The AAC’61 athletics track is completely ready for the Dutch Multi-Athlon Championship, which will be held this weekend in Assen. The white lines have been laid, the markings have been applied and most of the party tents have been set up. A beautiful view for Ruben Draaijer, chairman of the organizing foundation.
“You spend six months in advance recruiting enough volunteers. That is an ongoing process towards the National Championships. It involves planning, including the competition itself. But also all kinds of facility matters, so you see all kinds of tents behind me, a toilet, you name it.” In addition to the group of volunteers who set everything up, the organization will also rely heavily on voluntary support this coming weekend. “We have about a hundred volunteers every day. Some help for half a day, others for two days, but about a hundred per day.”
It is a great opportunity for Asser athletics club AAC’61 to show themselves. Although the organization is officially in the hands of the Topatletiek Noord Nederland foundation. Among the participants in the National Championships there is also one member of the association. Carlijn Enting is at the start for the U18 girls. A unique home game.
“All-around competitions are usually in the South of the Netherlands,” says Carlijn Enting. “I often go there with my trainer a day in advance. Then you sleep there, which is different from your own bed. And if you forget something you can’t get back and forth quickly.”
Draaijer also notices that many competitions are in the South and Central Netherlands. That is one of the reasons why the Top Athletics North Netherlands foundation was founded. With success, next weekend the ONK para-athletics will also be in Assen. And the NK U18 and U20 are scheduled for next year, again at AAC’61.
“It is a great opportunity for AAC’61 to show themselves,” Draaijer confirms. “But what I actually like even more is that we can put athletics better on the map in the Northern Netherlands with this event.”
Carlijn Enting is therefore on the eve of a home tournament. The supporters will know where to find her. “It does create a certain pressure because I am the only one from the course itself, from our club, who participates. That also creates pressure, but it is really fun.”