On Saturday 21 May 2022, badminton club Van Zijderveld celebrated its 50th anniversary. Members, former members and friends of the club looked back on the rich history of the association in a very pleasant atmosphere.
Strong foundation
Mayor Tjapko Poppens van Amstelveen praised the badminton club for its values as comradeship and family association and sees that the club meets a great need in Amstelveen in the field of sports. In addition to the sporting successes in competition, adults are also given the opportunity to play badminton during the day and ladies can also come to the association for fitness training on two mornings a week. He expressed his appreciation for Rob van Zijderveld, the founder of the association, who, together with all members and former members, have built a strong foundation for the future.
Bronze Medal of Honor
Ger Tafeling, North Holland regional coordinator of Badminton Netherlands, then presented a bronze medal of honor to chairman Jurjen Douma Jr. for the great merit of the association for promoting badminton sport in the Netherlands.
Unique club shirt
Jurjen then addressed a short word to Rob van Zijderveld and handed him a club shirt with the 50th anniversary logo.
Silver association pin
Then Harold Beffers and his daughter Sterre were given the microphone and took those present into the comradeship of the association and into life. At the association, this is partly due to the club clothing; outside “in social life” they lacked a common expression. Sterre has designed a silver club pin and made it in an exclusive limited edition through the training good & silversmith at the Schoonhoven vocational school. She offers the first association pin to Rob van Zijderveld.
Young people get opportunities
During his speech, Rob van Zijderveld discusses the success of the association. “By giving young badminton players a chance in the competition, combined with the (badminton) knowledge and commitment of trainers and parents, the club has grown.”
Rob concludes with the heartfelt words: “I thoroughly enjoy seeing so many known and unknown people here and hope that the many expats may stay at the club and in Amstelveen! I will visit you again soon in sports hall De Meerkamp”.
