Although the number of registrations for sports activities has returned to pre-coronavirus levels, we see that registrations for cultural activities, such as music lessons, are lagging behind.¹ BMC's findings show that financial barriers still play a significant role, especially in music lessons, where the personal contribution is too high for many families. To lower these barriers and give more children the opportunity to participate in music lessons, we have launched a pilot program in collaboration with the Municipality of Amsterdam with nine music providers, temporarily increasing the maximum reimbursement.

^{1 BMC (August 14, 2023). Research report on reaching girls aged 13 to 18. A study by BMC commissioned by the Youth Sports Fund and
Culture Amsterdam.} 

The municipality of West Betuwe is extending its partnership with the Youth Fund for Sport & Culture for a four-year period. Aldermen Wil Kosterman and Jan de Geus signed the agreement on April 3rd. "Every child in our municipality should be able to participate. If money is a problem for your family, we're happy to help," De Geus explains. 

The municipality of West Betuwe wants all children to have access to sports, dance, music, or theater, regardless of their parents' financial situation. Alderman De Geus: "By extending the agreement with the Youth Sports & Culture Fund, no children will be left behind. This way, every child can continue to develop socially, physically, and emotionally. And do what they enjoy. That's important for their personal development."

Swimming diplomas

Residents are gratefully taking advantage of the program. In 2023, 216 successful applications were submitted. "This makes fun cultural activities accessible to children. We received many applications for soccer, fitness, and dancing. Many children have also earned their A swimming certificate thanks to the Youth Fund," Alderman Kosterman explains. In the coming years, there will be a greater focus on obtaining B and C swimming certificates through the Youth Fund.

Make a request

Parents can only apply to the Youth Fund for Sports & Culture through an intermediary. This could be a teacher, community sports coach, debt counselor, or a member of the Social Team or Welzijn West Betuwe. They can also properly assess a child's eligibility. If the application is approved, the Youth Fund will pay the membership fee or tuition. Often, a program can begin within three weeks. For more information, visit the municipality's website or contact Marjet Koets at Welzijn West Betuwe.

Photo: Dorine van der Bruggen (general board member of the Youth Fund Sports & Culture), Alderman Jan de Geus, and Alderman Wil Kosterman sign the extended agreement between the Youth Fund and the municipality of West Betuwe.

Feest!! En daar hoort taart bij.

Vanaf 01-01-2023 is het Jeugdfonds Cultuur Limburg en Jeugdfonds Sport Limburg gefuseerd. Vanaf heden gaan wij dan ook verder onder de naam Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur Limburg. Hiermee bundelen wij onze krachten en kunnen er meer kinderen en jongeren in Limburg bereikt en ondersteund worden bij het beoefenen van sport en cultuur. Wij hebben er in ieder geval zin in om vanaf 2023 onder één naam verder te gaan en  samen ervoor te zorgen dat wij zoveel mogelijk kinderen en jongeren kunnen laten meedoen aan sport en cultuur.

Met deze fusie neemt de voorzitter van Jeugdfonds Cultuur Limburg afscheid. Petra Dassen zal na 7 jaar als voorzitter van het Jeugdfonds Cultuur Limburg het stokje overdragen aan Birgit op de Laak. Petra Dassen zal als ambassadeur aan het Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur Limburg verbonden blijven.

Sponsored walk

Cool After School, a sporty after-school program in Haarlem, organizes various sports, games, and activities year-round to encourage and support children's development. From wakeboarding to biathlon and from cycling to karate, these children learn and can do it all. But Cool After School recognizes that having childcare and joining a sports club isn't a given for all children.That's why Cool After School organised a sponsored walk with all participating parents/guardians and children, where they raised money for the Haarlem Youth Fund for Sports & Culture.

 Cool Kids on the course at HCHMC Saxenburg

Cool After School thoroughly explained the reason for the run to the kids, and they launched with incredible dedication. They ran three times a day for 30 minutes for a week to ensure maximum fundraising. In high temperatures, the children, with the support of their sponsors and mascot Cas Kardinaal, managed to conquer a sporty and challenging course of approximately 350 meters. The Cool After Schoolers had to jump over hurdles, climb several raised platforms, crawl under the tarp, and then race through the inflatable obstacle course. When the final minute whistle blew, even the youngest bravely started an extra lap.

Proud proceeds of €3000.

Each round earned the children a donation, and as a group, they ultimately raised €3,000 for the Haarlem Youth Sports & Culture Fund. The amount raised is fantastic. It demonstrates how motivated the kids and their sponsors are to ensure that more children from less-affluent families can still join a sports club. Cool After School is incredibly proud of this event and hopes to contribute to giving children the opportunity to participate in sports, because sports are for everyone.

Thanks to all the cool kids, parents/guardians, sponsors, and Cool After School!

Click here to set up a campaign for the Haarlem and Zandvoort Youth Fund

Caspar van Dijk

World, European and Dutch Hockey Champion Caspar van Dijk has been playing for top club Bloemendaal since 2019. Together with teammate and good friend Tom Hiebendaal he has become an ambassador for the Youth Fund Sport & Culture Amsterdam because he believes it is important that every child deserves the same opportunities.  

Sports & development

From a young age, Caspar was always outdoors. He spent entire days playing ball with friends in his neighborhood playground and later at the hockey club. "Exercising together is incredibly important for both your physical and social development. Not every child has the opportunities I once had. I want to give children the chance to develop through sports. That's why I'm passionate about supporting the Youth Sports Fund." & Culture Amsterdam."

Copyright (c) Koen Suyk

Successes

I've been playing hockey since I was seven. Soon, the training hours increased, and hockey became more serious for me. I've won trophies with various clubs and national teams. For example, I won the world championship with the Dutch indoor team, the European championship on the field with the Dutch Juniors, two national championships with my club Bloemendaal, and last year we won the EHL. I hope to inspire children with my experience.

Children should have the opportunity to develop themselves through sports. I want to work hard to make that happen!

Instagram: @casparvandijk

After a successful first edition in 2019, we're bringing urban culture back to the Cruyff Court on July 20, 2020. Now that children are allowed outside again, many families aren't going on vacation, and it's important for children to be active outdoors, we're offering a four-week summer program. During the workshops, which combine sports and culture, one of the instructors proposed a creative challenge: an interactive quiz on various topics, including gute Wettanbieter für UFCThis was done to inform young people about sports betting, responsible gaming, and the growing popularity of MMA. We invite as many children and young people (ages 8-15) from Haarlem-Oost and the surrounding area as possible to participate. This way, they can look forward to an active summer exploring culture. The Cultuur@CruyffCourts workshops are free.

Program

When
July 20th to August 14th, 2020, daily for four weeks between 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM.
Where
Cruyff Court Parkwijk on Leonard Springerlaan in Haarlem
For whom
Young people aged ±8-15 years from Parkwijk and nearby neighborhoods
What
Choose a series of four lessons from one of the following workshops: bucket drumming, breakdancing, hip hop, freestyle football and basketball, and storytelling theater. There's a different series of lessons every weekday.

Click here for the program in Haarlem.

Festive closing

The final workshop will be held on August 14th. We'll conclude Cultuur@CruyffCourt with Alderman Meijs, and there will be a spectacular performance by freestyle football hero Nasser El Jackson!

Want to know and see more?

• Read the beautiful article in the national Magazine for Neighborhood Sports Coaches or
• watch the video report from 2019.

Do you know a young person aged 8-15 from Parkwijk or nearby neighborhoods (such as Schalkwijk, Slachthuisbuurt, etc.)? Let them know about this program! Do you have any questions? Contact us via: philipschemmekes@triplethreat.nl or haarlem@jeugdfondssportencultuur.nl

What is Culture@CruyffCourts?
The Youth Fund for Sport & Culture and the Johan Cruyff Foundation are joining forces to give children and young people from disadvantaged neighborhoods access to sports and culture close to home: at the Cruyff Courts. In addition to the existing sports offerings, children will also have the opportunity to experience (urban) cultural activities. These are provided by local cultural providers to lower the threshold for regular follow-up lessons. Do parents have a Haarlem Pass, then the Youth Fund can help with the payment of these follow-up lessons.

The Haarlem summer edition is produced by Triple ThreaT and made possible by donations from the Haarlem Cultural Incentive Fund, the Reformed Orphanage, the JC Ruigrok Foundation, and the Union Haarlem Foundation. National sponsors include the Friends Lottery and the Fund for Cultural Participation.

Cultuur@CruyffCourt is being held in Haarlem East, because that's where the Cruyff Court is located. The program is tailored, where possible, to neighborhood offerings from partners such as Dock and Sport Support. See Summer program flyer east.