From Ter Apel to Amsterdam: Omar’s journey as a WorldCoach

With over 10 million enthusiasts involved, football is the largest social network in the Netherlands. - Foto: KNVB Media

In the canteen we meet Omar. At a wooden bar table, we set everything up for the conversation. In his home country Somalia, Omar played football. In the Netherlands he has become a coach. A WorldCoach, in fact, trained during the very first WorldCoaches course ever held in the Netherlands. He took the course in Ter Apel, the place where his journey in this country began three years ago.

For the KNVB, it was a milestone. The program was applied in the Netherlands for the first time, after dozens of courses worldwide, from Africa to South America. Together with the Central Agency for the Reception of Asylum Seekers (COA) and the UEFA Foundation for Children, newcomers in Ter Apel were trained as WorldCoaches. They learned how to organize sports activities for children, both in the asylum centre and later in their new hometowns. In doing so, they not only increase participation in sport but also strengthen social cohesion; especially when participants become active in local amateur clubs.

Introduction to Dutch football culture

Omar has now been living in the Netherlands for three years. His residence status is still uncertain, yet he is already fully committed to amateur football. His own coaches, Ingrid and Robert, are his inspiration. According to Omar, Robert is always straight to the point and extremely honest. A good introduction to the Dutch culture of directness, but also to a culture of volunteers helping one another. “I still remember that none of the players on our refugee team had football boots,” Omar says. “After a while, Robert personally arranged new boots for everyone.”

The WorldCoaches programme gave Omar the feeling that he could give something back. “With WorldCoaches, I was given the chance to learn the profession.” He now coaches an under-15 team in Amsterdam. He recalls a parent who recently gave him a lift home. “The man was surprised when he dropped me off. He said, ‘Does my child’s coach live in an asylum centre?’ But now they help me, they pick me up. And I help them by coaching.”

Team spirit

Language was a challenge at first. “I coach in English. In the beginning that was difficult for the children, but that was fine later. By training them and being kind, we really started to understand each other. Now I feel at home in the team.”

What is he most proud of? The sense of team spirit that has developed. “The most important thing is that they enjoy themselves and learn something. The players learn to take responsibility for their own actions. They start helping each other. As a team, they grow.”

Football connects

Then Omar becomes more serious. He believes encounters are crucial. “Many people have an opinion about asylum centres, but have never spoken to the people who live there. Through football, I create that connection.” Football was also the key for him personally. “I hardly ever left my room in the asylum centre in Wageningen… until I started playing football.”

Omar tells that at his club he is still the only refugee. “But that doesn’t mean I’m doing nothing,” he says, not complaining but speaking with ambition. “I want to keep developing as a coach.”

A WorldCoach. In the Netherlands. And exactly where that role makes a difference.

Read more about WorldCoaches in the KNVB’s social impact report.