Pieter Buist is a professional martial artist and trainer for special investigating officers (BOAs). He grew up in poverty and knows better than anyone how important it is to have opportunities. As an ambassador for the Youth Fund for Sports and Culture, he is committed to giving children that opportunity.

From street to success

I started with judo, fought over a hundred kickboxing matches, and eventually discovered MMA (Mixed Martial Arts). But there was also a period where I ended up out on the street. That was a turning point: I decided to pursue my dream. I had nothing to lose. I saw that successful people surround themselves with the right people. So I found a gym, trained every day, got a job, paid off my debts, and kept fighting—literally and figuratively. Eventually, I became a champion, again and again, until I could make a living from it.

The power of sport

I'm honored to be an ambassador because I know how important it is for children to have access to sports. My family couldn't afford kickboxing classes, but I was still allowed to join the competitive group. That was the first time I was good at something. When we couldn't afford the membership fee, I cried in the gym. My trainer saw that and gave me a chance: if I helped set up the boxing rings, I could keep training. That hard work has shaped me. Sports can truly make a difference in a person's life.

A world of difference

Growing up without money, you're left behind and feel left out, in my experience. Sports then mean so much more than just exercise – it brings you discipline, respect, perseverance, and a group of people who help you progress. For a child struggling, sports can be a source of support. I see that in the eyes of children struggling with themselves. If, as an ambassador, I can help such a boy or girl see that things can be done differently, then my mission has been accomplished.

Growing up without money leaves you feeling left behind and excluded. Sports means so much more than just exercise – it brings you discipline, respect, perseverance, and a group of people who support you.

Good example

I recently met a young man with a successful business. I knew him from back when he was going through a really tough time. Thanks to a sports program, he was able to turn his life around. I've also used sports to improve my life, and without realizing it, I've become a role model. That realization only hits me when others tell me so.

Shame and ignorance

Shame plays a big role, and sometimes I still feel it. Children and parents don't readily ask for help, even though it's readily available. That's why the Youth Fund is so important. It breaks the vicious cycle. Playing sports or music also means a brief escape from worries and stress. And I want that for every child. And what about swimming lessons, which the Youth Fund helps so many children with? That's truly unique in the Netherlands, that almost everyone can swim. These things should be accessible to every child.

Facts about Pieter

How old are you? I am 37 years old

What is your favorite sport? MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) of course!

Favorite song? Right now it's “Bachata Rosa” by Juan Luis Guerra, thanks to my Spanish girlfriend.

What are you proud of? On my world title in 2019, turning full-time pro, and recently finding happiness in love again.

What do you do if you win 1 million? Investing wisely, so it continues to grow and I can both make a living and help others. I come from poverty, so financial stability and avoiding financial stress are very concrete goals.

What do you want for children in Breda? The opportunity to discover themselves. Talent development should be a given for every child. This can make the difference between getting stuck and building a future.

Tony Demelinne is a proud ambassador for the Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur Fryslân (Frisian Youth Fund for Sports and Culture). As an ice hockey player for Unis Flyers, he experiences the value of sports every day. But back then, it wasn't a given: "If I hadn't made the first team at 12, my parents wouldn't have been able to afford my sport."

Now, as an ambassador, he's committed to giving all children the opportunity to join a club, even if they don't have enough money at home. Because sports should be accessible to everyone!

At Unis Flyers, the top club in the vibrant Thialf neighborhood, Tony can pursue his passion. And he wants every child to have that opportunity.

Watch Tony's work for the Youth Fund in this video [link].

"I experienced so much in my childhood. From the moment I started karate, my life changed," says Diego Nibte. Diego was the very first child to participate in sports thanks to the then-Youth Sports Fund. It's been 25 years since then, so it's time for a look back!

Bullying

As a child, I was a sweet, chubby little thing, very innocent and insecure, completely oblivious to the world. I was vulnerable to bullying, which started when I was 8 or 9. I was verbally and physically attacked by various children from all kinds of groups, both in the neighborhood and at school. The worst of the bullying came from the older children. I'm an only child, and I always told my mother everything; she knew about the bullying. One day, she had enough, and she talked to the administration, the teachers involved at my school, and even the parents of the children who were bullying me. I was given a different class and different recess, but that didn't offer much of a solution.

Youth Sports Fund

My mother wanted me to participate in sports because I was overweight, but there was no money for it. She worked at the Kraaiennest Youth Care office, where I spent a lot of time, and Harry Postma also worked there. The Amsterdam Youth Sports Fund had become a reality, and founder Harry came to our house himself to tell me I could sign up—the very first one. I could then choose between soccer, judo, or karate, and I knew right away it would be karate.

DIEGO: Everyone deserves the chance to play sports. In fact, sports should simply be free.

Ludwig Kotzebue, my karate master, my idol

I still vividly remember the first time I went to Ludwig Kotzebue's gym. I saw athletes sparring, and with a simple kick, someone was taken down. I thought, "That's awesome, I want to do that too."

Ludwig himself was a huge man, as wide as a door, someone to look up to, a great martial artist. I trained with him for 10 years, once or twice a week, until I reached a blue belt with three brown stripes. I won trophies, medals, and tournaments. Karate requires a lot of strength, so you become stronger and fitter.

Self-defense, standing up for yourself, that's what I had trouble with.

You become stronger through the techniques you learn in fighting, you learn to recognize your own strength, but if you truly have strength, you'd rather not start a fight yourself. There were a lot of fights before and after school, challenging each other, provoking each other. By then, I was much stronger, and if they really overstepped my boundaries, I could defend myself. That's how I gained respect, and the bullying stopped. Later, I also practiced several other martial arts, which is what taught me most of all: self-control.

Exercise is good for your health and character development

In addition to sports, there is also attention for culture in our family

When my mother and aunts were tidying up and cleaning, soul music was blasting. There was always music in our house. Many of my friends are in music, and I'm a kind of coach/advisor for them. I've also always drawn, mainly animations, characters from all kinds of cartoons, including Japanese ones. I took lessons for eight years at the drawing academy at the Overtoomse Sluis, from a friend of my mother's. I always carry a small notebook with me, and I turn special people around me into animated characters. Music and drawing make my life more beautiful.

Ambassador

"I owe a lot to Harry Postma; he was like a father figure to me. He often invited me along to all sorts of presentations and promotions for the Youth Fund. In the arena, at ABN-Amro, at the 10th anniversary celebration with Bert van Marwijk, with the 50,000th child who participated in sports through the Youth Fund, and even on the TV program Koffietijd (Coffee Time). Last June 4th, during the 25th anniversary celebration of the Youth Fund Sport & Culture Amsterdam, I had the opportunity to talk about how participating in sports changed my life. I loved seeing Harry again, and it was also wonderful that my karate master was there. I hadn't seen him for 13 years, and I immediately felt that same wave of respect as when I was a little boy. I truly feel like an ambassador for the Youth Fund, and I'm eager to play an active role again," Diego emphasizes enthusiastically.

I can no longer imagine life without sports, music and drawing

Lucas and Arthur Jussen are one of the most sought-after piano duos of our time. The brothers are also among the Netherlands' most renowned ambassadors for classical music and have a successful international career. Despite their busy lives, filled with concerts and recordings, they are also ambassadors for the Youth Fund for Sport & Culture.

Can choose

The brothers grew up in a family where everything was available. Tennis, classical music, pop music. "That was completely natural. But we also realize that for many children, it's not at all natural. The fact that they get the chance to participate through the Youth Fund is fantastic. You know, when you get the chance to experience different facets of life, like sports, music, social contacts, that's how you grow. You get to know the world better. And you don't always have to do something with it, but it's important that you experience it and have the freedom to choose."

Perseverance

If you want to achieve something, you have to work hard for it, and there are also things you can't do. Has there ever been the feeling that they missed out? "Of course, there are sometimes birthdays of family or friends that we can't attend. But then it's extra special when we are there," laughs Lucas. "We absolutely don't feel like we've had to sacrifice much. We get so much in return. And if you want to be good at something, whether it's soccer or piano, it requires perseverance and discipline. Of course, you have to give something up every now and then, but that's for something you love dearly. Moreover, our parents always kept a close eye on that balance. They made sure we actually went out with friends or went out on Friday nights. Playing the piano is our life, but our life isn't just about playing the piano."

From Stevie Wonder to Udo Jürgens

The brothers play classical music but enjoy many other styles. Arthur: “That's another thing we got from home. There was always music. Not just classical music, but everything from Stevie Wonder to Frank Sinatra and Udo Jürgens. Music we still love, especially Frank Sinatra, Bruno Mars, and Whitney Houston.”

We really hope we can contribute to the work of the Youth Fund. It's so important for children to develop. And that starts at home. You might be taken along to music class, ballet class, or a soccer game. Then it can suddenly click, and it can become important in your life. It's great to go for it and do your best to improve. We've found that the better you get, the more fun it becomes. As long as you find something you enjoy and love!

Mariska Beijer is a professional wheelchair basketball player and the current European, World, and Paralympic Champion with the Dutch national team! An incredible achievement. She also has a degree in Marketing and works as a freelancer for organizations including the BEN foundation, working to improve the image of wheelchair basketball in the Netherlands.

Since 2010, Mariska has moved to Gelderland to train full-time, and she's found her way to elite sports more than ever before. As an ambassador, I hope to help lower the barrier for parents to request (financial) assistance from the Youth Fund for Sport and Culture. By taking this step, you're offering your child a fantastic opportunity.

Grown into a sporty, social and happy person

As a child, I grew up in a broken home; my parents divorced at a young age. We were able to get by, but to pay for gas and take me to training, my mother relied on the Sports Fund in Den Helder. Thanks to this support, I eventually grew into an athletic, sociable, and happy person.

Sport is so much more than just exercise

Sports provide access to social connections. On a sports field, you learn how to interact with people, how to cope with setbacks, but also what it feels like to overcome. Sports is so much more than just exercise.

Everyone should have access to sports. This shouldn't depend on your parents' ability to pay for sports lessons or on your lack of transportation. That's why I think the work of the Youth Fund for Sports and Culture is so important. Thanks to their local connections, they can help young people where needed.

I want to tell parents that I understand that asking for (financial) help can sometimes be a daunting prospect, but by taking the step, you're offering your child a fantastic opportunity. More is possible than you might initially think.

Role model for everyone with a physical disability

It's wonderful to be a role model, especially if you, due to a physical disability, relied on a Sports Fund and reached the absolute top. The opportunities are there, but in some cases, you need to get or ask for help to get started.

That help has made many of my dreams come true. And do I have any more dreams for the future? My dream is to remain the best with the Dutch national team for as long as possible. I also want to play wheelchair basketball with as many people as possible. I do this through workshops, so they experience the sport and I can show them how awesome Paralympic sports are. For the Netherlands, I hope that more children/people will take up sports, and especially wheelchair basketball. Because that's, of course, the best sport!

Björn Koreman is a professional runner. He wants to inspire and motivate children, and show them that with the right attitude, anything is possible! Björn played handball for 15 years as a child. Sports were very important in his youth, especially for the friendships he built through it. His friends and handball were inextricably linked, both during and after sports. When he thinks back on his childhood, he mainly remembers the people he played with and the fun. At 21, he started running. A sporting challenge that led him to become a professional runner. He wants to inspire children with this: you can start a sport at any age. Running gives him a sense of freedom. It clears your head, because you're enjoying your sport. The relaxation, making friends, and sharing your passion with others—that's what he wants for every child!

Social skills

Developing (social) skills through sports, especially when played as a team, is incredibly helpful for children's further development and their social or athletic careers. In elite sports, he sees children who are isolated from the age of 12 onwards because they lack certain social skills. Björn's motivation for his sport is very clear: I never want to lose. A true winning mentality. Sometimes that was difficult in the past, because when you play in a team, you do it together. If someone else didn't play well, he would be very frustrated. He learned a lot from that.

Awareness

Björn believes it's important for children to spend less time in front of screens from a young age and to start exercising and moving more. He wants them to go outside instead of spending time on social media. On the other hand, he also realizes he needs social media to reach children. Through TikTok, he tries to inspire children and get them moving. Parents are crucial for getting children involved in sports. Parents need to be more involved and aware of the necessity and importance of sports for their child's physical health and development. To raise this awareness among young people, Björn gives lectures at secondary schools.

Participation in sports should be very accessible. Because the Youth Sports & Culture Fund covers the membership fees and supplies, a significant barrier has already been removed. This way, every child can participate! By taking advantage of this opportunity as a parent, you're helping your child now and in their later years.

Every child should be able to play sports, participate, make friends and develop!

Sports are part of it!

Finally, he wants to share how important sport can be in your life. Sport continues to play a role. It becomes a kind of identity. For everyone around him, sport is a recurring theme in life. Because it brings everyone beautiful things and goals. For each individual: a record, feeling like a child (again), health. Sport is part of it!
Every child should be able to play sports, participate, make friends and develop!

Facts about Björn

How old are you? 33 years old.
What is your favorite sport? Running. I enjoy watching all sports, such as darts, handball, and tennis.
What's your favorite song? I'm going for Callifornication by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, because I went to a concert of theirs with my handball team a while back and this song has been on my mind ever since.
What are you most proud of? Winning the Vienna Marathon with a time of 2:11.07. With this, I met the Olympic qualifying time and won the marathon!
What would you do if you won a million in the lottery? Doing fun things with my family, like going on vacation. Creating beautiful memories together.
What do you want for children in Breda? That sports are accessible to everyone.

What is your approach to teaching children to breakdance?

Duron is known as a singer and (voice) actor from The Voice Kids and the Junior Songfestival '23, where he won the reached the finals. On stage, microphone in hand, Duron feels at home: "My dream is to break through as an artist in the Netherlands or even abroad." At 14 years old, he's already well on his way to achieving his dreams. But it's not without its challenges. His motto? "Giving up isn't an option. Keep believing in yourself."

Perseverance

Duron is a musically talented boy, talking and singing are equal parts of him. His mother says she has been watching him since he was 2.^and He saw them happily moving along to African beats. "Children for Children was my favorite. I was hooked! I still sing along to the songs at the top of my lungs," says Duron. Without too many expectations, he auditioned for Children for Children. He only dropped out in the very last round. He felt so bad about this that he wanted to take singing lessons.

Singing

He took lessons at the Babette Labeij Music Academy in Amsterdam. He enthusiastically participated in The Voice Kids in 2020, but unfortunately, it didn't work out. His fame grew on social media platforms like Instagram. He then auditioned for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, but also failed the first time. He then landed the lead role of Bram in the musical Mathilde. However, it was postponed so often due to the coronavirus pandemic that his voice broke and he was replaced.

Chasing dreams

But Duron didn't give up and entered the Junior Eurovision Song Contest for the second time. There he took a shared 3rd place.^and place during the big live show, where he performed his song Magic in a sold-out Ahoy last September.”Magic is about the magic that makes all your dreams come true,” says Duron.

Giving up isn't an option; stay positive and keep doing your best. You have to keep believing in yourself, and everything will work out.

A celebrity in 2024?

Duron has been asked to be the singer for the Children's Music Week 2024. The song 'Energy' is released today. On March 1st, all primary schools will receive a completely free curriculum and will also get to know Duron. "It's fantastic that I'm the singer this year. With the song 'energy"I hope to inspire children to do something with music," says Duron. That's why he's also enthusiastic about being an ambassador for the Youth Fund Sport & Culture Amsterdam. "I think it would be great to show children what you're doing it for. Every child should have the opportunity to express themselves through sports or culture," Duron says.

Check out his latest video clip Party Tonight on Youtube
Instagram: @official.duronbigiman

© Portrait photo by Tamara Hoornweg Photography

Dance teacher, coach, and choreographer Nicholas Singer (also known as Shaker) has been an ambassador for the Youth Fund Sport & Culture Amsterdam since November 2023. He was born in Liberia at the age of 6.^and He came to the Netherlands with his mother. Shaker: "I've always felt like a second chance to make the most of life every day." And that's what he does: as the owner of Global Dance Centre, one of the largest dance schools in Amsterdam, he inspires many young people every day to follow their passion and develop their talents.

Passion

Shaker learned to play piano and guitar, but he always really just wanted to dance. His mother wasn't allowed to make dancing her profession because, in African culture, dancing is seen by some as something done for fun, or to seduce, Shaker says. But once in the Netherlands, his mother introduced him to the dance and music school: "I see it this way: my mother put me on the first step of the stairs and gave me the impetus to walk up." Finally, at 16, he got^and his mother's permission to fully pursue his passion, he put everything aside for dancing.

Raising awareness for the Youth Fund

This year, Shaker is coaching a new television program: Project Dance, in which unknown people showcase their dance talents, and 10 participants are selected and coached to the finals. "I immediately thought: this is the moment I have to become an ambassador for the Youth Fund for Sports & Culture. I want to raise awareness for the fund and inspire children to explore the art forms of dance and music. I hope parents and children think: maybe I can achieve something through dancing too!"

Shaker continues: "I want to make my voice heard because children get far too little exercise, and I speak the language of parents who have too much on their minds due to all sorts of problems. Financially, but also with other concerns." As an ambassador, Shaker hopes to reach children who sit in their rooms thinking, "I can't do it, I don't dare, it's not for me," and that they will finally try and take that first step. Even if it's just one.

It takes a village to raise a child

This African proverb is the basic idea behind the concept of Global Dance Centre, Shaker: “We have to do it together: listen to the voice of the school, the parents, the members, the teachers and everyone who cares about the school. There are clear rules, together we look after each other, together we form a kind of community“The school's DNA is passed on, as many alumni return to teach,” he says.

Dance school with a global character: everyone welcome

Shaker chose the name Global for his dance school because everyone, regardless of culture or country, should be able to dance at the school: hip-hop/street dance, African dance, dancehall, jazz, and ballet. "It's a dance school for children and young adults, but I also have a 79-year-old woman who does African dance," Shaker says. He adds that the first final performance at the Bijlmer Parktheater was one of the highlights of his life so far: "All those waving children on stage with all those parents in their Sunday best with flowers. That connection with parents and children—I really managed to create that."

Shaker's dream: a breeding ground for talent

"My dream is to transform a building somewhere in Amsterdam Zuidoost into a home where young people can engage in activities like dancing, singing, presenting, and so on," says Shaker, "a breeding ground for talent. An open house where the established order comes in to scout talent. Let the meeting happen; we need to find each other; come and see all that talent." His final message is: "Young people, if you want to achieve something: work hard, be yourself, show individuality, willpower, and your good intentions," says Shaker.

Nils Röseler, soccer player for Roda JC in Kerkrade, ambassador for the Limburg Youth Fund for Sports and Culture. "Money should never be an obstacle. That's why I'm committed to making sports accessible to all children." Even as a little boy, Nils was already playing ball. "A healthy and active lifestyle was important to my parents, so that was instilled in me from an early age. My father played soccer and my mother played volleyball, so sports were part of my upbringing. They often took me to matches, and that's how my love for the game developed. My parents always supported and encouraged me to reach my full potential. That's truly fantastic."

Learning to win and lose

For Nils, playing football was an important part of his life from a young age. "I loved playing in a team. You meet a lot of other guys; you become friends. You learn that at the club. What I also really picked up as a kid was learning to share and work together. These are skills that proved useful in life off the pitch as well. But most of all, I remember having fun together from that time. Playing in a team also means helping each other to be successful together. You learn to win and lose and how to interact with others in a fair and respectful way. It's easier to achieve goals when you do it together. And it's also more fun to share things with each other afterward; celebrating victories, but also processing defeats or bad experiences. Everything is easier together. Through all these experiences I experienced with my fellow players, I made friends for life."

Money is no obstacle

Nils believes sports are good for children's development. He sees benefits both physically and socially. "It's a fun way to exercise and get fit. You also make friends and learn to function as a team, working together toward a goal." That's why he believes it's important for all children to experience this. "Money shouldn't be an obstacle to joining a club. I'd like to help raise awareness of the Youth Fund for Sports and Culture. I'd like to raise awareness of the opportunities for parents and children to ask for help. I'd like to give every child the opportunity to experience the club spirit."