It is a party for the well -known Pentecostal Volleyball Tournament in Ekehaar. The sporting event, which has been attracting lovers from the entire region for years, is blowing out fifty candles this year. And that party is widely executed, given the turnout.
Normally there are football, but now you will find volleyball nets so far the eye. No fewer than 70 teams will compete with this during the annual Pinkersvolleyball tournament. Plus another 24 teams that deal with two against two. A miniLinic is also held. All in all, 65 children also participate.
“Whether this is the biggest event in Ekehaar? Well, there are more people here on the field than the village has inhabitants,” says co -organizer Tara Stellingwerf laughing.
Not only half the village is behind the nets, the surrounding region also knows how to find the tournament good for years. “See the cosiness and the atmosphere,” said Stellingwerf. Because that lies the attraction of the event.
Because of the anniversary, a tent has been set up on the site where there is extensive attention to history. Tiles, program booklets, photos and even a 40-minute film from the 20-year anniversary from 1993 can be admired. Corina Wiegertjes has taken on the role of tournament historian and knows everyone who wants it to tell everything about it. “I have been home to many people, among others with former board members and many volunteers. You really notice how incredibly involved people were in the tournament.” A name immediately comes to the surface: that of Jans Stoffers. In the region known as theater and songwriter.
But also in the sporting field, dusters made miles. Especially when it comes to volleyball. He acts as a referee and director at the Local Association SVDB. He is also the founder of the Pentecostal Volleyball Tournament. The tournament has a modest beginning: in 1973 it is started on three fields behind the village house with just as many teams. They played on a professional level, recreational teams did not participate, says Wiegertjes.
But the event soon gained in name and interest. The highlight was the 20th anniversary of 1993. “More than a hundred teams performed and Mooi Wark performed. It has grown considerably over the years to Great Tournament for clubs from all over Drenthe. But in the past, family teams sometimes participated in the past. that since 1989 also bears his name.
Ask the participants what the tournament has made a keeper and then it mainly comes down to a word: atmosphere. Jan Bloem from Team Flower Power can talk about it. After playing a morning, the first beers are ordered on the adjacent terrace. “How we played? Moderate. Nothing won yet.” Despite that disappointing achievement, his mood is anything but under it.
For more than thirty years he has been on the field in Ekehaar with Pentecost. “It’s just the best tournament there is. And winning or losing, that doesn’t matter at all. We used to pick up quite a few prizes here. Now we are the prize for the tournament,” he says laughing.
And then the glasses go up in the air and is toasting again on a beautiful day. A terrace full of friends and foaming beer. No cup or medal can compete with that.