For a child in the Netherlands, November is a month defined by mounting anticipation. The arrival of Sinterklaas is imminent, and the excitement spills over into every aspect of life, including football. Page 63 of the matchday programme against NAC Breda captures this perfectly, dedicating the Junior Club section to the upcoming “Sinterklaasfeest.”
The page features a photo of Sinterklaas’s helper on the pitch and invites all Junior Club members to a spectacular party on November 26th at the Euroborg. But before the candy and presents could be handed out, there was serious matchday business to attend to. The right-hand column serves as the official historical record for the children who were selected to perform duties on the pitch that Sunday afternoon.
The eleven children who proudly walked out of the tunnel hand-in-hand with the players were: Milicia Norder, Garmt Hartman, Jennifer Ruitinga, Marc Dijkema, Ole Horsten, Celia de Vries, Damian Nuiver, Stein Rozema, Pascal van der Bijl, Joost Harkema, and Meindert-Jan van der Hoek.
The crucial task of escorting the refereeing trio fell to Sem Boven, Martijn van Ringh, and Vinn Pera. Finally, the halftime entertainment was provided by the participants of the Gasunie Shoot-Out: Nick Lukassen, Bastiaan Beerens, Rik Teuben, Rolf Kaijser, and Marcel Paans.
A Look into the Future
Fast forward to 2026, and the children immortalized on this page are now adults. The Sinterklaas parties of their youth have faded into fond memories, but the visceral experience of standing on the pitch at the Euroborg in front of over 20,000 fans is something that permanently alters a football fan’s DNA. The corporate landscape has evolved—with sponsors like Gasunie pivoting away from natural gas towards green energy—but the club’s commitment to integrating the youngest generation into the matchday ritual remains the most effective way to ensure the stadium stays full for decades to come.