NAC Oldstars celebrate five-year anniversary

NAC Oldstars celebrate five-year anniversary

Five years ago the starting signal was given for the first NAC OldStars team. Meanwhile, NAC OldStars are active at no less than nine amateur clubs and the next clubs are already ready to start with a team. Thirteen over-sixties players started with Walking Football in February 2016 and there are now more than 150 playing seniors.

All NAC OldStars Bake!

Due to the coronavirus, participants can not come together to celebrate this anniversary. To commemorate this occasion, ‘Heel NAC OldStars Bakt’ (All NAC OldStars Bake) is on the programme this week: a corona-proof activity in which participants have received a baking package at home including various NAC items. Besides the cake mix, the package consists of a NAC apron, NAC oven gloves and a unique NOAD beer. This way the participants can start baking cakes themselves and toast the five-year anniversary. As icing on the cake, Heel Holland Bakt icon André van Duin personally gave instructions in a video message to the NAC OldStars on how to bake the cake.

Looking back on 5 years NAC OldStars

For the fifth anniversary Huub Severens (78), Henk Szelech (68) and Kees van der Velden (67) – three participants from the very beginning – looked back on the past five years. It soon becomes clear that they would definitely not have wanted to miss the past years. “I think it’s a pity that the training sessions have been halted for a while because of the coronavirus. The training sessions and trips to other football clubs were always great fun” said Huub. For the best moment the men don’t have to think about for long: the trip to Mallorca in 2018. Huub explains the trip: “NAC allowed us to participate in a two-day football tournament for seniors and we all made that into an eight-day vacation.” Henk adds that the trip to KRC Genk was also special: “We drove there with the NAC’s players’ bus. We played against the OldStars of Genk, visited the stadium and a Genk match. And before and after the game, of course, we enjoyed a good beer.”

Participation in NAC’s programme ensures that Huub, Henk and Kees get back to exercising structurally. But NAC OldStars made also an impact on the social life. Huub: “I have made many friends since I started at NAC OldStars. In our team there is always someone ready to help if someone asks for it. We have become a close club”. Kees complements his teammate: “We also see each other not only on the pitch but also outside of it. For example, at pool tournaments, bike rides and other activities.” With melancholy they think back to the last time they stood together on the pitch and engaged in activities. “Hopefully it can be done again soon”, concludes Huub.

Due to the corona measures, no Walking Football is currently possible. However, an alternative programme has been set up consisting of exercise activities and social gatherings, of course in line with the existing corona measures.