The men’s team is also suffering financially, cutting 10 (non-playing) jobs at the club
Translated by Thomas Ansell
Tomorrow morning one of the meeting rooms at SC Heerenveen’s Abe Lenstrastadion will be turned into a call-centre, as Heerenveen’s womens team attempt to crowd-fund their season. The goal is to convince two hundred ‘friends of the club’ to each give 347 euros in funds. This would raise 70,000 euros to keep the team running.
The men’s team was in an unfortunate financial position, in 2019, and had to take on debt to guarantee salaries. At the end of last season, however, they found more financial breathing room with the near- 11.6 million euro sale of Chidera Ejuke to CSKA Moscow. This week the men’s team also cut 10 jobs at the club to save money.
As reported by the Omrop Fryslân, the footballers have taken it upon themselves to each get in touch with business contacts to raise the money. During the Coronavirus outbreak the SC Heerenveen’s men’s team has been able to keep itself running with income from player transfers and running training courses- however the women’s team does not receive the same support.
Jessica Roosenburg, the Chair of SC Heerenveen-vrouwen says that the women’s team survives with the support of volunteers and monetary support from local businesses. Roosenburg is a local entrepreneur herself, and so is well-placed to know that once business slows down, sponsorships are often cancelled first.
“It’s not great. Lots of companies also have pressure on their finances- and finding large sponsors is very difficult. So we should: if we look for a number of smaller sponsors our task is broken up. We’ll begin calling businesses in Heerenveen and its surroundings. We’re in the Northern Netherlands, and there’s plenty of chances”.
