Leaders of Unites #118 - Anisa Turhan
"I tell young people there are always different ways to reach your goal"
I often played football with my neighbor in the street
My name is Anisa. I’m 16 years old and I’m from Arnhem, where I still live. I have an older brother and a younger sister. I had a really nice childhood growing up in the Presikhaaf neighborhood, and I was often outside playing. Sometimes I played with my brother, but usually with my neighbors. Most of the time, we played football. And if they couldn’t join, I’d just play on my own in the street.
I’ve always loved football. At school, I often joined the boys’ games. Being the only girl didn’t bother me. I just loved being outside and playing. Besides, the boys at school knew me, which definitely helped.
Things were different when I joined my first football club, Eendracht Arnhem, at the age of nine. The boys assumed I couldn’t play just because I was a girl. They treated me differently and didn’t want to pass me the ball. But I kept going and never gave up. I just wanted to play football.
Since then, I’ve played for several clubs. After Eendracht, I moved to Elsweide, where I played for two seasons. Last year, I joined SML, where for the first time I played with other girls. I never had a problem playing with boys, but I also enjoy playing with girls. Next season, I’ll be playing for v.v. Eldenia.
I’m proud of myself for not giving up
During my early years at a club, it sometimes bothered me that the boys treated me differently because I was a girl. But I’m proud of myself for not quitting and for continuing to play simply because I love it. I still dream of becoming a professional football player one day.
Ideally, I’d love to play in Spain in the future, either for Barcelona or Real Madrid. Real Madrid is my favorite club, but Barcelona’s women’s team is stronger. To reach that goal, I train at least three times a week: twice with my club and often once on my own.
In my free time, I like going to a local pitch to work on my condition, do technical drills, and improve my shooting. After the summer, I’ll be starting my MBO study to become a law enforcement officer (Handhaver BOA), so I’ll have to see how much time I have left for training. I recently graduated from vmbo.
I tell young people there are always different ways to reach your goal
I first got involved with 3X3 Unites in secondary school. In class, we were told about the 3X3 Leader Course. Even though I hadn’t played much basketball before, I was interested in learning more about how to organize activities and build a community. Plus, I enjoy any sport.
During the 3X3 Leader Course, I learned how to create games and how to motivate or support someone who’s going through a rough time. Sometimes, people feel like giving up when things get tough, but quitting isn’t an option. Now I tell young people: if your plan doesn’t work, make a new plan. There’s always more than one way to reach your goal.
I completed the 3X3 Leader Course in 2023. Since then, I’ve been organizing activities at school myself. Most of the time, I just let young people play matches against each other, that’s what they enjoy the most. And I love seeing how much fun they have. For me, being a 3X3 Leader is like having the perfect side job: I get to do something I enjoy and earn a little money as well.
I use the skills I learned from the 3X3 Leader Course in other places too
I’m also involved with FC Straat, a street football initiative that helps young people be more active through football. I referee and create the teams. What’s great is that I can also apply the skills I learned in the 3X3 Leader Course here, like positive coaching, organizing activities, and bringing young people together.
The new season at v.v. Eldenia is about to start, and I can’t wait to get back on the pitch a few times a week. As for what else I want to do with 3X3 Unites in the future, I’m not entirely sure yet. We’ll see.
But one thing is certain: I definitely want to keep organizing activities. And I want to tell every young person to take the 3X3 Leader Course. At first, I didn’t really know what it was either, but it turned out to be so much fun and super valuable. You get to be outside, meet new people, and develop important life skills.
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