Goal Programme - Koninklijke Nederlandse Voetbalbond - 2008

The success story of the Netherlands football association, KNVB, one of the founder members of FIFA, is something to be proud of. The Dutch have taken part in seven European Championships, winning the title once, in 1988. Equally famous are the epic battles against Germany and Argentina in the 1974 and 1978 World Cup finals, ending in defeats that still smart, but not without enriching European football history with thrilling new chapters. When professional football was introduced in 1954, it led to a split in the league. The Netherlands consequently devised a unique qualifying system that served financial rather than sporting purposes. A club can only be relegated from the 1st division if it withdraws, for instance for financial reasons, to the amateur leagues. The Netherlands have also played a pioneering role in other branches of football. Futsal has been played there since 1969 and a powerful women's football section has existed since 1971. Among the countless players who are too numerous to mention here, several of them with roots from the Caribbean region have done the Dutch overseas territories proud with their footballing careers.

The first project that the Netherlands submitted to the Goal Bureau on 4 February 2008 was in favour of the CONCACAF assocation of Suriname that has already benefited from two Goal projects. It is the kind of development aid that a top association such as the Dutch association can offer smaller members. The plans comprise a national centre for youth football to be built in Essed la Fuente. The complex will provide training and match opportunities for youths, women, schools and disabled athletes. Construction is due to be completed by the end of 2009.