IMPACT
SPORT HAS GIVEN ME
A PLATFORM.
What I’ve learned through sport reaches far beyond competition. I use my experience and my voice to help create opportunities, challenge perspectives and make sport and society more inclusive.
SOCIAL IMPACT
USING SPORT
TO OPEN DOORS.
Sport can bring people together, create opportunities and make people believe in what is possible. That is why I’ve always wanted to use my position as an athlete for more than my own performance.
Through initiatives such as Sport heros at School, I’ve shared sport with young kids and used my own experiences to start conversations. Not only about the great opportunities sport offers, but also about the setbacks, the possibilities of getting back on track and believing in yourself.
My involvement with the former Dirk Kuyt Foundation developed from ambassador to board member. This gave me the opportunity to contribute not only as an athlete, but also to the decision making behind creating more opportunities to participate in sport for people with a disability.
OTHER INITIATIVES I’VE CONTRIBUTED TO: Wings for Life world run · Nationale Sportweek · Rotterdam Sport op Maat dag · 010 Moves · Rotterdam Sportstad · Uniek Sporten for Sportbedrijf Rotterdam · Sport Film Festival Rotterdam
INCLUSION & ACCESSIBILITY
ACCESS IS MORE
THAN AN OPEN DOOR.
Accessibility isn’t just about whether someone can enter a building. It’s about whether people can participate, feel welcome and have the same opportunities as everyone else.
Living with a disability means I experience accessibility every day. The things that work, the things that don’t. And sometimes the smallest details make a big difference.
I use that experience to help organisations, companies and municipalities look at accessibility and inclusion from a different perspective. Not just by pointing out barriers, but by thinking together about practical ways to remove them.
SEE THE BARRIERS. FIND THE POSSIBILITIES.
From accessibility reviews and conversations with teams to sharing a lived experience perspective. The approach can be tailored to the question or organisation.
ATHLETE VOICE
A SEAT AT THE TABLE
MATTERS.
Athletes are at the heart of elite sport. Their voice should be part of the decisions that shape the environment in which they train, compete and perform.
Through the athletes’ commissions, we give both requested and unsolicited advice on governance and policy issues. We bring forward what athletes experience in practice and make sure their perspective is heard when decisions are made about elite sport.
It’s about more than performance. It’s about creating the right conditions for athletes. From a safe sporting environment and good support to the facilities and policies they need to develop and perform at their best.
A STRONGER ATHLETE VOICE.
NO DECISIONS ABOUT ATHLETES.
DECISIONS WITH ATHLETES.
NOC*NSF Athletes’ Commission · European Paralympic Committee Athletes’ Commission
LET’S CREATE IMPACT.
Looking for a different perspective on inclusion, accessibility, sport or athlete representation?
Let’s explore what we can do together.