EFDN welcomes SC Heerenveen to the Network!
SC Heerenveen has joined the European Football for Development Network. The club from the North of the Netherlands is the 16th Eredivsie side within the Network and has its own unique character. With football as a tool and with a strong connection with their community, they focus on building a hopeful future for all. By connecting to EFDN, they want to make an even more positive impact in society.
The societal mission at SC Heerenveen and its Foundation is to strive for a vital and healthy community, encompassing Heerenveen, its immediate surroundings, and the province of Fryslân. They welcome everyone, with a particular focus on vulnerable target groups. An inclusive and supportive community is aimed to be created where personal growth is encouraged, and where everyone has the opportunity to actively participate in society. With football as engine and a strong connection to their community, they focus on building a hopeful future for all of us, or as they say it in Frisian language: “wy tinke oan moarn.”
Hubert Rovers, CEO of EFDN: “I’m happy to welcome Dutch Eredivisie side SC Heerenveen to the Network, a club who strives for a healthy region and focuses on vulnerable groups in its community. They stand for an inclusive and supportive community, where everyone has the opportunity to actively participate in society. As EFDN, we will help them to create even more positive impact.”
Their projects
SC Heerenveen Activates
Starting from 2023, in collaboration with Base to Work and the COA (Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers), an activation project will be facilitated for 15 recognised refugees. By providing education on Dutch society to these recognized refugees from the moment they arrive at the asylum seeker center (azc), they can integrate and participate more quickly and effectively. The goal is to give them a “flying start” in the Netherlands, so that they can immediately proceed with the integration modules outlined in the new integration law once they are allocated housing. The COA North Region, SC Heerenveen, and Base to Work are coming together, each bringing facilities, networks, knowledge, and expertise to support this target group effectively. The aforementioned parties have initiated this collaboration to provide an activation programme for these recognized refugees. Through activation training, sports and physical activity, as well as individual coaching, participants receive education about Dutch society. The activation program lasts for a total of 20 weeks and is intended for recognized refugees who will be living in Heerenveen or the surrounding area.
Score a Book!
Score a Book! is a nationwide and unique reading project in which the Frisian libraries, primary schools, and SC Heerenveen cooperate to promote reading enjoyment in children. Under the motto “You can score anywhere,” the reading program Score a Book! has been launched. The project leverages the power of football to stimulate reading motivation and pleasure among students and families. It connects reading and sports, using professional footballers as role models. With this project, we reach 2,000 children (and parents) in our community.
Our Frisian Heart of the Eleven Cities
In collaboration with Medprevent, efforts are made to expand the coverage of a resuscitation network by providing AED (Automated External Defibrillator) and resuscitation training to season ticket holders, volunteers, sponsors, and staff.
