At the beginning of March, Rotterdam was all about Swapgym, a wonderful initiative by Rotterdam Sports CompanyWhat does Swapgym offer? Passion for sports and inspiration: the opportunity for young people to participate for free for ten weeks in various sports and arts disciplines, from street football and freerunning to paddle tennis and freestyle basketball. The goal? To help young people discover, experience, and inspire!
We hit the road with a top team. World breakdance champion Menno van Gorp, Dutch groundmove champion Anis, DJ Sharky, influencer Rarko, and host Sharif, along with me, ensured a week full of energy and interaction. Each day, we visited two to three schools, showcasing our disciplines, motivating young people, and inviting them to participate. Rotterdam Sportbedrijf, with Eva, Dimitri, and Rianne, ensured everything ran smoothly—from equipment to organization.
Besides shows and challenges, we also made time for Ask Me Anything sessions. Young people could ask anything, and we openly shared our experiences, successes, and missteps. Menno and I explained how we turned our hobbies into our jobs and emphasized the importance of trial and error, getting back up, and learning. The message was clear: try everything, because if you never shoot, you'll never hit.
From dance battles with school principals to panna competitions and freestyle challenges, the young people's enthusiasm was infectious. Swapgym showed that sport is more than just exercise. It's a way to make friends, build self-confidence, and learn life lessons. Especially in the street and art disciplines, you can be completely yourself and discover your own path.
One of the best moments was at Mavo Centraal, where I ran into my former basketball buddy and now director, Mitchell Lieveld. He challenged one of the best panna players in the Netherlands to a match – a wonderful example of leadership and connection. We also talked behind the scenes with Menno about the future of the scene and ways to inspire young people even more.
Swapgym Rotterdam was a huge success. Whether it was the energetic shows, the personal stories, or the spontaneous block parties – it was a week full of passion, inspiration, and connection. This initiative demonstrates how sports and art can connect young people and motivate them to discover new things. Rotterdam, thank you for this unforgettable week!
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