Cercle Brugge Players Teach Fair Play to Students After Schoolyard Football Disputes

OOSTKAMP, Belgium – A spirited intervention by three professional footballers from Cercle Brugge has brought football back to the playground of Freinetschool Klimop in Oostkamp, Belgium. The school had temporarily suspended football games during recess due to escalating arguments and disruptive behavior among students. Following a lesson focused on fair play delivered by Hannes Van der Bruggen, Dante Vanzeir, and Christiaan Ravych, the school has reopened the football pitches, restoring a beloved activity for its students.

The situation at Freinetschool Klimop had deteriorated throughout the school year, according to a teacher, Charlotte, who initiated contact with Cercle Brugge. “The two grass football pitches were initially very popular, but the situation escalated as the year progressed,” she explained, as reported by VRT News. “Children refused to sit next to each other, and they struggled to focus in class because they were still hyped up from the games. We ended up having more conflict resolution meetings than lessons.”

Attempts to manage the issues internally – including a card system (yellow and red cards), employing student referees, and even establishing a student football council – proved ineffective. Facing a challenging situation, the school reached out to local football clubs for assistance. Cercle Brugge responded positively, sending Van der Bruggen, Vanzeir, and Ravych to engage with the students.

The visit from the Cercle Brugge players wasn’t just about reinstating football; it was about reinforcing the values of respect and fair play. The players began with a signing session, then divided the students into three groups for matches where they also served as referees. Christiaan Ravych described the experience, noting the importance of role modeling. “As a footballer, you sometimes forget that you have a responsibility to set an example,” he said, according to VRT News. “We wish to teach the children the values of ‘respect’ and ‘fair play,’ because I’ve heard that’s been a bit of a problem here. It’s also nice for us to be active in a setting other than a stadium.”

The intervention appears to have been a resounding success. Students expressed their enthusiasm about being able to play football again during breaks. One student, quoted by Nieuwsblad, simply stated, “I’m excited to play football during recess again.”

The situation at Freinetschool Klimop highlights a broader challenge faced by schools: balancing the benefits of physical activity with the demand for a safe and respectful learning environment. The school’s proactive approach in seeking external support, combined with the willingness of Cercle Brugge to engage with the students, offers a positive example of how communities can work together to address behavioral issues and promote positive values. The players’ visit wasn’t merely a symbolic gesture; it was a practical lesson in sportsmanship and conflict resolution delivered by individuals the students admire.

The initiative has been widely praised locally, with De Krantenkoppen reporting it as a “high day for the children.” The school’s decision to involve professional athletes underscores the power of positive role models in shaping young people’s behavior.

While the immediate issue of playground disputes has been resolved, the long-term impact of the lesson in fair play remains to be seen. However, the renewed enthusiasm for football at Freinetschool Klimop suggests that the students have received a valuable message about the importance of respect, sportsmanship, and responsible behavior – lessons that extend far beyond the football pitch.

Cercle Brugge will next be in action on March 22nd against Standard Liège in a Belgian Pro League match at the Jan Breydel Stadium in Bruges. Fans and observers will be watching to see if the team’s commitment to fair play extends to their on-field performance.

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