On Saturday afternoon, 10 June, a very special Derby of the Low Countries is scheduled for the KDB Cup: at noon, the Red Flamingos, our national Amputation football team, will take on the Amputation football team of the Netherlands. At the same time, the G-teams from Kortrijk and Sint-Amandsberg will also give each other a match.
Some employees of an orthopaedic company founded the non-profit association Amp Football Belgium in 2013. The noble goal: the social integration of amputees of all ages, gender and origin, by having them play football together regularly at national and international level. In 2016, the 'Red Flamingos' were recognised as a national team by the Belgian Football Federation. Which has since played two European Championships, as proud ambassadors of Belgian Amputation Football.
The first training sessions took place in 2012, with a few people wanting to give it a try. It caught on immediately. Last year, the association organised open training sessions throughout Flanders. That paid off too: recently, there have been weekly training sessions in East and West Flanders, but also in the Antwerp and Brussels regions. There are currently four players in the youth team.
Nations League 2023 in our country
2023 should be the year of the breakthrough, with the start of several Pro League clubs (which will hopefully soon be able to cause a furore in the Champions League, Europa League and other competitions), the further development of the youth operation and, as icing on the cake, the very first Nations League. Amp Football Belgium succeeded in bringing one of the four series to our country. Our Red Flamingos will play Greece, Ukraine, Georgia and Israel in early October in Blankenberge.
More than football
Amp Football (and Amp Football Belgium asbl) is about more than just football. Above all, it is about a group of friends having fun together - a group where everyone is equal: young, old, sexual orientation, origin, etc. Everyone can also talk freely with others about life's challenges. For some, this is the 'boost' they need to participate fully in society again. In short: one big clean family!
All info can be found at https://www.ampfootballbelgium.com/
