Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur and Warrior Code lower the threshold for young athletes

Media platform Warrior Code and Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur (the Dutch youth fund for sport and culture) have launched a campaign to involve more young people from low-income households in combat sports. Children and young people from families with a small income can receive financial support so that they can take part in combat sports after all. The campaign is supported by numerous prominent figures from the combat sports world.

Media platform Warrior Code aims to connect this target group with gyms that hold the Keurmerk Vechtsportautoriteit (the quality mark of the Dutch Martial Arts Authority). Via warriorcode.com/doemee, children and their parents can check whether they qualify for financial support from Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur. The site points them to combat sports gyms with the Keurmerk Vechtsportautoriteit, where they can practise kickboxing, muaythai or mixed martial arts in a safe and professional environment.

Remy Bonjasky is an ambassador of Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur and co-founder of Warrior Code. He took the initiative to raise awareness of the fund among both young people and combat sports gyms. “The importance of sport for young people, particularly in the aftermath of the coronavirus pandemic, is enormous,” says the former K-1 champion. “Studies consistently show that young people move less and spend more time in front of screens. They are increasingly overweight, and that can later lead to other health problems and healthcare costs. Children from families with a small income are at greater risk. To many parents, sport seems too expensive. But Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur can help these boys and girls over that threshold. That way, more children can enjoy our fine sports. And for the gyms, new members are of course a welcome bonus as well.”

The campaign Become a Warrior, Become a Legend gives every gym with the Keurmerk Vechtsportautoriteit a platform on Warrior Code. The site points interested young athletes and their parents to the best gyms in their area and provides more information about the financial support available from Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur.

The campaign is supported by prominent (former) athletes and trainers such as Tarik Khbabez, Murthel Groenhart, Levi Minkenberg, Youssef Akhnih, Noach Blyden, Nieky Holzken, Bert Kops, Arnold van der Leyde, Ilonka Elmont, Fernando Halman, Jarno Errens, Mourad Bouzidi, James McSweeney, Anwar Ouled-Schaib, Michael Boapeah, Robbie Hageman, Mo Amine, Costello van Steenis and Pieter Buist.

The Nederlandse Vechtsportautoriteit (Dutch Martial Arts Authority) also supports this initiative by Warrior Code and Jeugdfonds Sport & Cultuur.