From Youth Worker to 3X3 Leader: Dylan Is Making an Impact in Flevoland

Much of that growth is down to Dylan, who set up a 3x3 programme in both cities with support from Lenno and Sportbedrijf Lelystad, the local sports organisation. “There is a lot of talent in Lelystad and Almere”, Dylan says. He should know: he was born and raised in Almere and spent years working as a youth worker in both cities. “That meant I already knew a lot of young people.”

Dylan was just 18 when he started working as a youth worker. He saw many people his own age going down the wrong path and getting involved with drugs and crime. “I wanted to do something for young people and help them get back on the right track”, he says. “As a youth worker, I could help keep them off the streets by offering them positive alternatives.”

He organised after-school football and basketball activities, among other things. It did not take long for him to realise that more young people were interested in basketball than football. “The sessions got more fun and attracted more people every week. That encouraged us to organise more activities. At one point, we also decided to start running small 3x3 tournaments.”

One of those tournaments featured 12 teams and attracted more than 150 spectators. “I thought, ‘Wow, this is amazing!’ I never expected so many people to show up.” Dylan posted a video of the tournament on Instagram. Lenno saw it too and was impressed. He reached out to Dylan and visited him to discuss the possibilities. Dylan was interested in taking the 3X3 Leader Course and getting involved with 3X3 Unites..

“I had never heard of 3X3 Unites, but Lenno’s story really impressed me”, Dylan says. “He told me about the 3X3 Leader Course and how basketball can help young people develop life skills.” Dylan completed the Leader Course in Lelystad last year and immediately said he wanted to take on more responsibility. “The funny thing is, I’m not really into basketball myself. But I love working with young people and helping them develop life skills through the sport.”

These life skills can take many forms, from teamwork and taking responsibility to leadership and communication. “Sometimes it’s about really basic things”, Dylan says. “But communicating clearly doesn’t come naturally to everyone. Some young people, for example, don’t show up for an activation and don’t let anyone know. I explain to them that they need to communicate when that happens.”

So far, two Leader Courses have been held in Lelystad, and 17 3X3 Leaders have received their certificates. Four activations take place there every week, catering to different age groups. These range from pickup games for older young people to 3x3 basketball clinics for the youngest participants. There is also a weekly activation in Almere. “Almere is hungry for it”, Dylan says. “It’s my job to get young people excited and involved.”

So far, things are going well. The community is growing quickly, Dylan says. He points to the WhatsApp group he set up, which already has more than 85 young people who want to play basketball or take part in the activations, some more regularly than others. By comparison, the WhatsApp group in Lelystad has around 80 members. “Almere is a giant waking up. It’s great to be able to play a part in that.”

His role as local coordinator in Lelystad and Almere gives him a lot of energy. “I always really enjoyed working as a youth worker, but I’m glad I made the move to 3X3 Unites. They give me a lot of freedom, and I have room to be creative. I really enjoy that.”

As an example, he mentions the 1 vs 1 tournament he came up with himself and organised in October. “I think it’s great that I can do this for young people in Almere, because I was born and raised there myself.” It is also a message to other young people from 3X3 Leaders: “Take initiative, develop your ideas and come up with cool events or activations. You get those opportunities at 3X3 Unites.”