ROTTERDAM, 29 May 2026 – The centre spot of Sparta Rotterdam’s Het Kasteel became the setting for a social gathering on Thursday 28 May. A lunch on the normally inaccessible pitch brought local organisations, sports clubs, the municipality, entrepreneurs and engaged Rotterdammers together to discuss equal opportunities for young people.
The meeting focused on the role sport can play when poverty, limited networks and lack of access make it harder for young people to take part, develop confidence and find support.
Poverty shapes young lives
The subject is pressing in Rotterdam. According to Statistics Netherlands (CBS), almost one in five children in the city grows up in poverty, the highest percentage among the major cities in the Netherlands.
That has consequences beyond household budgets. When money is tight, joining a sports club, building social contacts and taking part in activities outside school can quickly become difficult.
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Sport is not automatic
In 2024, more than 7,000 applications were made to the Youth Fund Sport & Culture (Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur) by families who could not afford sport.
The number shows how many children depend on extra support to do something that many others take for granted: train with a team, belong to a club and be part of a regular social setting.
Centre spot becomes meeting place
The lunch table was placed on the centre spot of Het Kasteel, turning one of Rotterdam’s most recognisable football locations into a temporary meeting place.
The gesture was deliberately symbolic. Het Kasteel has brought Rotterdammers together for generations, usually around football. This time, the stadium was used to bring people together around a wider social issue.
Organisations share the same challenge
The gathering was held on the initiative of Sparta Rotterdam, Stichting De Betrokken Spartaan and Wooning. It brought together people from social organisations, sports associations, the municipality and local business.
The central question was simple: what else is needed to give young people in Rotterdam a fairer chance?
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Sport offers structure and contact
During the lunch, participants discussed how sport can help beyond the match itself. A club can offer routine, social contact, trust and a place where young people are seen.
That does not solve poverty on its own. But it can give young people extra support and open doors that might otherwise stay closed.
Amir shares his experience
One of the young people present, Amir, was highlighted as an example of what can happen when a young person gets space to develop.
“It was special to sit at the table with so many different people and exchange experiences. I made many new contacts and I am grateful that I was able to be part of this gathering,” Amir said.
Amir, was highlighted as an example of what can happen when a young person gets space to develop
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New connections around the table
Michael Zijlaard, director of Rotterdam Topsport, said the value of the meeting was also in hearing from organisations outside his usual circle.
“I certainly had good conversations at the table, including with the director of the Food Bank. Very interesting to really hear what the story is there and what is still needed to take the next step. And I find it very interesting to make that connection with each other and see whether sport can contribute to that. So after today, I hope that will happen even more.”
Sparta link runs deeper
Demelza Dumfries, co-founder of DUCE, also joined the lunch. She is the sister of former Sparta player and Dutch international Denzel Dumfries, which gave the meeting a personal link to the club.
“It is a very beautiful initiative that I definitely wanted to join, because Sparta is in my heart a little bit. I think it is absolutely wonderful that partners are coming together here to address the social interests at play here, especially the Rotterdam ones.”
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Aan Tafel brings people together
The lunch was part of the Aan Tafel event series by Wooning Keukens & Badkamers, which brings Rotterdammers, organisations and businesses together around social themes in the city.
This edition used the setting of Het Kasteel to draw attention to youth poverty, sport and the question of how more children in Rotterdam can get access to the networks and opportunities that help them grow.
How to get there
Het Kasteel is located in Spangen, west of Rotterdam city centre. Metro station Marconiplein is a short walk from the stadium, and tram connections stop nearby around the Sparta area.
