Football is a team sport, on and off the pitch. Teamwork not only produces great results, but can even change the world to some degree. For example, many social projects involving sports contribute to a better life. All over the world, football is showing that it has a heart.

Belgium and the Netherlands are leading the way in the development of football and of society through football: social projects on many continents, innovations improving the game of football, investments in youth training, and Dutch and Belgian coaches and players who give football a touch of colour all over the world. Here are just some examples of the many highlights:

• In the framework of the Meridien project, the Royal Belgian Football Association (URBSFA-KBVB) is coaching staff from the national federations in Rwanda, Burundi and Congo-Brazzaville and providing them with football equipment.
• As part of the “Hillbrow Youth Development” project in the South African city of Johannesburg, the Royal Dutch Football Association (KNVB), the Dutch Government, former Dutch star Frank Rijkaard and local heroes are jointly teaching young people social skills and knowledge through football.
• Belgian companies are responsible for producing TV broadcasts of sporting events all over the world.
• More and more top-class clubs all over the world play their games on Dutch artificial turf, surrounded by LED boards that are made in Belgium.
• In 1974 the Dutch national team, coached by Rinus Michels and featuring Johan Cruijff, introduced the world to the still highly-acclaimed concept of “total football”.
• The Netherlands may well have the best youth training in the world, while Belgium’s Young Red Devils are performing well at major tournaments.

Belgium and the Netherlands don’t just love great goals, but also support them: past, present, and future.

For more information about Belgian and Dutch contributions, go to:
Social
Innovation
Coaches
Players
Youth training