? Then submit a request to us.