WorldCoaches visit favela Rio

The KNVB 'WorldCoaches' project landed in Brazil. Saturday, May 28 until Wednesday, June 1, 36 community coaches' received training at the foot of the largest favela in South America where the Rio government built an astonishing sports facility to support their sports development programs.

The course in Rio is linked to the training trip of the Dutch national team in the South American continent. WorldCoaches purpose is to provide training to coaches from the local communities; not on football technique alone, but to also encourage social development through football. Along with a visit to the Dutch national team who were training in Rio, the WorldCoaches organized a final 4-on-4 tournament for kids from the favela.

The project was a great success according to Michael van der Star, co-coordinator of the WorldCoaches program. "We expected about fifty boys and girls, but in the end there were one hundred." All the coaches had a different role in organizing the tournament. There was a tournament director, another person was a referee. "One of the coaches indicated that what normally takes about three days to organize, they now managed within half a day," Van der Star. "We try to bring some structure (to the project).”

"An unique experience"

The KNVB instructors were invited on a tour through the favela by some of the coaches to give something in return during their trip. "A very special experience," according to Van der Star. "On small motorbikes we drove up to the top (of the mountain), where we had a wonderful view. During the walk down, we saw small fields between the houses where they were playing football."

The group travelled towards Sao Paulo after visiting Rio where in November, as part of the HollandBelgium Bid, previous training had taken place. "It was already planned to visit Rio and we wanted to offer the previous skilled coaches in Sao Paulo a follow-up (visit)" says van der Star. "The coaches and kids were again thrilled and grateful that we are trying to help."

Amsterdam mayor Eberhard van der Laan payed a visit to the project as well.