From Sports Hall to Theatre Hall/Reception Area/Dining Hall
13 June 2026
“Every detail has been thought through”
Many hands make light work – and that’s exactly what’s happening in the preparations for the 36th Marveld Tournament. A massive amount of work, hundreds of hours put in by volunteers. And everyone is doing their part with a smile. Board member Frank Walterbos is even walking around the sports hall – now transformed into a theatre hall – with a big grin on Thursday afternoon, just a few hours before the joint sponsor evening of Grol and the tournament unofficially kicks off the event. With no fewer than 600 guests!
A Unique Challenge
It’s always a huge task, but this year it’s been an even bigger challenge: the sports hall underwent a major renovation last year, resulting in a complete transformation. All the athletes who use the facility are full of praise, but for Frank, it’s still uncharted territory, as Louis van Gaal might say: “This is a different kettle of fish.” But Frank is no stranger to a challenge and has, once again, organised everything down to the last detail in advance.
Wish List
“As an organisation, we were involved in the planning process for the sports hall and its layout from the very beginning. We were kept in the loop at all times and were even able to submit our wish list, such as requests for power outlets in specific areas. I was also informed about the new ceiling. That’s where we always hang the 12 banners of the participating clubs. So I approached Rob Wildenborg and Niek Schovers from WELGRO to see if they could help. They sorted it out perfectly, so that by Wednesday evening, the banners were hanging exactly as I had envisioned.”
The kitchen setup for all the meals during the tournament also had to be rethought: “We used to have the kitchen in a recess, but that’s no longer there. So we came up with a new layout. And that fits perfectly too. It’s a bit more spacious now. Overall, we have more square footage anyway. Every detail has been thought through. We were already able to access the sports hall on Tuesday evening, which saved us a lot of work on Wednesday and Thursday. On Wednesday, they started setting up the sound system, a team began laying the floor covering, and at 7 PM, the reinforcements arrived to set up the tables and chairs.”
Relaxed
Despite the bigger challenge, the job was surprisingly relaxed, Frank reflects. “I’ve actually never experienced it this smoothly – and I didn’t leave anything to chance. Everything with the catering, led by Carry Walterbos, and Hans and Ineke van Halm, is running like clockwork.”
Frank is proud of his people in the sports hall: “In total, I have about 20 helpers assisting with the setup and similar tasks. During the tournament, around 70 people take care of the catering and everything that goes with it – including the 12 beverage crate carriers at the sponsor evening.”
Despite the bigger challenge, the job was surprisingly relaxed, Frank reflects. “I’ve actually never experienced it this smoothly – and I didn’t leave anything to chance. Everything with the catering, led by Carry Walterbos, and Hans and Ineke van Halm, is running like clockwork.” Frank is proud of his people in the sports hall: “In total, I have about 20 helpers assisting with the setup and similar tasks. During the tournament, around 70 people take care of the catering and everything that goes with it – including the 12 beverage crate carriers at the sponsor evening.”
