Sports Implementation Programme 2015-2016

Sport moves Rotterdam Sports Implementation Programme 2015-2016

PASSION FOR SPORTS

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Sport moves Rotterdam Sports Implementation Programme 2015-2016

Stimulate residents of Rotterdam to get moving and participate in sports wherever possible. This is the number one goal of the City of Rotterdam's 2015-2016 Sports Implementation Programme. Of course, the ultimate goal is to stay in tiptop condition as a sports city. Sports will make Rotterdam healthier, more appealing, more successful, safer and more enterprising.

More school sports and sports-plus clubs, new alternatives for very young children as part of the Rotterdam Fit! programme, top sports events with side-events in the limelight. These are a few highlights from the 2015-2016 Sports Implementation Programme. The policy lines and a number of projects are listed in this pamphlet.

‘ A sport city in tip top condition’

In the City of Rotterdam's vision, participating in sports is all about pleasure, vitality, sociability and developing talent. Sports is an excellent means to achieving all kinds of goals.

For example, children and youngsters can improve their school performance by

participating in sports. A city with good quality sports facilities and events is a more appealing place to live, work and visit. The future Sports Campus, that accommodates education, top sports, recreation and amateur sports, among other things, is an example of this.

When it comes to sports events, Rotterdam gives precedence to events that truly suit the city. Think of events that involve popular sports, has good locations for the event and if the event is expected to draw many visitors and considerable media attention. Forces are joined for large-scale events with local side-events,

sometimes involving other cities, as was the case for the Beach Volleyball World Championships and the start of the Tour de France (Utrecht).

The Sports Implementation Programme 2015-2016 was established in March 2015 by the Municipal Executive of the City of Rotterdam. The programme is not entirely new. The programme mainly involves shifting the emphasis and additions compared to the Sports Implementation Programme 2010-2014.

Starting from the various programmes and projects, we work together with our partners in the city towards a practical goal: making good (permanently) on the reputation of Rotterdam as a sports city.

Adriaan Visser Chairman of the executive committee of Finance, City Centre, Sports, Organization and Services

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Sport moves Rotterdam Sports Implementation Programme 2015-2016

Sports values, youth and education ‘ 3.000 children at sports clubs through the school sports clubs ’

Sports and education are inextricably linked. Sports and education contribute to developing the talents of children and youths. What's more, important sports values make up part of the educational programme. Consider, for example, dealing with winning and losing, respecting one's opponent, accepting the authority of others and working together as a team. The sports organisations, educational institutions and children's day care centres in Rotterdam work closely together to that end.

The Sports Implementation Programme aspires to further intensify the collaboration between the sports-, education- and youth sector. The programme therefore supports goals such as improving school performance, health and developing talent. For toddlers, pre-schoolers, children, youngsters and their parents.

Rotterdam Fit! A healthy and fit young generation is what Rotterdam Fit! stands for. With this programme,

Rotterdam and its partners in the city stimulate children to get moving and to make choices in support of a healthy lifestyle. This approach focuses attention on a healthy diet and offers contemporary physical education at 94 Rotterdam Fit! schools. A healthy diet and sufficient exercise are also actively promoted at the day care centres and playgroups that participate in the programme. The focus is not on the children alone, but also on the parents. After all, parents who eat healthy foods and are physically ac-

tive on a regular basis have a positive influence on the lifestyle of their children. Example is better than precept.

School sports clubs School sports clubs organise training sessions in and around the school for children living in neighbourhoods that offer few to no sports facilities. Rotterdam Sport Support, the municipality, sports clubs and schools work together to that end in order to introduce children to various sports and sports clubs. Good for the general education and physical condition of children and for the flow of young sportsmen and -women to associations and clubs.

Challenge010 Secondary school pupils can participate Challenge010 competitions. Matches focus on indoor soccer, basketball, boxing and dance. Âť

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Sport moves Rotterdam Sports Implementation Programme 2015-2016

> Testimonial In this way, Challenge010 – a collaborative effort between Rotterdam Sports Support, the municipality, the Verre Bergen foundation, secondary schools, sport clubs and sports unions – stimulates hundreds of teenagers at thirty schools to (continue to) participate in sports. «

‘ 94 Rotterdam Fit! Schools’

Tom Kalkman, specialist teacher Rotterdam Fit! at primary school De Vierambacht As part of the Rotterdam Fit! programme, our pupils are trained three times a week by the specialist teacher in the school gym. The goal: inspiring children to get moving to ensure healthy personal weight.

At the schools that work together with Rotterdam Fit!, children in the first through eighth year learn to develop the physical skills that suit their age. Specialist teachers provide extra exercises, for example, to the pupils that have fallen behind or show a special talent, or they assign homework in the form of exercise. The goal is not necessarily to train top talents, but rather to give children a broad basic range of physical skills. I have been doing this work for a number of years now, and I can clearly see that children benefit from Rotterdam Fit! This is evident from the decrease in obesity and the development of various physical skills. However, in my opinion, it is also about the pleasure that the pupils experience during the gym classes.

If children associate sports with having fun, they will be motivated to participate in sports at a later age – and in a different environment. Our participation in the School Sport Clubs contributes also. The children have the possibility to sport after school and to get a good introduction at a sports club for a membership. The success factor of Rotterdam Fit! is the fact that the gym classes take place frequently and are organised by specialist teachers. It is also important that the specialist teachers in Rotterdam consult with one another, because we as a team have so much knowledge that we want to share within Rotterdam. «

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Sport beweegt Rotterdam Sports Implementation Programme 2015-2016

Social themes Sport increases talent and improves the health of the population of Rotterdam. Both young and old can benefit in more ways from being active and participating in sports. Sport contributes to better manners and stimulates new social contacts and active citizenship. Moreover, sport acts as an economic catalyst: sports and game facilities render the city appealing to everyone who lives or works here or pays a visit.

measures in twelve neighbourhoods in order to promote a healthy lifestyle. This is achieved by training sports buddies, for example, or by bringing together parties that are active in the sphere of sports, welfare and care. This means that residents of Rotterdam are able to find support more quickly and in a more accessible manner, to increase resilience and vitality.

Vital sports associations are at the core of our society. This is why the City of Rotterdam invests in the future of the associations; for example, by making affordable accommodation available on a permanent basis.

Challenge Sports Re-integration company Challenge Sports uses a buddy project to stimulate youths in disadvantaged neighbourhoods to become active and participate in sports. It achieves this by putting top basketball players into contact with unemployed youths, for example. Also by focusing extensive attention on sports, power training and self-defence in the re-integration programmes. The idea behind this: sport gets youngsters moving, both literally and in their search for school and work.

Sports-plus clubs In addition to sports, sports plus associations are actively engaged in the welfare of the neighbourhood residents. Rotterdam Sports Support helps the clubs to achieve ambitions that go beyond those of traditional sports clubs.

This is often achieved in collaboration with

social organisations. The aim: to make more residents of enthusiastic about sports and being physically active, while simultaneously contributing to social goals.

Healthy Weight and Good Mental Health Diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, depression. These problems can be reduced with a more active lifestyle and healthier eating habits. Sport is an excellent means to increase one's physical and mental resilience. The City of Rotterdam therefore supports a variety of

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Sport moves Rotterdam Sports Implementation Programme 2015-2016

> Testimonial

Sema Akyuz, participant in Challenge Sports

Secure Sports Climate and Sports in the Youth Chain The city of Rotterdam supports the development of a positive and safe sports environment. For example, the Rotterdam approach regarding a Secure Sports Climate has become a model for pedagogically sound and safe playing fields and sports associations. In addition, the Sports in the Youth Chain project established a link with youth organisations and sports associations, so children and youngsters can enjoy sports in a socially safe environment.

Neighbourhood network organisations also take action: if problems are detected within the sports environment in terms of upbringing or social education. «

Today, my future is looking better than I ever dared to dream. That is my own personal achievement, but I did it with the help of Challenge Sports.

It was via the Youth Support Desk that I came into contact with Challenge Sports, where I participated in the buddy project for nearly eight months. I then returned to school and got my degree.

I was not a real fan of sports and I had quite a sturdy build. Nevertheless, I found the motivation and the strength – through the staff at Challenge Sports, the girls in the group and my buddy coach Patrick – to engage in sports. I also discovered a healthy eating pattern.

I have lost 10 kg. In addition, Challenge Sports offered assistance in finding a school and in applying for a student grant.

Nowadays, I engage in sports on my own at the sports school in my neighbourhood. If I am not having a good day, engaging in sports helps me relax for a while. I went from nothing to a lot, and that can be overwhelming at times. Fortunately, I can always call my buddy coach at Challenge Sports. «

‘ Yearly 750 teens involved with sports ’

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Sport moves Rotterdam Sports Implementation Programme 2015-2016

Amateur sports and sports development The elderly, people with a handicap, young professionals, students. The main issue of the municipality is to come to a suitable range of sports for all of the residents of Rotterdam. Sports associations have an important role in that respect. However, the city also accommodates countless other activities and facilities in the sphere of sports and being active. In this way, cyclists, runners, skaters, break-dancers, freerunners and other (creative) sportsmen and -women will always have a sports accommodation at their disposal.

‘ 60,000 residents of Rotterdam with a handicap’

The Sports Implementation Programme recognises opportunities to bring members of sports associations and other sportsmen and -women into contact with one another. For example, when sports clubs make their facilities available to non-members. The municipality can give direction to this type of innovation.

It can also ensure that sports fanatics and vulnerable groups have access to good quality facilities.

Sports and physical activity for the elderly The physical condition, mental health, social contacts and the self-reliance of the elderly, are all aspects that benefit from sports. In order to make the elderly more familiar with sports facilities and physical activities in their neighbourhood – now and in the future – the municipality is working together with a variety of sports providers and accommodations.

It is also working with parties that can make

the elderly enthusiastic about sports, such as physiotherapists, general practitioners, mosques and church communities.

Sports for those with a handicap About ten percent of the Dutch population has a physical or mental handicap. In Rotterdam, this concerns approximately 60,000 residents.

The network organisation Rotterdam Sports op Maat was established to assist residents of Rotterdam, who have a handicap, in finding suitable sports activities and to stimulate providers to offer tailored forms of sports. The department therefore brings the supply and demand together, advises sportsmen and -women with a handicap, and improves the expertise of the trainers. This Rotterdam approach has since been implemented at a national level. »

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Sport moves Rotterdam Sports Implementation Programme 2015-2016

SportRegie SportRegie is a new approach to increase the participation of residents in sports for an extended period. Sports directors assess the sports activities and other physical activities in an area. The sports directors, together with local parties, then ensure that the residents who are not yet engaged in a sport are introduced to activities, accommodations and clubs that fit their wants and needs. If necessary, SportRegie will stimulate the development of new alternatives.

Combination officials and neighbourhood sports coaches Sufficient possibilities for residents to engage in sports or to become more active, ranging from young to old. This ambition is shared by a number of sectors. Professionals such as the combination officials and the neighbourhood sports coaches therefore work on a common ground of sports and education, for example, or healthcare, welfare and youth aid.

Combination officials are primarily deployed for the education, sports and culture sec-

tors. Many combination officials are active as specialist teachers in the primary and secondary education sectors and give gym classes at schools, activities for pupils at sports associations and additional sports activities for Rotterdam youths.

Neighbourhood sports coaches stimulate sports and physical activity and combine this with culture, well-being and care, amongst other things.

By building a network in the immediate vicinity of the target groups, they gain an impression of suitable sports accommodations and physical activities.

Youth Sports Fund Children aged four up to and including seventeen, from low-income families, can participate in sports thanks to the Youth Sports Fund. The fund reimburses a sports club's membership fee. More than 3,500 children were assisted in this way in 2014.

Expectations are that increasingly more children will find their way to the fund. The Youth Sports Fund is therefore working hard to bring in sponsors and additional funding. «

> Testimonial

Michel Siepman, expert in sports, in Rotterdam Lombardijen Around twenty elderly people meet in the community centre of Lombardijen three times a week. The first hour focuses on physical exercise, similar to the TV-programme ‘Nederland in beweging’. After that, we take half an hour to an hour to enjoy a cup of coffee or tea together. The participants sometimes go on an outing, to a bowling alley or to enjoy high tea.

The oldest participant in my lessons is nearly eighty, the youngest is just over fifty. They are all clearly making progress thanks to the fitness programme. I have noticed that the elderly can carry on with the exercises for a longer period of time – and they seem to be more vigorous and stronger. The elderly participants actually tell me they can cycle for longer distances and can carry heavy shopping bags more easily.

The strength of this approach lies in the combination of healthy exercise and socialisation that is truly geared to the target group. We know this from insights acquired by SportRegie through social marketing studies. This is also evident to me in daily practice. Neighbourhood residents seek each other out, on occasions other than the lessons. My supervision also goes beyond merely instructing the participants. For example, after completing the lesson, I may explain in a playful way how the human body works. The group's level has since surpassed that of ‘Nederland in beweging’! «

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Sport moves Rotterdam Sports Implementation Programme 2015-2016

Sports facilities Appealing sports facilities entice people to engage in sports and to get moving. This is why the City of Rotterdam is investing in high quality facilities. Facilities for indoor sports, outdoor sports and sports in public areas; ranging from gyms, swimming pools and sports halls to outdoor sports complexes, parks and grass plots. The development of the Sports Campus in Rotterdam-Zuid is the showpiece.

The municipality goes beyond maintaining and improving the existing sports infrastructure. It is also considering the possibility of using the facilities more intensively and for multiple functions.

The goal is to tailor the level of service and quality to the demand.

‘ Willem-Alexander Baan: rowing track of 2 km with 8 lanes’

High-quality accessible sports facilities Rotterdam offers a varied range of sports facilities, spread out across the entire city. Whereas gyms serve the neighbourhood residents, the Topsportcentrum Rotterdam on the other hand

attracts visitors from throughout the region (and beyond!). By working together with parties in the city, accommodations can be used more intensively and the accommodations can fulfil a broader social function for the neighbourhood and the city. In addition, there is an increasing interest for sports facilities in public areas.

In addition to walking, jogging and cycling, sports such as free running, bouncing and skating are also popular. This is why the municipality, when organising and renovating the public areas, considers possibilities to stimulate sports as one of the uses.

Top sports facilities A baseball stadium, a hockey stadium, a rowing facility, three soccer stadiums. These are just a few examples of the top sports facilities in Rotterdam. With Sports Palace Ahoy, Topsportcentrum Rotterdam the CHIO grounds and De Kuip, strong brands represent Rotterdam in the sphere of top sports. Developments also continue. Within the territorial development of Hart van Zuid, for example, a new 50 metre swimming pool is to be developed that is suitable for top sports and is available for school swimming lessons and amateur sports.

Sports campus The Sports Campus in Rotterdam-Zuid will be a must-see for top sportsmen and -women, amateurs and leisure-seekers. The complex is to accommodate a (an athletics) track, artificial grass playing fields that can be used for a variety of sports and a centre for defence sports and dance, amongst other things. The nearby Park Âť

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Sport moves Rotterdam Sports Implementation Programme 2015-2016

De Twee Heuvels will offer room for recreation and sports that are not organised in clubs.

The focus of the Sports Campus in the years to come will be on expansion, renovation and enrichment of the range of sports in RotterdamZuid. Due to the diversity of the users – pupils, top sportsmen and -women and amateurs – the Sports campus is the perfect place to discover and develop top athletes. «

> Testimonial

‘ Sportcampus: facilitates in traditional and urban sports’

Martin Koers, Director Topsportcentrum Rotterdam As the Director of the Topsportcentrum Rotterdam, I am the immediate neighbour of the Sports Campus. As the name suggests, the Sports Campus is more than a facility for sports clubs and professional soccer clubs – it is also a place to learn. A direct link to the Top Sports Centre, where pupils of the Albeda College follow the Sports and Exercise educational programme, is a possibility to look into. The presence of pupils will immediately enhance the livelihood of the Sports Campus.

How can we make the Sports Campus easily accessible and safe, such that all kinds of sportsmen and -women will be triggered to use the campus – from early in the morning until late at night? That is the big challenge for the Sports Campus.

In my opinion, making ultimate use of the campus involves a combination of pupils, leisureseekers and sportsmen and -women. The area will then be used all day long. What's more, all kinds of visitors – varying from mothers who want to cycle with their child through the park, to groups of friends who play a game of badminton after having enjoyed a barbecue – are stimulated to become a member of a sports club.

I am convinced that the future will be dominated by urban sports. Examples include skating, bouncing, running, cross-country cycling, boot camps and street dance. If the Sports Campus can facilitate sports of this kind – and perhaps bring these together with other, more traditional sports – this could lead to very good things. «

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Sport beweegt Rotterdam Sports Implementation Programme 2015-2016

Developing top sports Top sports are the showpiece of sports. Therefore, top sports are important for the image of Rotterdam as a sports city. Moreover, top athletes can inspire residents to actively take part in (more) sports. Top athletes can also serve as a role model for youngsters. Vital top sports clubs are supported in order to stimulate top sports. In addition, it is important to link top sports, amateur sports and events – in order to discover talents and to put sports in the spotlight.

The City of Rotterdam – together with local, regional and national partners – invests in the supervision of top talent, the support of top sports clubs and the availability of high-quality competition and training facilities for the focus sports. Extra financial support is available, if necessary, for talent centres and top sports clubs in nine sports. These focus sports – athletics, basketball, boxing, hockey, baseball, judo, rowing, volleyball and indoor soccer – suit Rotterdam and its residents.

Regional talent centres From beginners to established top sportsmen and -women. The Regional Talent Centres guides those talents. This is why Rotterdam top level sports clubs are working together with the national sports union to offer potential talents extra training, professional guidance and practical support. In this way, talented young sportsmen and -women from the region can develop themselves to the highest level within top sports associations – preferably in Rotterdam – and national selections. In order to discover future top talents in a timely fashion, the Regional Talent Centres work with establish-

ments / programmes like sports clubs, school sports and Rotterdam Fit! Extra support to top level sports clubs Top sports clubs are a stage for talent. Top sports clubs at the highest national level have the possibility to get extra support. The biggest talents of the top sports clubs participate in the national selections – and serve as an example for younger athletes. Top sports clubs introduce children to (top) sports with clinics for pupils and amateurs. At the same time, the residents of Rotterdam benefit from training sessions, competitive matches, tournaments and events hosted by top sports clubs. They benefit as visitors and as entrepreneurs.

Rotterdam Topsport supports top sports clubs in putting together strong teams, in offering sound training programmes for youths and in developing social initiatives. In addition, clubs are stimulated to make the public and the press enthusiastic for matches. «

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Sport moves Rotterdam Sports Implementation Programme 2015-2016

Sports events The NN Marathon Rotterdam, the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament, the CHIO. Rotterdam is a city of events of international reputation. World sports events are a natural part of this. The events are a calling card for the sports policy in Rotterdam. In addition, the popularity of sports events offers starting points for bringing visitors into contact with sports activities and other physical activities.

The Sports Implementation Programme 20152016 views sports events as an opportunity to increase the city's participation in sports, to strengthen the city's image, to stimulate the local and regional economy and to enhance Rotterdam's international reputation.

‘ Rotterdam: an acknowledged event city ’

Top sports events and multi-sports events National and international sports events in Rotterdam every year. This is the objective of the municipality’s sports policy, which provides for and facilitates international events in the city.

First of all, attention is paid to returning

top sports events that yield social and economic returns. Consider, for example, events that attract a large audience and that will put Rotterdam in the spotlights in a positive way. In addition, the city is also looking for opportunities to attract multi-sports events (such as the European Universities Games) and once-only international top sports of World or European champion level.

Sports events and side-events Gymnastics clinics during a World Championship Gymnastics. A touring hitting cage prior to the European Championship Baseball. These

are examples of side-events organised by Rotterdam to combine major sports events with activities that introduce pupils and residents to sports (clubs). Top sports, amateur sports, education and public events come together in this way.

Events within Rotterdam are not the only events to offer opportunities. Top events in other cities can also motivate the city to organise sideevents.

Subsidy scheme Citylab 010 – sports theme More and more residents of Rotterdam are taking the initiative to organise sports activities. Initiatives of this kind are generally met with much support and can inspire more residents to engage in sports. The city therefore assists potentially successful innovating urban sports initiatives – in its role as service provider, and with funding, if necessary. »

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Sport moves Rotterdam Sports Implementation Programme 2015-2016

> Testimonial

Mario Kadiks, Director of Like2Run, organiser of running events in the Netherlands

The Strength of Sports events As part of the Strength of Sports, the ministry of Health, Welfare and Sports, the municipalities of Amsterdam, The Hague, Utrecht, Eindhoven and Rotterdam and NOC*NSF work together on events, developing talent, research, innovation and economic development. The Dutch Tourism & Congress Bureau has also become active within the events theme.

This collaboration is engaged in the development of a strategic events calendar for the Netherlands, the exchange of knowledge concerning the organisation of events, and the coordination and acquisition of international top sports events, amongst other things. All of this with the aim to increase the positive impact of sports events on a local and national level. «

The NN Marathon Rotterdam, which was established in 1981, links people to the city: the track runs through typical Rotterdam streets and neighbourhoods, and the interaction between the runners and the spectators is unprecedented in the Netherlands. Over 900,000 people can be found along the track. The motto ‘You’ll never walk alone’ by Dutch singer Lee Towers certainly applies to the NN Marathon Rotterdam: the participants always run surrounded by spectators.

‘ More than 40,000 participants’

The attitude of the NN Marathon Rotterdam is also about aspects – perseverance, respect, solidarity, effort – that are appreciated in the Rotterdam society. Moreover, the NN Marathon Rotterdam is a race without race: everyone is equal, irrespective of their colour or religion.

Top athletes and amateurs alike face the same challenge of staying the distance.

The Marathon lasts a day – or actually: more than 5.5 hours – but the event can also be experienced through the side-events. For example, the NN Kids Runs serve as a supporting act on Saturday. Together with the side-events, the NN Marathon Rotterdam easily attracts more than 40,000 participants. The NN Marathon Rotterdam is a textpage example of the vision of Like2Run, that can be summarised as: we like to run the extra mile to create winners.

The winners in that case are all of the stakeholders in the NN Marathon Rotterdam: the runners, visitors, sponsors, sub-contractors and the municipality. The NN Marathon Rotterdam has been the largest one-day event in the Netherlands for seventeen years now and can be viewed live on TV in more than twenty countries. This type of city marketing means positive spin-offs for all those concerned. «

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Sport moves Rotterdam Sports Implementation Programme 2015-2016

Colophon This is a publication of the City of Rotterdam in collaboration with Rotterdam Sports Support and Rotterdam Topsport in connection with the Sports Implementation Programme 20152016 Text: Leene Communicatie Design: Trichis Photography: HC Rotterdam BMX Holland Rob Weeda Ferdy Collewijn Jan van der Ploeg Kees Spruijt Oktober 2015

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