State Secretary Van Ooijen happy with ‘insane’ Moving Village Norg

State Secretary Maarten van Ooijen was enthusiastic today during his working visit to Beweegdorp Norg. Van Ooijen called it ‘insane’ what the Norger foundation manages to achieve.

Beweegdorp Norg was founded about twelve years ago to fill gaps in the village’s sports offer. “We didn’t want to set up an event organization, but offer support where possible,” explains chairman Chris Koeneman.

Less medicines

Beweegdorp Norg offers this support through the deployment of sports coaches, among other things. For this, the foundation receives a project subsidy for three years. “We are now on the verge of receiving that subsidy on a structural basis.”

Alderman Jeroen Westendorp wholeheartedly supports the project and the foundation. He speaks of a ‘unique example in the Netherlands’. “Sports and health merge here.” With this, Westendorp refers, among other things, to the signals from the general practitioner, who sees that participants need less medication.

Easier to move

This is partly due to the Beweegreden and Wandelreden programmes. Norgers are put to exercise, with professional guidance in the background from, among others, a GP and physiotherapist.

“We are at the forefront of the health issue,” says Koeneman. “You also see this in the program for toddlers. They are exposed to all kinds of exercise at a young age, so that they can keep moving more easily.”

40,000 euros

State Secretary Van Ooijen thinks that Beweegdorp Norg can serve as an example. “Just look at the title, it describes it perfectly. You often see that moving is something someone’s own, but here it is something of the village.”

Beweegdorp Norg currently receives a subsidy of 40,000 euros per year. This keeps the costs for participants in the various activities low. “What you guys are doing with that money is amazing,” he said. “In the field of prevention, this is an excellent initiative. Exercise keeps coming back as a solution, means or opportunity to get started.”

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