Raymond van Meenen Enjoys Returning to Groenlo: “As a Football Fan, It’s Simply Wonderful to Be Here”
14 June 2026For many regular visitors to the Marveld Tournament, Raymond van Meenen is a familiar face. The KNVB’s Manager of Referee Affairs for Professional Football has been coming to Sportpark Den Elshof for many years. His first visit to Groenlo dates back to 1994, when he came with Feyenoord. Later, he returned as a referee and has since been involved in various roles at the Marveld Tournament.
Nowadays, van Meenen comes to Groenlo to enjoy international top-level football. “I’ve been coming here for over 30 years now. Over time, you naturally build a connection with the tournament and the people here. I’m here with my family, my brother, and my parents, so it also has a family feel to it. But above all, I’m a football fan. If you love football, you just want to be here. That’s why the Marveld Tournament is always circled in red in my calendar.” He emphasizes that this weekend, he is not here in an official KNVB capacity. “This weekend, I’m mainly a supporter. I’m not working, and I’m leaving the supervision of the referees to others. What makes this tournament special is that you see youth teams from different football cultures here. That leads to fantastic matches and interesting contrasts.”
The Tournament Is on Solid Ground
Over the years, van Meenen has seen the Marveld Tournament continue to grow. In his view, the current setup is on solid ground. “The strength of the Marveld Tournament lies in its continuity. The organization has found a formula that works: a strong field of participants, a good match schedule, and enough time for recovery. The fact that the tournament has been successfully organized in the same way for years speaks for itself.” According to van Meenen, the tournament’s strong reputation is also evident in the referees who come to Groenlo every year. Having referees from professional football at a U15 tournament is by no means a given. “It’s not a given—especially not at a U15 tournament. The fact that referees from professional football are eager to officiate here says a lot about the reputation and quality of the Marveld Tournament.”
For young referees, the tournament is also a valuable learning experience. Not only because they officiate high-level matches, but also because they encounter different football cultures. “The rules of the game are the same everywhere, but the way football is experienced varies. A Brazilian team plays differently than a German or Dutch team. These differences make the tournament particularly valuable for young referees. They learn to handle different playing styles, emotions, and expectations.”
Talented Referees
For young referees aspiring to reach professional football, there is a lot to learn in Groenlo. However, according to van Meenen, the domestic league remains the most important benchmark. That’s where talented referees must consistently prove themselves. “We also use a scouting system for referees, similar to football clubs. We track potential talents in the Dutch leagues. If there are good referees among them, we follow them more closely. If they’re really good, they can join our talent program.”
When evaluating young referees, the KNVB looks at more than just faultless decisions. “It’s not just about making the right call. We also look at how a referee sells that decision. Can they communicate clearly? Do they create acceptance? Do they exude natural authority? Sometimes, you have to make unpopular decisions and stand by them convincingly.”
Positive Environment
Although talented referees continue to emerge, the pool of new talents has dwindled in recent years. “Talented referees still come forward, but the group we can select from has become smaller. And the larger the pool, the greater the chance of discovering exceptional talent.” For van Meenen, it is therefore important that the refereeing profession remains attractive and that referees are well-supported. “At the end of the day, football is about fun, development, and respect. This applies to players, but just as much to referees. Only in a positive environment can people develop, and only then can we retain enough talent for the future.”
