At the first U11 tournament in 2012, AA Gent, OH Leuven, Zeeburgia and FSV Gevelsberg were the teams fighting for the top places. Since then, the participant field has been greatly expanded. Not only in the number of participating countries (9) but the level of competition has also risen sharply. Many senior teams now opt for participation in the Oldenzaal tournament
How is this growth explained? We ask Roy Velthuis, former chairman of the E-tournament committee, and still active in recruiting and supervising participants. "Continue building and investing in teams; it’s a long and difficult road, but it eventually leads to results. Important is our view that we do not pay for participation and that the young players are accommodated in host families. "
Money
Is it possible to keep to this principle ,if you look at the list of participants? "We do not pay any flights and certainly no start fees or the like. If necessary, there is a small contribution to travel expenses and, due to good agreements with sponsors, we can arrange cheap accommodation for the team leaders. By constantly working on quality we have brought the tournament to a higher level each year. As a result, it has become increasingly interesting for (top) teams to participate and to do so on our terms. "
Joer International organizes youth tournaments throughout Europe. Since the first meeting, the cooperation has grown into a close relationship in which the tasks are well distributed. Eric Cornelissen from Joer writes to the most important teams in his network to interest them in the tournament. In addition, Roy has also a large network at the BVOs in the Netherlands and the countries in the immediate vicinity. This way you get applications from two sides that lead to the current mix of teams. "We try to get the strongest teams from Belgium, Germany and Scandinavia to Oldenzaal, complemented by British, French and teams from other sometimes distant countries. This year there will be a team, from South Africa joining our tournament, FC Tuks, ".
Commitment
There is a lot of work to do in organizing a tournament of this level. In the Netherlands, around five tournaments are taking place in this age group, one at Quick'20's has the most well-known teams. Roy: "We have a close group in which everyone has his specialism. For example, a split has been made for transport, food, host families, sponsors, participants and a number of disciplines associated with the organization of such a tournament. I stopped as president to focus on the teams. I'm already busy with the 2018 participants. The efforts of host families ,sponsorship and volunteers are also essential. Without these three, there is no International U11 tournament at Quick'20. "
Quality
The Quick'20 U11 tournament has grown into a tournament with not only impact on Quick'20 but also Oldenzaal. Delivering quality in organization and guidance is essential. "Complaints about arbitration should be discussed and handled well. Each team will receive an evaluation form after the tournament, which will allow us to make improvements. And don’t think that The clubs themselves just go for a night ice cream in Oldenzaal. Many send a delegation who reviews the accommodation in advance and discusses all the preconditions such as safety and transportation. They do not send their little gems to Oldenzaal without being properly prepared. Confidence in Quick'20 and the organization of the U11 tournament is still growing. The best proof is the field of participants.
In 2016, Arsenal representative (middle) came to approve the accommodation before their U11 team got permission to travel to Oldenzaal.
VLNR Han van Benthem (Quick '20), Roy Velthuis (U11), Arsenal, Rob Blokhuis (U11) and Eric Cornelissen (Joer)
Joer International is a bureau from Helmond it is an associations in the Netherlands that helps with bringing teams to youth tournaments. Eric Cornelissen from Joer is the engine of the company that has a very wide network of clubs around the world who have good youth training programs. Joer International does this for teams from U9 to U16-17. For Quick'20, they write each year to the top clubs and handle applications from teams. Their contact at Quick'20 is Roy Velthuis
Since 2012, Quick '20 football club has annually organizes an international youth tournament for players under the age of 11.
At the Vondersweijde sports park in Oldenzaal, on 1 and 2 of june 2024, 28 teams from 10 different countries will battle it out for the title.
In addition to the sporting goals, the tournament organization is committed to playing a connecting role between the teams, the leaders of the different teams, themselves, Quick '20 and the people of Oldenzaal. So catch more than 120 players’ families on the evening of the 20st of May in down town Oldenzaal. That weekends all the hotels and restaurants will packed and people will really see The Smile of Twente.
That evening there will also be an opportunity to enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the city center. New acquaintances will be made and knowledge will be passed on between the trainers and team leaders of the different teams.
Besides bringing in top teams from all over Europe, it is important to involve regional amateur teams in the international tournament. It goes without saying that sportsmanship and respect are of paramount importance, as these principles are reflected in what Quick '20 stands for, namely "Training and development, standing central in the community '
Organization U11 tournament Quick '20