Sjoel association De Brikkenmikkers from Klazienaveen is quite successful. Earlier this month, one of their members became world champion at the World Shuffleboard Championships in Gelderland. And today the association celebrates its 40th anniversary. But whether they can stick to that for another forty years remains to be seen.
It is an us knows us, today in the De Zon sports hall in Klazienaveen. The canteen is full of shuffleboard fanatics from various associations such as the Kleppersjoelers from Hardenberg, Sjoelclub Schavuit from Assen and German clubs. Today they are playing an anniversary tournament at De Brikkenmikkers, where they play forty games of shuffleboard. One for each year that the association has existed.
Gradus Mensen was there from the start. After forty years at the football club, he started playing shuffleboard and has been doing so for just as long now. “Where did the time go?” People wonder. “Because forty years is a long time! You normally hardly ever hear that.”
And he hasn’t had enough of it yet. People: “We all have good comrades here. It remains nice work. Every Tuesday evening we go shuffleboard and drink coffee and have a nice chat. That remains nice.”
Yet there is one thing he would like to see different: “We would like to have some youth, but how do we get that?” This is a problem that affects several associations. The sport is aging and it is not always possible to attract enough young people.
“When I look back 35 years ago, it is the same faces that I still see,” says board member Nico Stuut. “There are few new people.” The association focuses on promotion by, for example, giving workshops at secondary schools.
Gradus Mensen is also there sometimes, such as recently at Esdal College. “The children thought it was nice, but when it’s over they pick up the phone again and they’re gone. That phone actually ruined everything.” The men cannot say whether De Brikkenmikkers will still exist in another forty years. Stuut: “We try to get as many members as possible, but it is very difficult.”
These reflections should not spoil the fun today. People play enthusiastically in the sports hall and the participants celebrate together with a snack, a drink and live music. In between there is also time for a shuffleboard lesson from Mensen: “Anyone can play shuffleboard, but you have to look carefully. It’s just like with football, you have to look carefully where you have to hit it.”
See how the anniversary tournament went here: