Bert and his Bredius Rollers
As usual, Bert (standing, center back of the photo) can be found on Saturdays in sports center Snellerpoort for two weeks now. Bredius Rollers train here: the Woerdense wheelchair hockey association, part of ASV Bredius. Bert came into contact with this branch of sport through his son Pim, who is confined to a wheelchair. ASV Bredius already had various adapted sports within the association and wheelchair hockey fitted in well. That is how Bert founded the Bredius Rollers. And since then they have been working hard in the national competition.
“The association is accessible to everyone: with or without a physical disability, young or old, it doesn't matter. That is really the hallmark of this association: inclusiveness. No one is left out, everyone is part of the team. That's what makes it such a great job to do. You sometimes see members who have reached a low point in their lives due to illness or a disability, but who often live up to the sport. That is very beautiful to see. And the entire association contributes to that. A new member is always immediately accepted by the team and included in the game.”
That is really the hallmark of this association: inclusiveness!
“I take care of the daily ins and outs of the association. For example, I maintain contact with parties that are important to us, I am a referee, coach, trainer and of course also play myself. And outside the association I am busy as a road worker and teacher. I would never manage all this on my own, but I am fantastically assisted by our volunteers: mainly parents of our members. For example, some are active as referees. I think it is important to find something that suits the volunteers well. If someone doesn't want to whistle, we'll find something else together. But there is still plenty for me to do at the bottom. And that's also nice, because I wouldn't want to miss the Bredius Rollers for anything!”
Want to watch the training? Or become a member or volunteer? Visit the ASV Bredius website at www.asvbredius.nl or contact Bert by emailing info@asvbredius.nl.
Karel's story
Helping coach children: wonderful work! Four years ago, the Woerden branch of the national Coach4you was set up. This organization helps students with the transition from primary to secondary education. It is not so much tutoring or homework guidance, but mainly aimed at the well-being of the coach children. They ensure that the children, called coach children, start their secondary school confidently and with a good feeling. Karel got involved with Coach4you early on. In fact: he became the very first voluntary coach of the Woerdense department! “After my retirement, I was looking for a sensible leisure activity and happened to come across a notice in the Woerdense Courant of Coach4you. I responded and thus became the first Woerdense coach. Coach4you has now grown considerably in Woerden. We have about fifteen coach children and about the same number of coaches. The coach children are registered with Coach4you for various reasons. For example, I have had coach children who just came to live in the Netherlands from countries such as Somalia or Syria. And some have behavioral problems. We help them successfully complete the first year: surely one of the most formative years in a child's development.” I sometimes run into former coach children and they say hello very cheerfully! “As a coach, I supervise one coach child during the entire school year. Sometimes a bit longer, sometimes a lot shorter. It just depends on what the child needs. I help them get used to secondary school during that time. There is a lot that comes to a child of eleven or twelve years: new subjects, changing teachers, changing classrooms. That can lead to anxiety. And take the social aspect as well. How does the child deal with bullying? What can the child do about it if it does not connect with other children? I visit my coach child for an hour every week and then we discuss what is going on in all those different areas. In this way you really build a bond with the child. In that sense, as a coach, you are also a kind of confidant. Which is certainly nice. I sometimes run into former coach children and they say hello very cheerfully!” Coach4you can use new coaches to help even more children. Would you like to guide children through the transition from primary to secondary school? Sign up by sending an email to coach4you@gildewoerden.nl (Gerard Middelkoop). Or read more information about the organization on the national website: www.coach4you.org. Share these stories and inspire others to help too! Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Whatsapp Forward
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