Football Buddy programme by AZ

Football Buddy programme by AZ

Together to the win. As part of the Week against Loneliness, AZ, in collaboration with Humanitas and ‘YOU belong’, received the first group of football buddies on Thursday evening during the UEFA Europa Conference League game between AZ and Apollon Limassol.

Football Buddies is the first project recently launched by the Alkmaar Zaanstreek Foundation. Through this initiative, AZ joins forces with Humanitas and ‘YOU belong’ with the aim of bringing people in the region closer together, in order to combat loneliness. An evening of European football offered the perfect opportunity for the football buddies to enjoy a high-scoring duel together, followed by a fully catered dinner. Four soccer buddies were even lucky enough to watch the match from the Elfi Skybox!

A Buddy talking

Joop Weel is one of the people who has been working as a buddy for years, in order to get others in society out of their isolation.

“During the corona period, I noticed a lot myself what loneliness can do to you.”(…) “That’s why I think it’s important to be Maatje, because a lot of people just need help.”

Joop Weel

According to Joop, it is good to get people out of their homes and to offer them a pleasant atmosphere by having a chat with them.

“There is a lot of appreciation, mutual. That makes it a win-win situation.”

Joop Weel

Joop, and his buddy of the evening Frank, are both big fans of AZ; the 3-2 win made it a very successful evening for them all in all.