WorldCoaches honours Johan Neeskens

Through the Johan Neeskens Legacy Grant, his dedication and inspiration live on worldwide. - Foto: KNVB Media

KNVB WorldCoaches celebrated its fifteenth anniversary on Monday at Nieuwspoort in The Hague. The gathering focused on a special moment: the legacy of Johan Neeskens, former international player and long-time figurehead of the WorldCoaches programme. His dedication and inspiration live on worldwide through the Johan Neeskens Legacy Grant.

A year ago, on 6 October, Johan Neeskens passed away unexpectedly during a WorldCoaches programme in Algeria. During the anniversary meeting, the KNVB reflected on his legacy and the values that live on within KNVB WorldCoaches. Neeskens was a fantastic coach who inspired young people and made others better. In South Africa, in Barcelona; Neeskens left his mark everywhere.

Johan Neeskens Legacy Grant

Johan Neeskens was a great footballer known for his playing ability and leadership. He was also a passionate coach and ambassador. From the outset, he stood alongside WorldCoaches, dedicating his time, energy and heart to inspiring young people and coaches worldwide. His commitment showed that football can be about more than winning; it can change lives and strengthen communities.

No one embodied the spirit and soul of WorldCoaches better than Johan Neeskens

Neeskens was one of the first and most loyal ambassadors of WorldCoaches. In tribute to his dedication, KNVB WorldCoaches is establishing the ‘Johan Neeskens Legacy Grant’. A fund that bears his name, ensuring that Neeskens' legacy lives on and continues to have an impact on future generations. With this fund, the KNVB is passing on his example. His dedication, commitment and belief that football can make people stronger.

Secretary General Gijs de Jong unveiled the fund in the presence of the family. De Jong: ‘No one embodied the spirit and soul of WorldCoaches better than Johan Neeskens. As Johan always said: “Football has given me so much; now I want to give something back.” Today, we are ensuring that Johan can continue to give.’

KNVB WorldCoaches

Since 2009, KNVB WorldCoaches has been training local coaches in more than fifty countries. The programme focuses not only on football skills, but also on guiding young people in areas such as self-confidence, resilience, health and equal opportunities. In this way, coaches use sport to build communities, particularly in places where support and opportunities are sorely needed. In 15 years, more than 17,000 coaches have been trained, reaching over 700,000 children worldwide.

At the same time, there is concern about the future. There are significant cuts in international development cooperation and social sports programmes. The two billion euros in savings will have consequences for the scope and support of the WorldCoaches programme, as international sports projects will have to be phased out more quickly as a result.

The anniversary provided an opportunity to look back on fifteen years of impact, but also to look ahead. In the coming years, WorldCoaches wants to reach more countries, train more coaches and further exploit the social power of sport.