From dream to community: Imke gives 3X3 Unites a place in Rotterdam

When asked what Imke enjoys most about giving the 3X3 Leader Course, she does not have to think long about her answer. “In the beginning, the young people are reserved. Most of them find it difficult to answer my questions and laugh a little awkwardly”, she says. “But throughout the course, they get to know each other and really start working together. They take charge. I really love seeing that development.”

This year, two Leader Courses are being held simultaneously in Rotterdam for the first time. One on Monday and the other on Tuesday. Both groups are fully committed to working towards their final event, which marks the conclusion of the Leader Course. “We decided to hold two Leader Courses at the same time because we had so many registrations. We find personal contact important and want the young people to get to know each other well. That is more difficult in a very large group.”

The fact that so many young people in Rotterdam signed up for the 3X3 Leader Course was no coincidence. At the beginning of this year, Imke decided to take on the challenge and set up a 3x3 programme in Rotterdam. She received help from David Timmerman, local lead in Rotterdam, and Luka Glušac, local lead in Dordrecht. “There was already a group of 3X3 Leaders in Rotterdam because a few Leader Courses had been held four years ago. But apart from that, there was no programme or other activations”, says Imke.

Within 3X3 Unites, she completed the training to become a trainer because she saw opportunities in Rotterdam and wanted to get to work on them. She herself grew up just outside Rotterdam and has now been living in the city for seven years. “Rotterdam is an authentic city that, in terms of character, fits well with 3X3 Unites: no words, but action. In addition, there is a large basketball community, and there are also young people living here who come from difficult situations and could use some support.”

This is evident from the fact that there are several youth organisations in Rotterdam that also focus on the basketball community. “We do not want to get in the way of those organisations, but mainly want to look at what we can add with 3X3 Unites and how we can potentially work together to meet the needs of young people.”

This is how Imke made sure that the Rabo 3x3 Street League came to Rotterdam for the first time this year. She received help from 3X3 Leaders who had taken part in the Leader Course a few years ago. “It felt like a kind of connection with the past and a new beginning with these young people”, says Imke.

More than 40 teams took part, spread over three weekends. “It was a great success”, she says. “More teams took part every weekend. Some young people who came to watch during the first weekend took part themselves the following weekend. It is great that we introduced young people to 3X3 Unites in such an accessible way and put on a great tournament.”

Together with David and Luca, she then recruited young people for the 3X3 Leader Course. Twenty young people took part. They were divided into two groups and are preparing for their final event. Imke’s group is organising a 3x3 tournament on the small square in Beverwaard, a neighbourhood in southeast Rotterdam. “It would be great if, after the Leader Course, we could continue with activations on that square and build a community there.”

Because that is what Imke wants: to continue building the 3x3 community in Rotterdam. “I think it would be great to work together with other organisations so that we can meet the needs of young people as well as possible”, she says. “It would also be great if we could hold a 3X3 Girls Only Course and organise an event specifically for girls. And if I am going to dream out loud anyway: who knows, perhaps in a few years we could bring a Challenger or World Tour event to Rotterdam with our own community.”