New court, new energy: 3x3 basketball is alive in Vlissingen

3 May, 2026

What started as a wish from young people in Vlissingen became reality in the last weekend of April: under bright sunshine, the renewed basketball court in the Westerzicht district was officially opened. “I’m really super proud”, says Sandy Celalic, local coordinator of 3X3 Unites in Vlissingen. “The court gives a huge positive boost to the neighborhood and makes sure young people come together to just play basketball.”

There was plenty to do during the festive opening on the renewed square: from a basketball clinic for children up to 12 years old to a pick-up game. And from a 3x3 tournament to a shared barbecue. And of course there was the official opening, attended by two aldermen and 3X3 Leaders. The aldermen not only opened the basketball court but also handed out diplomas to the young people from Vlissingen who completed the 3X3 Leader Course.

“I also gave a workshop to a new group of 3X3 Leaders”, says Sandy. He notices that the 3X3 community in Vlissingen is growing very fast. “Twelve young people signed up. And the nice thing is: half of the new group are girls. I know them through the basketball club Marathon and I asked them myself. They are friends and all very enthusiastic. I’m really proud that we can train more and more 3X3 Leaders in Vlissingen.”

The renewed basketball court in Westerzicht was partly initiated by the first group of 3X3 Leaders in Vlissingen. After completing the nine-week course, in which they worked on their life skills through 3x3 basketball, they wanted a new court where they could come together, organize activations, and build a basketball community. To make that happen, the young people worked closely with the municipality.

“This is now really the place for young people in Vlissingen to come together and play a game of basketball. In fact, I even see young people at the court who don’t play basketball themselves, but just like to hang out here”, says Sandy. “That’s a big difference compared to a few years ago. If you wanted to play on a decent court, you had to go to the Randstad. Now we have our own awesome court.”

The renewed court in Westerzicht will also host the Rabo 3x3 Street League on May 16 and 17 and on May 30 and 31, which will take place in Vlissingen for the first time. “We actually wanted to organize the 3x3 Street League last year”, says Sandy. “But back then we didn’t have 3X3 Leaders yet and no proper court in Vlissingen. Luckily, we do now.”

The second weekend of the Rabo 3x3 Street League in Vlissingen will be held on May 23 at the Lasloods. On that day, the Rabo PRO Cup will also take place there, where six men’s and six women’s teams from the Netherlands and abroad compete against each other.

The winners of the Rabo PRO Cup qualify for the FIBA 3x3 World Tour and the FIBA 3x3 Women’s Series at the 3X3 Festival.The winners of the Rabo 3x3 Street League in their city or district qualify for the finals. These will also take place at the 3X3 Festival, during the weekend of June 19 to 21, at the iconic NDSM Wharf in Amsterdam.

The 3X3 Leaders in Vlissingen help organize both the Rabo 3x3 Street League and the Rabo 3x3 PRO Cup in their city. In this way, the 3X3 Unites slogan “From the streets to the top” truly comes together in Vlissingen with the renewed basketball court. Sandy: “I’m really super proud.”