EUKN - European Urban Knowledge Network - “The Hero”, professional footballers visit pupils in The Hague

“The Hero”, professional footballers visit pupils in The Hague

Introduction

Under the ‘Hero’ project top professional footballers visit pupils in the last year of primary school. They talk to the children about bullying, teasing, discrimination, random violence etc.

Problem

The aim of the project is to combat bullying, teasing, discrimination, random violence etc. amongst school children.

Description

In the Dutch City of The Hague professional soccer players visit schools to discuss issues such as bullying, discrimination, teasing and random violence. Children are invited to visit the stadium as well. The innovative and characteristic feature of the approach is the deployment of a professional footballer, someone who has great appeal for children. The project was developed in The Hague. It was initiated by Stichting Welzijn Escamp (Escamp Welfare Foundation) and ADO football club, The Hague.

Results

The atmosphere in the schools visited as part of the project has become more positive. The project has been implemented in Den Bosch, Utrecht, Zwolle, Heerlen/Kerkrade, Leeuwarden and Tilburg as well.

Resources used

The use of professional footballers proved to be critical to the success of the project. Stichting ‘De Held’ (The Hero Foundation) is responsible for implementing the project with professional clubs in the Netherlands. It is essential for the project to be run by a national organisation that brings all the necessary know-how and experience together at one central point.

The project is funded nationally by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport. At local level the local authority provides funding.

Contact info

Stichting Welzijn Escamp
Daina Joval, tel. +31 70 366 08 01

Project start date

01/01/1996

Links

Source: Cities for People

Document type

case

Themes

Urban Policy > Social inclusion & integration > Quality of life

Keywords

Health