Equal opportunities for all children in the Netherlands to develop an active and healthy lifestyle
The Krajicek Foundation motivates youth in Dutch deprived urban areas to develop an active and healthy lifestyle. Children who regularly do sports and play outside are happier, healthier and learn to develop their talents.
Our approach is unique. In collaboration with municipalities we create Krajicek Playgrounds where children can do sports and play outside in a socially safe environment, close to home. They are guided by professional community sport coaches (min. 2 activities per week) and by our Krajicek Scholars: youngsters from the community who, in return for a scholarship, regularly organise activities on their Playground.
Over 25 years of experience
The Krajicek Foundation was founded in 1997 by former tennis player Richard Krajicek. After his victory at Wimbledon (1996) he decided to organise a tennis clinic in a deprived neighbourhood in stead of a celebratory ceremony. He was touched by their sincere joy but also shocked to learn that many of them had never held a tennis racket before. He learned that for many it wasn’t common to do sports or play outside. Right then and there he decided to try and make a positive change in their lives.
129 Krajicek Playgrounds
In the Netherlands there are approximately 220,000 children who grow up in poverty and for whom regularly doing sports or playing outside aren’t common. That’s why the Krajicek Foundation provides them with socially safe playgrounds, close to home, where they can do sports, play, discover and make new friends. Together with local municipalities we create Krajicek Playgrounds and regularly organise activities with the help of the community sport coaches and our Krajicek Scholars.
Currently we have 129 Krajicek Playgrounds in 40 Dutch municipalities with a reach of over 5,800 children. In the current academic year we support 220 youngsters via our Krajicek Scholarship Programme and, in total we have awarded over 2,700 scholarships since the start of the programme in 2006.
Through our activities, and in collaboration with our partners, we want to contribute to the positive development of Dutch youth, and thus an active, social and connected society.
If you are interested in learning more about the Krajicek Foundation or would like to make a donation, then please don’t hesitate to contact us via info@krajicek.nl