Leaders of Unites #133 - Tamar Witteveen

29 April, 2026

"The best part of the 3X3 Leader Course is to see young people grow."

I grew up in a real basketball family

My name is Tamar Witteveen and I am 21 years old. I was born in Zwolle and I have lived there all my life. I grew up in a real basketball family. My brothers Lenno and Kristan played basketball and were part of the elite sports academy CSE. They are both also active within 3X3 Unites. At home we often talked about basketball and we had a hoop in the garden.

Sometimes I would shoot some balls with my brothers, but more often I went with my father to the court in the neighbourhood or played with other kids from the area. Lenno is ten years older than me, so there was quite a big difference. At some point he was already playing for the first team of Landstede.

As a child I wanted to do a different sport every week: horse riding, hockey, dancing. I tried everything.

I joined Landstede when I was six, but I was quite changeable. Every week I told my parents I wanted to try a different sport. Horse riding, hockey, dancing - everything came up, haha. But in the end I never actually tried them. I only swam for a while because I had to get my diplomas.

Even though I now play for Landstede again, I have played for different clubs. During high school I - just like my brothers - played for the elite sports academy CSE for 4.5 years. But in my fourth year I had a bad relationship with my coach. I also realised I was not good enough to become a professional, so I no longer saw the point of training nine times a week. I lost the fun.

After half a year back at Landstede, I moved to US in Amsterdam through Daud Bwefar, whom I have known since I was young. He was the coach there. I had to travel from Zwolle to Amsterdam, but my brother lived there, so I often stayed with him after training. I wanted to play at a slightly higher level again, but after one season it became mentally too demanding.

Now I have been playing for Landstede again for the second season, at a slightly lower level. Sometimes I miss the challenge and the tactical side of the game. But this is better for me, and I have accepted that. And most importantly: I have completely found my joy in basketball again.

During the 3X3 Leader Course I really discovered that 3X3 Unites is much more than a basketball organisation

I already knew about 3X3 Unites a few years ago when I had to do an internship for my marketing studies. Daud was my coach at US, Jesper Jobse was my teacher at the CSE academy, and the 3X3 Leader Course was already being organised in Zwolle. The plan was that I would do a marketing internship, but I quickly found out that I enjoyed teaching kids in Amsterdam much more.

During the 3X3 Leader Course I really discovered that 3X3 Unites is much more than a basketball organisation. Basketball is just the tool to help young people develop their talents and life skills. I really enjoyed following the Leader Course, but I learned even more when I started giving it myself. For example: thinking in solutions, showing respect, and communicating.

The best part of the Leader Course is seeing young people grow. At the beginning they are often a bit shy or reserved. But over time they open up more and you see them develop. I really recognise that from my own past. I was also shy and often thought I was not good at something. Until I just tried and turned out to have talent. That is what I now tell the young people as well.

When I go to the court in summer, I often take my dog Nacho with me

Sometimes my dog Nacho can really get on my nerves, especially when I am already overstimulated and he adds even more energy. But at other times he is also there for me when I am not feeling great. He senses that. Then he puts his head on my legs and I really calm down.

When I go to play basketball at the court in the summer, I often take him with me. It is fun, but also useful: Nacho can rebound. When I shoot the ball, he brings it back to me. Nacho is a border collie, so he does not like to sit still. In that way we are alike: we are both active.We have had him at home for 4.5 years now.

More or less by coincidence. My sister, who lives on her own, saw Nacho on Facebook and decided to adopt him. But her landlord did not allow another dog in the apartment. So he came to stay with us temporarily, although that “temporary” situation became permanent.

I would like to take the next steps within 3X3 Unites

I stopped studying marketing and I am now in my final year of Sports and Exercise. I also work about ten hours a week for 3X3 Unites. I am a local coordinator in Zwolle. I give the 3X3 Leader Course myself, guide the 3X3 Leaders and I am their point of contact. I really enjoy doing it.

After this year I will finish my studies and I hope to work more for 3X3 Unites. I would like to take the next steps within the organisation, just like my brother Lenno has done. He is currently Program Lead at 3X3 Unites. I feel at home at 3X3 Unites and I enjoy working with young people the most.