FC STRAAT and Rabobank bring street soccer to neighborhood squares in The Hague
“Are you coming back tomorrow?” The question from a young participant during the FC STRAAT kickoff in The Hague’s Schilderswijk neighborhood says it all about the initiative’s impact. The hybrid online and offline soccer club was founded by influencer and street soccer star Soufiane Touzani. By organizing tournaments across the Netherlands, the club aims to introduce children and young people to (street) soccer in a fun and accessible way. In partnership with Rabobank, the Municipality of The Hague, and community sports coaches, FC STRAAT has officially launched. From now on, three neighborhood squares in The Hague will serve as regular meeting points where young people can come together to play sports, have fun, and develop their skills.
A casual game of soccer on the neighborhood square is no longer a given for many young people. Not every area has attractive places to play or exercise. In some cases, there are too few peers outside, and indoor alternatives – like gaming – win out over physical activity.
With FC STRAAT, YouTuber and ‘panna king’ Soufiane Touzani aims to change that. The initiative doesn’t focus on building new facilities, but rather on bringing existing public squares back to life – through street soccer events and training sessions led by coaches and youth workers. They use formats and exercises familiar to kids from Touzani’s YouTube videos.
Energy comes alive on the squares
The kickoff event in The Hague immediately revealed just how much energy exists within these neighborhoods. More than 250 children came together for an afternoon filled with street soccer, skill challenges, and friendly competition – but above all, for the joy of being active together outdoors. From day one, the program has created a place where sports, social interaction, and creativity come together.
Harry Wientjens, Director of Rabobank Region The Hague, was enthusiastic about the launch: “You could see it right away on the square: energy, fun, and young people connecting with each other. That’s the power of FC STRAAT. It gets youth moving and creates real connection, right where they are. We’re proud to help make the first FC STRAAT squares in The Hague possible.”
Founder Touzani shared his excitement as well: “The best moment of the day was when kids asked when we’d be back. That shows how much need there is for permanent spaces where young people can play sports, have fun, and truly be themselves. Together, we’re building something that makes a lasting impact in the neighborhood.”
Bridging the gap between online and offline
Over the past few years, FC STRAAT has grown into one of the largest online and offline soccer communities in the Netherlands. Built on the belief that the street is more than just a place to play, the initiative encourages young people to move – literally – from watch time to play time.
Touzani emphasizes the importance of connecting digital and physical worlds: “I’m not against screen time, I’m in favor of quality screen time. Content that motivates kids to get moving, play soccer, and practice. When I used to watch highlights and saw a player make a great move, I wanted to go outside immediately to try it myself. That’s our mission with FC STRAAT: turning watch time into playtime.”
Aiming for long-term impact
FC STRAAT is currently active on around twenty neighborhood squares across the Netherlands. With Rabobank’s support, the organization aims to expand that number tenfold – to 200 locations – in the coming years. The focus is on creating a consistent, accessible offering within communities; not one-off events, but weekly moments where young people can gather.
Janine Vos, CHRO of Rabobank, explains: “FC STRAAT is an initiative that truly gets young people moving, especially in neighborhoods where sports participation isn’t a given. This partnership aligns perfectly with our ambition to contribute to health, equal opportunities, and social cohesion.”
The launch in The Hague marks another step in the nationwide expansion of FC STRAAT. The ambition is to activate many more neighborhood squares in the coming years and get thousands of young people moving.
From child to champion
Rabobank believes in the power of sports. Sports connect, inspire, and get people moving, whether you’re just starting out or pursuing elite ambitions, whether you play in your neighborhood or on the world stage.
Rabobank believes every child and young person deserves the opportunity to play outside, stay active, and develop themselves. Not only because physical activity is healthy, but also because outdoor play and sports build confidence, social skills, talent, and equal opportunities. Outside, young people learn to collaborate, handle wins and losses, persevere, and believe in themselves – skills they carry with them for life.
That’s why Rabobank invests in initiatives that promote sports participation, from ‘Rabo Dikke Banden Races” and Rabo ClubSupport to partnerships with FC STRAAT and 3X3 Unites. Together with its partners, Rabobank aims to create more accessible and inspiring places for sports in local communities, places where children and young people can meet, get active and grow.