Champions For Children » Blog Archive » Almere: Clarence Seedorf Playground opening

Almere: Clarence Seedorf Playground opening

There are times when the dreams of some become reality for many. This is what has happened the 20th of September in the town of Almere, in Holland. Echnaton public school and the community of Almere, with the alderman of sport Henk Smeeman and Clarence Seedorf opened the Clarence Seedorf Playground Sept 20th, near the activity centre, Stedenpunt, Kampenweg 3 in Almere-Stad. The project has been in the works for over three years and is the brainchild of Renè Maertens from Echnaton public school. With the support of the local administration, Clarence Seedorf as ambassador through his foundation Champions for Children, the province Flevoland, the ministry of OC&W, the Orange Foundation (Oranjefonds), housing corporations Ymere, GoedeStede and the Alliantie, Richard Krajicek Foundation, Cruyff Court knvb fields who brought together the finances, Arcadis and Oranjewoud who physically carried out the building of the playground and Sport2000 who generously discounted materials, “the dream of many has been made a reality,” says Seedorf.
Taking a large stretch of grass (160 x 80 m2) currently used only twice a year as a parking and circus space, the Playground project utilizes half of this area (app. 6,400m2) to create a soccer field with artificial turf, a tennis area, basketball area and multi-use areas (badminton, volleyball, “boules” played predominately by older community members).
“I not only want this playground to be a facility where kids can only play sports but, also want it to be a place were kids could develop their social and emotional skills,” says Seedorf.
Kicking off at 2pm on Sept 20th, in the town of Almere, 200 children from the Almere elementary schools attended a warm up given by Echnaton students. Attending the ceremony was Mr. Seedorf, the Town Aldermen, Members of the Krajicek and Cruyff foundation and project initiator and coordinator René Maertens. The 200 other special guests and all press attending will be invited to try out the new playground and the “pillar” which contains the names of all of the sponsors will be unveiled.
“The Almere elementary school and Echnaton students today can touch something real that I hope has a positive influence in their lives. I know that already in my day as a kid here, I was given encouragement and support. Echnaton teachers and staff had, and still have, the rare gift of looking ahead. Instead of making due, they want to make a difference,” says Seedorf, “and this playground is not anyone’s, it is everyone’s. I am proud to be part of a team effort to make this dream a reality.