Leaders of Unites #120: Nathanael Cats
"It’s great to see how much the number of 3X3 Leaders in Haarlem has grown"
I come from a religious family and have been going to church since I was little
My name is Nathanael, I’m 18 years old, born in Amsterdam, and I moved to Haarlem almost ten years ago. I have a younger brother, three years my junior, and we have a really good relationship. We often play basketball on the Xbox together. To be honest, he usually wins, which puts a big grin on his face. When I win, I like to tease him a little.
I was raised in a Christian family and have gone to church on Sundays for as long as I can remember. Back then, I went to church in Hoofddorp, but these days I’m part of a church community in Haarlem. I know a lot of people there, and they really feel like family to me. My faith also means a lot. Through it, I can have a personal relationship with Jesus.
What I love about faith is that grace exists, no matter what has happened in our lives. My faith gives me support and comfort that I can’t find anywhere else. I read the Bible every day. It gives me strength and wisdom, and it helps me discover my identity. It also boosts my confidence and puts a smile on my face.
I play basketball with Hot Pepper Heat in Zwanenburg and also play piano
I’ve been playing piano since 2019. My mom gave me a keyboard back then because she thought it would be nice if I learned. That turned out to be a really good choice, because I love making music. Nowadays, I also play in church once or twice a month. Over the years, I’ve taken piano more and more seriously, so I’ve had to learn how to balance my priorities.
Besides playing piano, I also play basketball. I used to be a member of Onze Gezellen Basketball in Haarlem-Noord, but now I play for Hot Pepper Heat in Zwanenburg. I’m on the second team, though last season I often joined the first team’s games as well. This season, I’m mainly playing with the second team, which I’m totally fine with. It’s a fun team, and I’ve become good friends with a lot of the guys.
I think it was about two seasons ago that I first got in touch with 3X3 Unites through my club. After one training session, they gave us a little explanation about what 3X3 Unites does, and then we played pick-up basketball. I really liked it. I thought: hey, more basketball without having to pay extra? Count me in, haha.
I quickly knew I wanted to join the Leader Course. It really appealed to me, especially because I enjoy connecting with young people and being a role model in the community. I already try to do that in my church community, but now I could also do it through basketball. I’m a patient person, and I really enjoy calmly and clearly explaining things at different levels.
It’s great to see how much the number of 3X3 Leaders in Haarlem has grown
You can often find me at Reinaldapark in Haarlem. It’s great to see how much the number of 3X3 Leaders here has grown. At first, we only held three or four activations a month. Now, it’s more like three or four a week. I try to constantly build bridges between younger and older players. That can still be pretty challenging sometimes.
But I like thinking about how to make it work. What’s the best approach? Which decision should I take now? I’m really glad I took the Leader Course. I learned a lot from it, and I now even have a nice side job. I actually earn money by playing basketball for two hours. That really feels like a blessing.
This past summer, I graduated from high school (havo). A few weeks ago, I started studying Industrial Design Engineering in The Hague. Basically, it means I’ll be able to design anything that’s produced in a factory-pens, chairs, packaging, you name it. I like being creative and having the freedom that comes with it.
I also experience that same sense of freedom when playing 3x3 basketball on outdoor courts. I enjoy coming up with new drills during activations and just having fun with all the kids. You build connections quickly. What I love most is when everyone has a smile on their face. If the kids are happy, then I’m happy too.
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