“The more girls I can get excited, the better”

“In 2015, I started working behind the bar at football club Zuidoost United. I wanted to get involved as a volunteer. Just like that, a sudden idea. I had the time for it, so why not,” says Gillian Milop (35). The fact that she started at a football club was definitely not random.“I played football myself for 18 years and hoped to become a professional one day,” she says. The chairman of United asked her to train some girls at the club. Topscore, the organization where young people from Amsterdam can discover which sport suits them best, also asked her to give football lessons. Gillian gathered the girls together and there it was: the football training could begin.

My heroes were the men of Ajax“It was so much fun,” Gillian says. The girls she taught became motivated, and a team was formed that participated in the indoor soccer competition organized by Topscore. Later, she did the same with a group of younger girls from Immanuel primary school in Nieuw West. “It’s amazing to be able to pass on some of my enthusiasm for the sport,” says Gillian. “When I played, Ajax did not have a professional women’s team yet. My heroes were the men from Ajax.” Promoting women’s soccer is an important goal of Gillian’s volunteer work. The more girls she can inspire, the better. And she receives a lot of positive energy in return.Making mistakes is allowed“It is not always easy to train a group of girls,” Gillian explains. “They can be quite tough on each other. It is my job to create a positive experience for all the girls and ensure that everyone is involved. Making mistakes is allowed, and if sometimes the lesson needs to be paused to discuss what it means to be a team and how important it is to respect each other, then so be it. Or sometimes a fight over a boy needs to be resolved first. Don’t think you can just train as usual.”Volunteering brings satisfactionOf course, you get something in return. A lot, actually. “Volunteering is rewarding,” says Gillian. “You help people and it feels good.” Like the time she helped at the Financial Café.Pure South) and a man with a newborn baby came to her. His benefit had been applied for but not transferred, and he had hardly anything left to buy food. Someone like that she could help immediately, with immediate results. And the connections you make: Mrs. Hoogekamp, 91 years old, for example, who told stories about the Second World War while Gillian helped her with the administration.

Do something that you are passionate about as well“You also learn a lot,” says Gillian. “Sensitivity, empathy. When do you intervene and when do you just give someone a nudge in the right direction?” An exploratory conversation years ago with Angela Koot from VCA made her realize that volunteering has much more meaning than she thought. “You are needed as a volunteer, you have something to offer, and you make a connection.” This is why the soccer girls later specifically asked for Gillian as their coach. “Do something that you are passionate about yourself,” advises Gillian to future volunteers, “then you are most valuable.”Interview: Karine de Wit
Photos: Kim Cerrone

Are you also interested in doing volunteer work?All volunteer vacancies (over 1500!) can be found at:vacaturebank.vca.nu– We are happy to help you find something that suits you!
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