Watch party brings Oranje teamspirit to WorldCoaches locations around the world

Foto: KNVB Media

As the Netherlands faces Sweden, Oranje is spreading across the globe. At WorldCoaches locations on three continents, children, coaches, and local residents are coming together for a shared watch party. Each in their own place yet connected by the same match.

Local WorldCoaches are organizing their own watch parties in countries including Jordan, Indonesia, Egypt, Lebanon, and the Netherlands. These coaches have been trained through the KNVB WorldCoaches programme in their respective countries, an initiative in which they learn to coach and guide children in social skills such as respect, responsibility, and teamwork. 

Global watch party 

Across the world, in refugee centres, embassies, and on football pitches, the Oranje team spirit will be felt. From Egypt to the Netherlands, everyone will be dressed in orange scarves and jerseys this Saturday. 

In places such as Lebanon, Jordan, and Dutch asylum seeker centres, WorldCoaches courses are currently running that have a specific impact on refugees. In addition to participants with refugee backgrounds, WorldCoaches worldwide also support displaced people during and after their training. 

Following a training session, a game, or a short activity on the pitch led by WorldCoaches, participants will watch the match together. Afterwards, there is time to reflect. Not just on the game, but also on teamwork, dealing with winning and losing, and making choices. These elements are central to the programme. 

World Cup legacy 

This approach is also extended around the World Cup itself. In Kansas City, 45 children from vulnerable neighbourhoods took part in a course organised in collaboration with Kansas City Current. Over three days, they trained, worked, and above all had fun. 

On the final day, the participants received a surprise visit from Dutch internationals Reijnders, De Roon, Timber, and Geertruida. They joined in, signed autographs, and spoke with the young players, creating moments that were hard to miss: a dream come true for the children. 

Ter Apel and Zeist 

Since last year, WorldCoaches has also been active in the Netherlands. With support from the UEFA Foundation for Children, coaching programmes are organised in asylum seeker centres such as Ter Apel and Zeist. Through these programmes, coaches work on their own development and take a step towards participating in community sports clubs. 

On 20 June, World Refugee Day, everything comes together in the global watch party: a network of small gatherings where the same match is experienced, each from its own context.