Rotterdam, Netherlands, April 13, 2015 - Rebekka Kadijk is tournament ambassador for the FIVB Beach Volleyball World Championships The Netherlands 2015 in Rotterdam. The former beach volleyball player is looking forward to a beautiful summer of sports in her home town.
"The Beach Volleyball World Championships are buzzing in this city. People in Rotterdam are spoiled with great sporting events. They are, however, aware what a big event the upcoming World Championships are going to be. Not only in Rotterdam, but in the whole of the Netherlands you can feel the excitement for the tournament growing bigger. People tell me how excited they are to see the World Championships in the Netherlands.
"The World Championships are not limited to six days of high-level sport in Rotterdam. In the run-up to the event, all sorts of activities are organised to make the public familiar with beach volleyball. Clinics are taking place at schools, and clubs are involved too. I am an ambassador for Beach Club Rotterdam, where a lot is organised ahead of the tournament.
"The players can’t wait for the World Championships to begin. At the presentation of the countdown clocks in Rotterdam - with 100 days to go - I spoke with Alexander Brouwer and Robert Meeuwsen. For Rotterdam, it is terrific that we can welcome the world champions. Although they have a great record, Alexander and Robert are still young guns who get inspired by stadiums in special locations. Playing in front of the ss Rotterdam with friends and family attending means a lot to them.
"Rotterdam is fortunate with the teams playing here during the pool phase. Brouwer and Meeuwsen have a tough draw with the European champions in their group. In the women’s event, I’m interested in Holtwick/Semmler from Germany and the Chinese women, whom I think of as outsiders. I know a lot of the players from my playing days. I’m looking forward to welcome them to Rotterdam.
"Last weekend, the heart rate of all sports fans in Rotterdam rose. On Sunday, the Marathon Rotterdam was held with 40.000 runners taking part and a million people visiting the city for the event. I was responsible for the business teams during this event. The marathon marks the start of a great summer of sports in Rotterdam, with the Beach Volleyball World Championships to be followed by the women’s Volleyball European Championship. Both as a Rotterdam resident and as a former athlete, I think it is great to be involved in such great sporting events. Rotterdam will show itself once more as a city of sports.”