SV Real Sranang exists 62 years. Founded in 1960 by a number of migrants from Suriname, the club from Amsterdam has grown into more than a football club. Program maker Koen Bugter investigates what makes the club so special. In this fourth and final episode, we see how the youth are taught discipline and ambition and we play a game of trump calls.
SV Real Sranang not only has older teams, but also a thriving youth. Although the club is multicultural, there are mainly many youth players with Surinamese roots. It gives the boys and girls a sense of self-worth. “It gives me confidence. I feel comfortable here, we all have the same culture.”
Self confidence
That self-confidence is something that the first generations of migrants also felt when they played football at SV Real Sranang. Joyce Sylvester, dike warden of the Amstel, Gooi en Vecht water board, used to be a sports journalist and visited the club as a young woman. “The club is really important, also for integration. People could help each other if there were problems at work, with their children or at school. But also with questions such as: ‘how do I fill in this form?’.” You could consult each other for everything. That was necessary, because parents often still lived in Suriname. The calling costs were still very high at that time, so you really had to have it together. I believe that generation survived because they had each other and could exchange tips with each other.”
“The club is really very important, also for integration”
Proud of yourself
Hendrik Comvalius benefited greatly from his football time at SV Real Sranang. “I learned a lot from intellectuals who told me about black consciousness. I learned from players and supporters that you can be proud of yourself as a black person.”
Meanwhile, today’s children learn a lot from their coach. “They have to tidy up their things, bring in things from outside and be on time. I see it as a bit of education for the children. When they are in the field they are mine and then it is my role to give them some to bring.”
In his own words, the coach can be strict at times. “They have to, you have to tackle them a bit now and then. I try to convey it well. I also hope that they learn something from it that they can apply in society, for example arriving on time.” The kids don’t mind, they say. “It is for our own good that he is so strict.”
Trump call
In the evening, older members of SV Real Sranang play trump calls every week. A traditional Surinamese card game. “It’s a party game. It’s very important to meet each other like this,” says Raymond de Vries. Top scorer Guno Zorgvol also appears that evening, not to play cards, but for fun. And that is also typical Real Sranang.