This year, 6,300 primary schools and 1.3 million children took part in the King’s Games. These included primary schools in the Netherlands and the Caribbean part of the Kingdom, as well as Dutch schools abroad. Richard Krajicek, initiator of the King’s Games, during the national opening. “I am proud that 93 percent of primary schools are taking part in the King’s Games, because research has shown that children who engage in sufficient and varied sports at a young age are more likely to continue playing sports and exercising later in life as well.”
National opening of the King’s Games
The 650 pupils from primary schools KBS Klippeholm and CBS Vesterhavet enjoyed a healthy breakfast, a performance by Kinderen voor Kinderen with Daba Die Daba Daa, and the sporting activities during the national opening.
The festive launch was carried out by the Royal Couple, together with presenters Ron Boszhard and Britt Dekker and children from the schools. The theme ‘Discover!’ was made visible through the various sports outfits worn by the children during the opening. After the large orange button was pressed, the sky turned orange and the festive day could begin. Maarten van Ooijen, State Secretary for Health, Welfare and Sport, was also present alongside the Royal Couple.
The theme: Discover!
With the theme ‘Discover!’, children are being challenged during this year’s King’s Games to try new things related to exercise and healthy food. Discovering makes children curious, helps them develop new skills and, above all, is great fun.
For inspiration, the schools received a sports and celebration package containing sports equipment and game ideas, the free Jumbo King’s Breakfast and an online activity and exercise programme for use in the classroom. Schools also have the opportunity to establish a connection with a local sports provider. In this way, the King’s Games encourages long-term partnerships.
About the King’s Games
The King’s Games were first organised in 2013 as part of the inauguration of King Willem-Alexander, with the aim of showing children in primary education and their parents that having a good breakfast together and being physically active are important, but above all, great fun. Schools decide for themselves how the King’s Games are organised.
The King’s Games receive financial and/or facilitating support from the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport (VWS), the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science (OCW), Jumbo Supermarkets, PostNL, Healthy School, JOGG, Kinderen voor Kinderen, Zappsport, Interimage, Pantar and the Knowledge Centre for Sport and Exercise. National coordination of the King’s Games is managed by the Krajicek Foundation and the Johan Cruyff Foundation.
Photography: Roos Pierson.