Lyan got to play a practice match for Princess Beatrix along with her CP football women's team.
Tell us more about CP football;
CP football is for girls and boys with a brain injury which can be congenital or non-congenital brain injury. The brain injury may cause them motor problems in gross and fine motor skills and high muscle tone.
Since 1984, the Netherlands has been active with the CP team for men. Since 2018, a women's section has also been launched. At the first training, 5 girls participated which has now grown to 15 girls in the age category 12 years to 30 years. To create even more opportunities in addition to the support of the KNVB, a foundation was set up in 2020, Women's CP Football Foundation and has been granted ANBI status so that we become interesting for companies to offer financial support. Our colleague Lyan has been playing for the Dutch CP team since 2018.
In May 2022, she participated in a historic event in Spain. The first international CP football tournament for women, the IFCPF World Cup Female. This was followed by the Nations League in Denmark in October 2023, for which Lyan was also selected. This season, the team's main focus is on growing the team, familiarity and improving their football together. To get even better, they are playing regular matches in preparation for future tournaments.
Getting back to your question playing a match for the princess, how is this came about?
"A national campaign day took place on 21 September last year from a charity the Swallows Youth Action. They ensure that anyone with a disability can play sports. There are several amateur clubs that raised money for the Zwaluwen Jeugd Actie last year. Here, the CP football women's team got to play a demo against SSV'65 Goes MO15-1. Because of the national campaign day, Princess Beatrix was present at this. King Beatrix supports De Zwaluwen Jeugd Actie and also announced the amount raised. And as icing on the cake, Koning Beatrix visited the teams personally. Lyan Kas was captain during this match so it was her honour to tell a short piece about the team. King Beatrix and Lyan talked about the team and what we all do and have done. In addition, also experience what it is like to play football together with girls who have the same disability."
I would like to take some more nice-to-know questions from you.
What is the best/proudest sports moment you have ever experienced, as a spectator or participant?
"That's not difficult for me! My proudest sports moment is playing football myself at the IFCPF World cup in Salou, Spain. Here we played against countries like America, Australia, Japan and Spain. At this tournament I got to score 3 goals, I have also been the Netherlands' top scorer since then. As a little girl, you dream of playing football in a Dutch national team shirt. When you have CP, this is basically not possible but eventually my dream came true! The tournament also gave our team great insights to improve ourselves and become better at football. Our team ended up finishing 4th in the world."
What is the biggest sporting challenge you have ever overcome?
"My biggest sporting challenge is that I chose to play football in a team where youngsters with disabilities play football instead of a regular team. I found it difficult to play football in a G football team. I preferred to play football in a 'normal' team. To this day, I am extremely happy that I made this choice. I have completely found my niche, not only with the CP team but also with Only Friends the sports club where I play training sessions and matches every week."
How do you stay motivated to exercise regularly?
"It's actually quite simple; it's good for my body to keep moving enough. And look for enough variety. I play football in 2 teams where I have a great time. On top of that, a nice bonus is the social contacts and being physically active. Playing football with a fun and nice team is a lot of fun."
Which athlete or sports personality inspires you the most and why?
Laughing, Lyan says; "I don't have to think about this for long! My big role model is Jacky Groenen who plays for the Dutch national team and Paris Saint-Germain. That's why I'm also playing with number 14 during matches this season. Jacky Groenen plays fanatically, wants to win every duel and if you then also have a good scoring ability, are fanatical, fierce and enjoy playing then you have the total package. When you're motivated like that you succeed faster too!"
What do you think is the most important attribute for a successful team?
"The most important trait is that you all have the same goal of getting the best out of yourself and the team. You do this by working well together and giving everyone a chance to play football (sports). Everyone has their talents like that and you have to make use of them in the game."
What have you learned from playing in a team, and how do you apply that in your work?
"I have learnt a lot over the past few years and what I apply to work. Everyone is different and has different talents. Sometimes, though, it is difficult to keep the whole team motivated and involve everyone. Then I like to think in solutions how can the game be fun for everyone? That sometimes requires some adjustments. Working together and helping each other also keeps football fun. Let each team player use his or her own talent that way you also get a lot of fun out of sports and your work." "I apply my developments within the football field in my work by letting everyone work in their talent. Here you can make use of what you can turn into a sustainable collaboration. To achieve this, you can let each colleague work in his or her own strengths so that the collaboration also improves."
How do you ensure that your sports activities remain in balance with your work and private life?
"Well that is sometimes quite difficult because actually my private life is only on the football pitch. The teammates I play with are really my friends. To keep my energy level in balance, it's important to divide it as much as possible. If I know I have a training session in the evening, I make sure I am less active during the day by, for example, running for less time. It is actually a lot of planning ahead and seeing when I have something to do. Actually, I plan everything around football to get the best out of myself."
What is your favourite way to recover after a tough training session or match?
"When I have had a game or training I like to relax on the sofa and then of course sports is on and otherwise Netflix. I then enjoy after the match. When I watch sport, I prefer Ajax. The best recovery is to take it easy and make sure my legs can recover well. Because I have CP, recovery can sometimes take longer, which means it takes more energy. It is therefore important to seek good rest so you can do everything you would like to do."
What is your next big sporting goal or challenge?
"My biggest goal is hopefully to participate in the European Championships next year and the World Cup in a few years' time. And then during the tournament preferably winning against Ireland. To be able to offer more resistance in the match with the team which means more chances to win."
If you were allowed to organise your own sporting event, what would it look like?
"I think it would be great if I could organise an international tournament at the KNVB Campus in the Netherlands. This tournament will be for all adapted football teams covered by the KNVB. That will be teams from amputation football, deaf football and CP football. Both men's and women's teams."
Where do you see yourself five years from now in terms of sports?
"Firstly still with the G1 of Only Friends and still a part of the Dutch CP team."
Reports Campaign day 21 September During the Swallows Youth Action campaign day, RTL and the PZC, among others, stopped by to do a short report on the special day.
Report RTL Boulevard
Report PZC (Provincie Zeeland Courant)
