Canteen issue: Is inclusion an illusion?
During the Canteen Issues, a series of panel discussions in the edge of our exhibition Offside – Football in the citywe delve deeper into social themes and look beyond the scoreboard for 90 minutes: football as a culture, economy, identity and social phenomenon. Accessible and substantively sharp.
Our second Canteen issue on Sunday, February 8, 10:30 am in STAM revolves around the question: is inclusion an illusion? Football with a small v is as simple as it is democratic: two satchels on the ground are enough to mark a goal. Everyone can play, without a membership card or money. Football with a capital letter – as an institution – is much less so. Thresholds remain in dressing rooms and boardrooms, along the sidelines and in the stands. What does inclusion mean in a football world that revolves around performance, selection and exclusion?
We zoom in on those barriers and challenges, look for inspiration at home and abroad and look at professional and local football, at men’s, women’s and G-football. We talk to former players, coaches and experts about the ideal football world and its practice. A conversation about who can participate and who is still on the sidelines.
Panel guests
- Piet den Boer became legendary as top striker of KV Mechelen. His winning goal in the 1988 European Cup final against Ajax is an iconic moment in Belgian football history. As G-sport ambassador of Mechelen and former national coach of the national G-team, the Special Devils, he is today a pioneer of G-sport. Connection and making dreams come true together are central to his commitment.
- Ismail Eddegdag has been active at since 2022 Football Flanderswhere he is responsible for social-ethical projects. He has a background in strategic communication and sports diplomacy and also knows football from the inside: as a (former) player and as a director at Tubantia Borgerhout. He also founded an accessible football initiative in Antwerp where young people can play freely and unfettered.
- Bert Ballegeer is director of Younited Belgiumwhere he has been working on social vulnerability and inclusion through football for more than 15 years. He expanded Younited from a small initiative into a solid national network with social impact.
- Mounia Wanzi works as a Digital Product Owner at the Royal Belgian Football Association and is vice-president of women’s football club FC Femina Grâce-Hollogne. She combines a strong policy role with daily practice in the field. From this dual position, she is committed to more inclusion, diversity and equality in football, with special attention to girls and young players.
Host-interviewer is Hilde Van Malderenjournalist, author and screenwriter. She started as the only female full-time football journalist in Flanders and worked for newspapers such as The Morning in The Latest News. She is also the author of novels such as Toys in Kathaai.
Canteen Matters is an organization of STAM in collaboration with KAA Gent Foundation, Sportieq and the Pro League.
Re-listen to the previous Canteen issue, ‘Who owns the club?’ from Sunday January 11, 2026
The KAA Gent Foundation thanks its partners for their support
