Erik Hellendoorn, chairman of AV NOP: ‘Cleaners and handymen are worth their weight in gold’

He may turn 70 this year, but that doesn’t mean Erik Hellendoorn is sitting back. As the leader of a large athletics club, he has a lot to deal with. He is often busy with the club in his head, and he is at the Bosbaan a few times a week. He estimates that he spends fifteen to twenty hours a week working for the club. In addition, he spends a lot of time with his eleven grandchildren. No, the famous Emmeloorder doesn’t have to be bored. ‘Sometimes I have to remind myself: leave that work for a while. My wife says that sometimes too. A newsletter, for example, can easily keep me busy for a whole day.’

Weeding

Erik Hellendoorn had long decided that after his retirement he would fulfill a social role in football or athletics. It became AV NOP. He stepped in at a time when the board was significantly understaffed. Now things are a lot better. ‘Especially in the beginning, five years ago, I was called for every little thing, but I am not from the Korlatie foundation.’ With the exception of one vacancy, the board is complete. ‘The club is doing quite well,’ says Hellendoorn, who likes to roll up his sleeves and help weed weeds or clean patio tiles. ‘I also did that in ‘t Voorhuys: preparing the chairs in the Beurszaal. At least I was sure they were standing straight.’

As chairman of a sports club, you are expected to ensure that everything runs smoothly at the club. ‘But what is good? If no one grumbles, but that is a difficult task.’ Hellendoorn does not know every member by name, but if something is wrong they should know where to find him. ‘That is perhaps the most important thing: being there.’ Financially there is no problem and Hellendoorn does not complain about the number of volunteers. However, he is slightly concerned about the number of members. ‘There were more than 700. Now there are 500. That number must not drop any further.’

Second point of attention: the shortage of trainers. ‘That is what we focus on as a board. Either we have to train our own people or we have to attract good trainers from outside. You can’t solve it overnight. This problem has been going on for as long as I have been chairman.’ Hellendoorn notes that many people don’t like it. ‘Because as a trainer it is your turn on a structural basis, often twice a week. We can’t get it done yet. Many people are hesitant about the obligations, it is a difficult story. And it will be the time: everyone is busy with everything.’

Worn top layer

2024 will be a memorable year for the athletics club, because the accommodation will be overhauled from the summer onwards. After the National Championships all-around for juniors in early June, which AV NOP organizes, the worn top layer will be replaced and two courts will be added to the current six. The athletics union has also rejected the cage for hammer throw and noted that some facilities for other technical components are inadequate. ‘AV NOP absolutely wants to continue organizing National Championships. We have shown in the past that we can do that well,” says Hellendoorn. ‘These major events are good for the club and for the image of the Noordoostpolder.’

Erik Hellendoorn always looks forward to competitions such as the National Championships all-around or other running activities organized by the association. ‘A lot always has to be done in the run-up to such events,

but when the time comes, I enjoy it immensely.” Just as much as he appreciates a good board meeting. ‘Discussing together, solving problems: then you notice that you are not the only one who is concerned.’ Also wonderful: the groups of handymen and cleaners who maintain the accommodation. ‘Every Monday there are ten fanatical cleaners working. Fantastic. The handymen, including electricians and painters, tackle every job. Those people are really worth their weight in gold.’

Things can always be better, but also worse: Erik Hellendoorn counts his blessings. ‘AV NOP is a great association with many great volunteers.’ His second term as chairman ends in May next year. Then he will have six years of presidency behind him. ‘If we complete the renovation of the track successfully, my job as chairman will be over. I think I will remain a member of the running advisory committee. No, I’m not indispensable. That’s no one. If I drop out, someone else will pick up that task. It wouldn’t be good if that wasn’t the case.’