Watching football together is more fun. That's according to a survey by Panelwizard commissioned by Ziggo among over a thousand Dutch football viewers. 63% of respondents said that watching football together makes for a more enjoyable viewing experience and almost 50% said that watching football together makes them happier. However, watching football together is not natural for everyone. In fact, over-65s watch alone more often than others (50%). This is why Ziggo is organising 'Support the Supporter', special UEFA European football viewing evenings for senior citizens at local football clubs in the coming months.
1.8 million over-65s in the Netherlands feel lonely, according to the National Elderly Fund. Shared interests and joint activities are some of the solutions to combat loneliness. It stimulates the brain, gives a sense of participation in society and increases social resilience.
To understand even better where the social contact needs of seniors lie, a survey was conducted among almost five hundred senior citizens in cooperation with the National Elderly Fund. Over three-quarters of respondents indicated that neighborhood activities increase social contact. According to them, watching sport can play a role in this: 64% indicate that sport connects people.
Support the Supporter
To help promote social contact, Ziggo is launching Support the Supporter with help from the National Elderly Fund. At over a hundred local football clubs and associations across the country, the telecoms company is expected to organise special evenings to watch European football together. The viewing evenings will take place from mid-September until January. Clubs and seniors can sign up from today at www.supportdesupporter.nl.
Kirsten Andres, director-director of the National Elderly Fund: "Seniors especially need the connection with others. When they hear that something is being organised in the neighbourhood, they actually go there to see if it suits them. Local club life plays a big role in this. That's why we find initiatives like Support the Supporter so valuable."
From playing together to watching together
Former professional footballer Sjaak Swart (86) is a three-time European Cup winner. He agrees on the importance of football in later life: "Now that my own football career is far behind me, I get happy watching together with friends and family. Live at the stadium, but also all that great top European football soon to be on television at home. Viewing evenings for senior citizens at local clubs are a good thing. That way, people can keep visiting each other and your social network expands."
Fleur van Beem is Strategy Director at VodafoneZiggo: "Football fraternises and is a great way to come together and share the love for sport and your club. With Support the Supporter, we seek cooperation with local club life in the Netherlands. Football clubs open their clubhouses to seniors so they can enjoy football and the contact with each other in a low-threshold and sociable way."
Yesterday was the kick-off of Support the Supporter at the Johan Cruijff Arena. For this, 50 seniors were specially invited by The National Elderly Fund and Ziggo.
Its (74): "We were invited with a whole bus full by the Elderly Fund and I really like that. Too few things are organised for seniors, often it is difficult for them to have a nice day. That Ziggo is committed to this, I think is good!"
Els (74): "Fantastic that, as a football fan, I can be part of this. I saw the initiative and I, as a football follower, recognise well the feeling of togetherness that football brings. I also watch a lot with my son! If a viewing evening is going to be organised in my area I might be there again."
Rietje (82): "I myself have been an Ajax fan for 80 years, a real football fan. I think it would be great fun to watch a game together with a group of senior citizens who are football fanatics at the local football club! The feeling of connection while watching football I recognise very well and makes this initiative so nice."
