The amateurs of RKAV Volendam are at the top of the third division. Berry Smit’s team won 1-0 against DOVO on Saturday and afterwards there was a lot of fun in the dressing room. “We won our first match this season when the Volendammer fair was on. Then I turned on that picture. It continued like that throughout the season,” said goalkeeper Dion Vlak.
While the amateurs from Volendam are doing well, the professionals from FC Volendam are not doing well. They are last in the Premier League and relegation is in the air. “I have a season ticket and you want to watch great football with your friends. That is not the case at all now,” says Nick Runderkamp.
Volendam boys
Runderkamp played at FC Volendam from 2015 to 2020 and is now captain of RKAV Volendam. In the pros, players are recruited from outside, while in the amateurs they only use Volendammer boys. “We cannot compete in the top of the first division, let alone the Premier League. Only what we do in the amateurs is incredibly beautiful,” says the proud Runderkamp.
NH Sport made a report on Saturday about the successful team of friends. That day started around 12 noon in Volendam at the family’s home. Part of the selection cycles from there to the amateur complex. Vlak: “I don’t want to brag, but we are the strongest team of friends in the Netherlands.”