RSC Anderlecht are looking for host families for young players: it is An honour to help build on their way to the top

Brussels Just champion played and good results at school. It may not be for Matthias Pieklak (12) and Jérôme Arens (13), both active in the U13 of RSC Anderlecht. We went along with the family of Linsey Wyns and Cédric Vanlulle, which plays an important role in the daily life of the young football players.

Matthias and Jérôme staying since september last year with a host family in Sint-Pieters-Leeuw, close to the training centre of their football club RSC Anderlecht. They are cared for by Linsey and Cédric, a couple with two children. “I am a teacher at the Sint-Niklaasinstituut down the road here and know how difficult the combination with school is at that level. By them to catch, we have to make it all a lot haalbaarder for them,” explains Linsey their choice for the initiative.

The combination of school and football at this level is not easy. By them here at catch, we have to make it all a lot haalbaarder for the boys

Linsey Wyns

Shared enthusiasm

Matthias and Jérôme feel good with their host family. “They do well at Anderlecht and their school results are even better than ever, despite the transition to high school”, say the parents of the two players. “Also with us, there was uncertainty in advance, because you give your child is yet in a certain sense. But the click with Linsey and Cédric was there, and we can't think of a better family to propose.”

You can give your child, in a certain sense, the uncertainty was so large advance. But the click with Linsey and Cédric was there. We can't think of a better family to propose

Parents of Matthias and Jérôme

For Linsey and Cédric, this is however only their first season as a host family. “When people ask us why we do this, we have no ready answer. It appealed to us and we are gone. In the beginning it is a bit puzzling, but you get a lot of satisfaction, especially when you see how well Jerome and Matthias do. They always come with the smile at home. Also our contact with the parents is going well. We send each other lots of pictures and go occasionally together something to eat...”

Leander Dendoncker

Many professional footballers went to Matthias and Jerome in purple-and-white, such as Leander Dendoncker and Jérémy Doku. Only the number of host families is limited. Therefore, it is RSCA on the lookout for new, motivated people that young talents want to help at their way to the top: “We find especially families in the region who already have experience with children, for example teachers and (ex-)teachers, or couples who have children of their own,” the Pedagogical cell of Anderlecht on the selection criteria. There is also a boarding school, where players of Anderlecht can go: “But for younger players, we prefer host families. It is not easy to keep your familiar environment behind. The warmth of a host family offers a great value and makes the step smaller.”

Linsey and Cédric are already looking forward to next season. They have advice for other people who would offer as a host family? “It just feels good to do this, the satisfaction is great. You do this not to get rich, but to help build on the success and the happiness of young people. Two sporty boys in full growth there, of course, extra costs involved, especially in terms of nutrition. Therefore, we receive, of course, an expense allowance, which is all very correctly”, they decide.

anyone Who's interested to apply as a host family or have any further questions, you can call the number 02/528 88 50 or email us at host@rscanderlecht.be.