Legacy Art Court in Westerpark. Image: Dusan Jocic, 3X3 UNITES
3X3 UNITES, Westergas Foundation & Stadsdeel West open new basketball court in Westerpark
A brand new basketball court has been installed in Westerpark at the Cité des Arts, next to the Ton Ton Club. Known as the Legacy Art Court, this space is not only a sports facility but also a work of art designed by Amsterdam-based artist Ruben Jonker and selected by local residents through a public vote.
The official opening of the Legacy Art Court will take place on Thursday, May 8th, from 16:00 to 17:30, with a festive event featuring Olympic champion Worthy de Jong and Alderman Sofyan Mbarki. De Jong, who began his basketball journey on the playgrounds of the Bijlmer, is living proof of how sport can turn dreams into reality.
What makes the court truly unique is the involvement of the local community. Residents were invited to vote for their favorite design on the 3X3 UNITES website. The winning artwork was then painted on the court by Jonker himself, together with local youth. The project is further supported by basketball specialist Nijha, who through Amsterdam’s Social Return initiative contributed a special golden hoop for the Legacy Art Court.
The Westergas Foundation highlights the significance of the project:
“The Legacy Art Court brings color and expression to the park. At the Westergas Foundation, our mission is to make art and culture more accessible. Together with Stadsdeel West, we bring art into public spaces. We also initiate and support projects created for, by, and with the local community especially emerging talents. That’s why this collaboration with 3X3 UNITES is such a great fit: they empower young people from Amsterdam West through the 3X3 Leader Course. For, by, and with the neighborhood.”
3X3 Leader Course in Westerpark. Image: Maarten Groot
3X3 Leader Course: Empowering Youth to Become Community Leaders
Alongside the creation of the Legacy Art Court, the 3X3 Leader Course offers local youth the opportunity to develop their leadership skills. This initiative brings together sport, art, and youth development with the goal of making a positive impact on the community. Over the course of eight weeks, twelve young people from the neighborhood are trained under the guidance of 3×3 international coach Jacopo Bertotti. They learn not only how to lead on the basketball court, but also how to make a meaningful difference in their local environment.
After completing the course, participants immediately put their new skills into action by organizing free weekly 3×3 basketball activities for youth in the area. During the event on May 8, a new edition of the Leader Course will officially kick off. The leadership program in Westerpark is part of the Maatschappelijke Diensttijd (MDT), a national initiative that encourages young people to grow through sports and volunteer work. “Especially now, with potential budget cuts on the horizon, it’s important to show the true value of MDT,” says the organization.
About 3X3 UNITES
The 3X3 UNITES Foundation uses 3×3 basketball as a tool to help vulnerable youth pursue their dreams and take control of their lives—whether as athletes on the court or as influential figures off it. Through 3×3, the world’s largest urban team sport, the community supports the personal and social growth of individuals and their surroundings. Locally trained role models lead neighborhood events and contribute to major international tournaments.
About Westergas Foundation
Westergas is committed to making art and culture accessible to everyone. To support this mission, the Westergas Foundation was established, aiming to make art and culture more inclusive for all Amsterdammers. Each year, Westergas and its partners donate to the foundation, funding art and culture projects in the cultural village, supporting talent development, and increasing access to its programming.
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Note to editors
If you’d like to attend the launch event on May 8, please confirm via the contacts below. For interview requests with Worthy de Jong, contact Femina Hoekstra. For interview requests with Sofyan Mbarki, reach out to Steven Schotte.
Contacts
Westergas – Mercedes Coco Huis: mercedes@westergas.nl | +31 6 42426521
3×3 UNITES – Femina Hoekstra: femina@3x3unites.com
Sofyan Mbarki – Steven Schotte: s.schotte@amsterdam.nl | +316 38 74 77 39