KimsBlog

@kimsblog1673430807 · 09 Oct 2022

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Champions League Field Hero

It is the dream of many children who play football (and, by the way, those who are not on football). Walking the field during a football match with your favorite player from your favorite football club. Also for a boy. For him, this dream came true last Tuesday during AFC Ajax's Champions League match against SSC Napoli.

Via MasterCard, the boy was chosen to walk on the field as a so-called Field Hero during the Champions League match. During the Champions League matches, this is always arranged by MasterCard. And I must say that it is properly arranged!

About two weeks before the competition, we received a message that the boy had been chosen to walk with. You must respond within 48 hours if you can attend. After that, you will receive a list of requirements that your child must meet (including age requirements and height requirements). Your child is also only allowed to wear a certain type of shoes. Guy was ready for a pair of new shoes, so just for this occasion.

During the evening, a photographer and cameraman will join us to take photos and recordings of the kids. You need to give permission for this (also for promotional use). This gives you super cool photos afterwards and an impression of what the kids have experienced.

On the day of the race, we had to go to the Johan Cruijff ArenA on our own. Fortunately, we are a member of SVA Ajax (supporters association) and we were already able to buy a parking ticket via the Ajax App. This allowed us to park a short walk away. We had to be there 2 hours before the game, because of the distance we still had to travel, we had scheduled an extra hour for traffic jams. Fortunately, we had very few of them and we were present well on time.

After eating a bit more and of course taking a look at the fan shop (and buying a scarf from the competition) we headed to the main entrance where we had to gather. We were one of the first of a total of 22 children (11 for the away team and 11 for the home team). The kids were picked up by the evening's supervisors. First, it was checked that everyone was there, name keycords handed out and accreditation, so they could get to where they needed to be (after all, they went out on the field, not just anyone should go there)!) and tickets for the match (one for the child and one for the parent/supervisor). Then it was time to say goodbye.

The kids went into the stadium, they were going to change into a MasterCard kit in one of the changing rooms. They were allowed to keep these. Via the parking lot of the players of Ajax (where, of course, the cool and luxurious cars had to be looked at) they went to the right dressing room. There, the kids were instructed about what was expected of them. There was also a package with something to eat before they were ready. So very nicely arranged!

Meanwhile, the parents/supervisors were already able to go to the spots in the stadium. The kids would be brought there after the “performance” as Field Hero. It was nice spots on the first ring, at the start of the penalty area. I've been worse in the Johan Cruijff ArenA!

During the warm-up, the kids were already allowed to go to the field. First, they were allowed to look into the corner on the side (just next to Humberto Tan's desk with ao. Wesley Cutter. That was already super cool for them. Then they were allowed to continue walking and take a look at the completion of the warming up at the level of the dugout. After the players finished warming up and walked towards the locker room, the atmosphere in the stadium was first tested by letting everyone wave the flags. I found it impressive, let alone those kids who stood by the field and were able to see the entire stadium.

After the atmosphere test, the balls, boys and girls were first welcomed and then it was time. Nervously, the kids took to the field in a row to get ready to welcome the players to the field (since Covid, they are no longer allowed to walk the field hand in hand, but the kids are ready and the players come behind them). At that time, they did not know which team would be behind them. Of course, little guy was hoping for Ajax. And he was lucky! He was on the side of Ajax and one of his favorite players was behind him: Steven Berghuis.

Then off the field and back to the locker room. There they were able to change clothes again or wear the MasterCard kit. And then they had to go to the other side of the stadium to join us to enjoy the game.

Unfortunately, that was a bit less enjoyable A historic defeat :-(. And the worst part is that with Ajax's goal, the kids weren't in the stands yet, but they were still on their way from the locker room to the right section. Unfortunately, I saw 6 against goals.

In short, it was a night to remember. The photos we've already received are great! There will be more photos including a photo of our little boy posing alone in a full Johan Cruijff ArenA. And another after movie of the evening. Great that MasterCard also does this. So I plan to make a nice book with all the photos when we have received everything.

#veldheld #mastercard #football #ajax #naples #footballwedstrijd #MasterCardsVeldheld #ChampionsLeague #UEFA #dreamsdocometrue #PricelessToMe