The 2025/2026 soccer season has now started with cup and league matches. Everyone is back from vacation (hopefully safe and sound), schools have started, and after all the hectic preparations, the fields and our beautiful complex look fantastic. In short, time to enjoy soccer again!
While many enjoyed a well-deserved vacation, several volunteers worked hard to get the complex ready for play. From membership administration, ordering clothing and materials, maintaining the fields, etc. Without this work, the competition couldn’t have started. A big thank you to all these volunteers!
There’s a lot “different” this year, so it’s good to highlight some changes separately.
The Canteen
With a makeover of the canteen, particularly the bar and kitchen area, the canteen has gotten a new look. Work started before summer and is now almost complete. The walls have been covered, new screens with many more features have been installed, and the kitchen has been almost entirely refurbished. We expect to replace the roller blinds soon and bar stools will be added.
After last season, Ella and Astrid said goodbye to their canteen duties. That will take some getting used to. Frank Hermans and Ruud Donker have been working hard over the past months to get everything organized, which we think has worked out quite well. Besides some familiar faces, you’ll also meet new volunteers who will do their best to be good hosts.
Wifi
Another big wish has come true: we now have a super-fast WiFi network, reaching all the way to field 6. QR codes are posted around the complex to log into the network. We’ll also soon have a fiber optic connection. We’re very happy with that too.
Sponsorship
The sponsorship committee has gathered many new board sponsors. So many that we’re going to set up a second ring for sponsor boards, behind the standing tribune across from field 3. This naturally means a nice source of income for the club.
New Website and Social Media
In recent months, we’ve worked hard on modernizing our website. This wasn’t just done overnight. Many files needed to be converted and adjusted. That’s why not everything works optimally yet. But it’s a start! When you visit the site now, you’ll see a completely renewed site, adapted to modern use with a fresh new color scheme.
The site can be linked to the screens in the canteen to quickly publish important information there as well. The social media channels, particularly Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn, are also getting a new look. The communication team consisting of Rosalie, Resy, Tim, and Marco has enthusiastically started their work.
Technical Staff
For years, it’s been quite a challenge to complete the technical staff. Providing every team from young to old with a trainer and supervisor is no easy task. Yet we’ve managed again (except for one team). With a new head trainer in Brian Yzebaart, we believe this gives the selection team a new impulse for the new season. And the first results are promising!
Our youth department has also received an enormous boost through the new Head of Youth Development Brent Klein – a worthy successor to Danny. Currently, we have several youth teams competing at division level, which we hope will bear fruit in the future. A familiar face has returned to work with the talented youngsters; Arie Jaap van Rijn, together with his son Jim van Rijn, will try to teach the youngest incoming players their first soccer skills.
In short, many volunteers haven’t been idle this summer. Thank you to all of them, and to everyone who visits our complex; express your appreciation to the bar staff, referees, the technical team, and everyone you know who does much or little for the club. They make it possible to enjoy this beautiful sport daily!
Kind regards,
Rob de Kleijn
