Aston Villa favourite Ron Vlaar has been working with the club again this week, on a very good cause indeed.
1908 cover the situation today, explaining that Feyenoord and Aston Villa have been ‘collaborating intensively’ and Vlaar has been involved.
They explain that in the lead-up to Thursday’s Europa League match on Thursday several employees from Aston Villa were guests in Rotterdam to participate in a number of activities and projects.
Vlaar, who played for both clubs, also joined in. The exchange is focused on social issues and started with a visit to a Zuidblinkers lesson, focused on mental health. Students asked questions about the influence of social media on their well-being. They were then given practical tips from the Aston Villa on how to deal with it.
It’s all part of the UEFA Take Care campaign. Mental health is one of the six pillars of that. It’s an initiative seeking to harness the power of football to promote healthier lifestyles and positive habits.
After that first session, the Aston Villa delegation then visited Dream Space, where children made a pedometer and learned 21st century skills. Villa run a similar project at their own club.
The initiative closed with a sporting event that saw 150 children participate in a sports festival packed with activities. They made healthy drinks, trained in football and enjoyed various activities. Vlaar got on the pitch with them and was delighted.
“I saw so many smiling faces today,” he said.
“It’s wonderful that I was able to play a part in that. I think it’s important that the clubs that play against each other collaborate, because in my opinion, it creates connection above all.”
