“I have learned how to interact with people”

Jamie van Dijk (16) is a volunteer at their football club ASV De Dijk. Every weekend, he is active in the match room and on the field.You are already active as a volunteer at a young age!“Yes, I started as a volunteer at my football club ASV de Dijk in 2011, at the age of eleven, where I was also playing at the time. I do a lot of activities in the match room: I welcome teams and referees, fill in player forms, and make tea and lemonade for halftime. In addition, I give training, referee matches, and set up the goals and corner flags. I often work together with Kaya, who is also a volunteer here. Every Saturday, the hours fly by. And, right at the beginning, I started to feel a bit of ‘leadership’. When everything went well, I was really proud!”What appeals to you the most?“I really enjoy the work, but it’s also about the camaraderie. And it’s always there. The atmosphere is very good, the people are nice. I have also met many new people and learned how to interact with them. Sometimes it’s busy, when we have a full schedule we work on Saturdays for up to ten hours. And very occasionally even on Sundays. But it’s definitely worth it.”Is it easy to combine with school, friends, and other hobbies?“Actually better than I expected. I am in havo 3 at Pieter Nieuwland College. In the evenings, I usually go to friends’ houses, and on Sundays, I always do homework. By the way, I have actually stopped playing football myself. I find managing matches and refereeing much more enjoyable! Although I don’t really see it as volunteer work, more as a hobby.”Which moment has stayed with you the most?“The weather conditions are very decisive. Like with snow. Once, at eight o’clock in the morning, I cleaned all the lines with a broom. After slipping three times, the lines were clearly visible! And my nomination for ‘Amsterdammertje van het jaar’ (Amsterdammertje of the year), that’s also something I won’t easily forget.”What kind of election is this?“This is an election for children between 8 and 15 years old, who are an example for others. The football club signed me up for this in 2014 without me knowing, which I found very exciting of course. In the end, I was one of the ten finalists. People could vote online for their favorite. I did wonder for a moment: What if I win..? But honestly, I felt that the other finalists deserved it more than I did. In the end, Vera and Anne van Korven (12) and Salma Moudifd (12) won. They sell Turkish pizzas to raise money for the Cancer Fund. But I look back on a very nice experience and it’s still a bit of appreciation that I have received.”Interested in volunteering in sports? Check out these job vacancies.Page break