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KNVB and ING champion Azerion Women's Eredivisie as stage for equality

KNVB Media
KNVB Media
7 March 2024, 11:00

The Captain's Dinner was organised in the Rijksmuseum's Gallery of Honour in Amsterdam. - Foto: Nikki van Toorn

In the week of International Women's Day, KNVB and ING organised a Captain's Dinner in the Rijksmuseum's Gallery of Honour on Monday evening, 4 March. This special occasion brought together the club captains from the Azerion Women's Eredivisie with a broad group of captains from beyond football to put an important issue on the agenda. Speakers at the event included Eva Jinek, Marianne van Leeuwen (KNVB director of professional football) and Peter Jacobs (CEO of ING Netherlands). They elaborated on the urgent need for equality for girls and women on and off the pitch.

The Azerion Women's Eredivisie has risen rapidly in recent years, acquiring a unique position in the Dutch football landscape. This league prides itself on welcoming everyone and setting an example on how to treat each other on and off the pitch.

Social impact

KNVB’s Marianne van Leeuwen: ‘The league emphatically strives to be a stage for social impact, in addition to its sporting ambitions. We aim to keep professionalising the league while harnessing our position to inspire young girls, our target audience, both in football and beyond. It should be normal for everyone to have equal opportunities.’

Peter Jacobs, CEO of ING Netherlands: ‘As the main sponsor of the KNVB and launching partner of the Women's Eredivisie, it is our ambition to contribute to equal opportunities for everyone. As a league partner, we are committed to contributing to the further growth and visibility of women's football in the Netherlands, so that girls and women can make their dreams of playing football professionally come true.’

Equality in football and beyond

ING is the main sponsor of the KNVB and partner of the Azerion Women's Eredivisie. It has been contributing to equal opportunities for years. KNVB and ING joined forces to organise this event in order to emphasise equality in football and beyond. 

In honour of the event, the team captains and business captains were photographed together under various works by female artists on display at the Rijksmuseum.

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